BUYING GUIDE
An executive-class model that remains in production for the best part of two decades is something of a rarity. The W124-series Mercedes-Benz E-Class, for example, stayed around for just over 11 years, the Rover SD1 chalked up a decade-long career, and the longest-lived Ford Granada/Scorpio model managed barely nine years. The Volvo 240, however, is in a league of its own, launching in 1974 and remaining on sale for the next 19 years. For a relatively upmarket range of saloons and estates, such longevity is very unusual. But as newer, more advanced rivals came and went, the good old Volvo 240 plodded on with only relatively minor updates throughout its career. A combination of toughness, strength, safety and dependability won it many friends throughout its long run, ensuring that it became the proverbial classic in its own lifetime.
Based heavily on the already successful 140 series, the new 244 saloon of 1974 (plus the 245 estate that arrived the following year) featured more powerful overhead-cam engines in place of the old pushrod units, as well as mild restyling for the front and rear ends. Plenty of updates arrived over the years, with headlamps changing shape, bumpers shrinking, interiors getting upgraded and exterior trim evolving over time, but while all these minor changes kept the 240 feeling reasonably fresh, its appeal went much deeper than mere cosmetics.
CHOOSE YOUR MODEL
These days, the Volvo 240 series offers classic buyers the same attributes as it did when new, retaining its reputation for robustness and reliability. And with
