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September 7, 2021 11:11 am by

Well-Preserved 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo Sedan

1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan passenger side

For September 7, 2021, our used car find is this remarkably well-preserved 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan with under 100,000 miles. It’s offered on Craigslist by a private seller in San Luis Obispo California for $4500 or best offer.

Here’s what makes this one special.

Introduction

The 700-series Volvo debuted in 1982 as a replacement for the venerable 200-series, which dates back to the early 1970s. While the 700 improved upon the 200 in many ways, Volvo ended up keeping both in production for another decade before the subsequent 900-series was introduced.

Volvo initially brought just the top-of-the-line 760 model to the US. On the outside, it featured a controversial angular design by famed Volvo designer Jan Wilsgaard, complemented on the inside by a spacious and richly appointed cabin. The earliest cars were fitted with a lackluster V6, which doesn’t quite live up to Volvo’s reputation for durability. However, Volvo later dropped in a turbocharged and intercooled variant of its legendary “redblock” inline four, and that is the one to get.

The Listing

This particular example boasts the desirable mill, a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder (B230FT) making 162 horsepower. That doesn’t sound like much today, but it’s plenty to motivate the stylish Swede, which weighs in at a relatively svelte 3300 lbs. And the engine is famously tunable, with some getting upwards of 300 hp from it, turning these rear-drive boxes into surprisingly capable drift cars.

This one sports a four-speed automatic, which suits the engine well, allowing the driver to keep the revs up and the turbo on boost while accelerating through the gears. A four-speed manual with overdrive was available but rarely specced — especially on the 760, which was the top trim.

Nice 700-series examples have all but disappeared from the classifieds these days. Most have been completely used up. But this car is quite the exception. A two-owner specimen since new, it’s lived in the mild Central Coast region of California all its life, and it even sports period CA license plates.

The seller reports that it’s been garaged when not in use, and we have no reason to doubt that. Inside and out, it looks showroom fresh, and we especially love the red leather interior. Sadly, we only get a peek at that flashy color in the listing photos, such as the one below.

1985 Volvo 760 Turbo interior

In the words of the seller…

Two owner 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo in original condition. The paint is glossy like new as it has always been garaged in San Luis Obispo, California and is rust free. It was never a daily driver and used only for family trips by the original owner. The interior is immaculate with Connolly leather upholstery and shows no signs of wear. It has 15″ Aero type wheels with new Michelin radial tires. It has a fully automatic climate control system but the A/C does not blow cold. It has a two position power sun roof with tilt function. The dual outside mirrors are heated and remotely power adjusted. Both driver and passenger front seats are heated. It has fully integrated electronic cruise control. It has an AM-FM cassette stereo system w/twin front and rear speakers with a five-band graphic equalizer. The antenna is power activated as are the windows. The vehicle comes with all the original owner’s manuals and a complete history of service and repairs. The rubber trim around the doors and trunk are like new and there are no water leaks. The trunk contains a tool kit that is complete and has never been used. There are a few minor scratches on the paint and are not very visible.

Will accept cash or PayPal. Make me an offer!

The primary flaw with this one, as noted by the seller, is non-functional AC, which could be a simple fix. Or not. Likely, the car has its original R12 refrigerant and will need to be converted to R134 when restoring that functionality. That could get pricey.

This car also has the Nivomat self-leveling rear suspension, which can also be a trouble spot. Before handing over any cash, we recommend having the setup (and the rest of the car) checked by a specialist to ensure everything is functioning properly. Replacement Nivomat dampers run over $300 each.

Fortunately, the seller seems to have factored these issues into the asking price already. Just $4500 for such a nice example is quite reasonable, bordering on cheap. We doubt it will last long.

Details and Specs

  • 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan
  • 99,959 miles
  • 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine (B230FT)
  • 162 hp @ 4000 rpm
  • 195 lb-ft @ 3450 rpm
  • four-speed automatic transmission
  • rear-wheel drive (RWD)
  • Graphite Metallic exterior
  • red leather interior
  • for sale by owner
  • $4500 (or best offer)
  • San Luis Obispo, California
  • YV1DX8741F2194971

Photos

1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan driver's side 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan front 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan front 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan rear 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan rear 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan gauge cluster 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan engine bay 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo sedan window sticker

 

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