This could have been a QOTD: what post (or posts) first got you hooked on CC? I confess I cannot recall the exact one, but among the very earliest ones I distinctly remember thinking “Wow, this site is next level!” was Ingvar’s article about the Volvo wagons’ rear doors. The awkward nature of those doors hadn’t struck me up to that point, but it’s one of those things that cannot be unseen once pointed out.
That epiphany, both about the Volvo doors and CC being a treasure trove of automotive information, took place back in 2014. Yes, it’s been ten years. And now that I live in a place where classic Volvo wagons – many of them in pristine condition – are literally everywhere, I feel it is only right to celebrate this anniversary with a scrumptious mustard yellow 240 GL.
Things were different back in 2014, weren’t they? Well, they certainly were for me. I was living in Myanmar at the time and missing seeing familiar European cars, such as older Peugeots, Citroëns, Fiats, BMWs and, you guessed it, Volvos. Not only did CC provide me with pictures of real cars in actual use, just like the ones I remembered, but the posts brought new information, historical anecdotes and personal experience to the mix. Hooked.
And there was the comment section. Back then, it was pretty wild and a majority of posts elicited several long (and sometimes acrimonious) tirades and discussion chains, as well as corrections, humorous additions and yet more personal experience. But it was all the more reason to get hooked: not only did the posts themselves contain a bunch of amazing stuff, but the CCommunity was active and reactive. It’s less common these days, sadly. But every now and then, the CC of yore comes back for more.
I’m just as guilty (if not more) as anybody as regards comments. My own contributions in this field have markedly dwindled over the years, so I’m not pointing fingers here. But the fact is that when I discovered CC, it was so great that it compelled me to do something I almost never do: sign up and join – as a commenter. This eventually led to me contributing a few posts, but getting yours truly out of the lurkzone was the hard part.
So what about this Volvo, which I’ve not yet even touched upon in over 500 words? Unlike the great majority of older foreign cars, the 240 series were sold new in RHD only. This one is about as clean as they get, though the colour of the seats leads me to suspect its glorious yellow hue is a later addition, just like a number of other features.
The central stop light makes this a post 1989 car for sure, though. With models like this, whose production run lasted for many years (i.e. 1974-1993, if we’re not counting the nearly identical 145 that preceded it), the potential to dress up a later car as an earlier one is extensive. I see it on Minis and Beetles here all the time. Works better on this Volvo, in my opinion.
But opinions are like… well, you know. Everybody’s got one. The beauty of the CCommunity is that, with a few (fortunately rare) exceptions, disagreements tend to remain civil and good-natured. Given how dreadful many corners of the web can be, CC’s continued existence provides a vital outlet for those of us who don’t fancy being Internet warriors every time we go online. Why can’t we all pretend to get along?
The other thing about this retro-ified 240 wagon is the bright trim on those famous doors, which highlights the famous rear window problem quite starkly. Made me think of that CC post immediately when I saw this Volvo a couple of years ago. Many, many more 240 wagons and saloons have crossed my path since, some will have their day on CC. This one was special, though, as it prompted something beyond the CC Effect: it reminded me of the site itself, and how its contributors and commenters have shaped how I’ve experienced the past decade. Here’s to the next ten years, friends!
Related posts:
Classic Automotive History: The Volvo Rear Door Dilemma, by Ingvar Hallstrom
Curbside Classic: 1978 Volvo 245DL – The Quintessential Volvo, by Tom Klockau
1976 Volvo 245 DL — Bringing Hans Home, An August Road Trip, by Jeff Sun
CC Outtake: Ready For The Flood, by PN
CC Outtake: Volvo 245 Wagon Circle Track Racer – The Official Race Car Of Eugene, by PN
CC Outtake: Chopped Volvo 245 – How To Frighten Small Children, by Dave Skinner
COAL: 1985 Volvo 245 Turbo the First – Rustic Charm and Squash Soup, by Daniel Stern
COAL: 1985 Volvo 245 Turbo the Second – Oops, I Did It Again, by Daniel Stern
COAL: My 1980 Volvo 245, by JohnLi
COAL: 1984 Volvo 245 Diesel – The RWD Diesel Stick-Shift Brown Station Wagon Mythical Beast of the Internet, by Evan Reisner
COAL: 1987 Volvo 245 – Practically Sensible and Serenely Safe, by JunkHarvester
Miniature Curbside Classic: 1983 Volvo 245GLT Promotional By Stahlberg, by Tom Klockau
Thanks T87 for another Japanese curbside classic. Oh, these were so common up until only a few years ago.
About this car: that LH rear door (slightly different colour) would annoy me a lot. I cannot remember seeing the B and C post painted black, always was the main car colour – but maybe in the final years it was different. Seems the driver dislikes wearing seat belts.
It is pretty amazing Volvo never bothered to make that tiny change to the rear door window frames in all those 25 years. I am sure there must have been enthusiasts who did make that change, if only to be the star at any Volvo gathering?
Despite, or maybe because I worked at a Volvo specialist in my spare time in my late teens, I never got attracted much to Volvos. A bit too dull, bold, sturdy, massive, common. But it is always nicer to see something like this on the street than any other newer car.
” … bold, sturdy, massive …” That’ s why we love them.
But as a confessing 240-aficionado, t h i s cobbled yellow specimen almost makes me feel sick.
” … bold, sturdy, massive …” That’ s why we love them.
I see many people appreciate that. A main reason why SUVs are so popular now, big and bold.
Don’t you want a car to have flair, elegance, be graceful and stylish? It seems these words holds no value anymore to the buying public.
“Don’t you want a car to have flair, elegance, be graceful and stylish?”
Qualities represented by the 240 as well – in its own way. The perfect synthesis. That’s the secret.
Yes, old, turdly and crassive, that’s just so.
Oh! Sorry, I had my glasses off.
They’re not for me, but I think you have it just right, midsommar – they ARE somehow, undefinably, the synthesis you describe.
Yes, the more one looks at it, the more little things just don’t add up on this particular car. But hey, I personally feel that these cars just beg for the kinds of little improvements that can be added from newer (or older) models within the range over time. Some of it’s due to various pieces being unobtainium, other times just because the owner wants the newer or older bit. Whatever…it’s your car.
I prefer the older – or maybe original – shade of that yellow. This one seems a bit off shade-wise to me. I do have those exact same seats in mine…only these are amazingly pristine. Either the owner spent a fortune on new foam or the car is seldom sat in. Regardless, I’d love to have those seats.
Paul’s General Motors Deadly Sins appeared to draw many new readers. And much lively debate. His essays were very well researched, and written. Plenty of p*ssed GM fans. lol
A nice Volvo wagon despite the mis-match between exterior and interior colors. For years I have looked for a 90-93 Volvo 240 wagon and have come up short. One reason is I wanted a wagon and two having driven a 92 240 sedan I was charmed. Of course, my main sticking point is that I wanted a stick shift and man are they hard to find. Now they are very difficult locating in the Bay Area in good condition as typical in a wagon. So I gave up my stick shift pursuit to make it easier on me and it finally worked. Wagons are almost as beat up as trucks from the prior century.
Dear T87.
Apart for the constant wondering what has taken you from France to Myanmar, Bangkok and Tokyo and my interest in all things Japan since my son settled there several years ago and we now have Japanese family, I can say that’s its your writings over the past 10 years that have made me a regular reader of CC (and that’s not to take anything away from all the other compelling contributors, especially the esteemed Mr Niedermeyer).
So, I thank you for your dedication to entertaining me and educating me and just simply keeping me fascinated. I raise a glass to the next 10 years.
Oh and what a subject – my late father in law covered 330000 miles in his Volvo wagon and I drove it on its last journey to the great Volvo heaven
Cheers back to you, Owl!
Looks like Tokyo will be the place I call home for the foreseeable future. Couldnt have picked a better city, and not just from a CC point of view.
The blue interior seems very appropriately matched to the yellow paint: the Swedish national colors. The rear door thing bugged me on the 145, but in the later years of the 245 that kind of faded compared to so many of the other trim details that always looked wrong and in the case of my Mom’s 1986, didn’t hold up well. The body side molding, the plastic wheel covers, the 27 pieces of trim around the bumpers and wheel arches, those weird caps on the D pillars. I’ll take a simple P210 or a V70 over a 245, thanks.
For me it was Tom Halter’s history of automotive air conditioning, which someone linked to on another message board. I’m still in awe of it.
I have always liked square practical cars, and they don’t get any squarer than these, but surely they could have fixed the rear door window. Maybe they should have changed the changed the roofline of the sedan to match the wagon?
As for what first brought me to CC, it was an article about the Austin 1800. It was my first car and there is not much on the internet about them. There was also another article comparing the Austin to a Volvo 544, which was actually my final choice when I bought the Austin. What kept my interest was the interesting and civil discussions, where a difference of opinion was encouraged. Unfortunately rather rare.
I perchanced to land upon CC about ten years ago too: I think it was a Peugeot 504 article. Why, thought I, what sort of place is this, that has long articles about slightly dumpy French mittleklasse transport from 40 years ago, something of interest to no-one quite normal? I think I may have found my home! And I had, too.
It is entirely apposite that a ten-year CC anniversary should be marked – and some might argue that that is exactly the word – by AFV200 (another Volvo 200). It is even finer that there is considered commentary upon it yet: like the plonky old Volvos themselves, the supply of views seems inexhaustible, as rightly it should be.
So a fine glass I raise to you, Prof T87, for all of the entermation – for it is surely beyond that grubby concept, infotainment – you have provided for us all. And, of course, to Prof Neidemeyer himself too, for starting the whole thing, and, apart from the sheer learning he has spread and promoted here, for working so hard to keep it a place of robust decency. One only needs a glancing acquaintance of the rest of the internet to understand the inestimable value of that.
May the next ten years be the best yet. Even with the semi-annual AFV’s, as it is not arguable that they shall outlive us all.
FWIW, today (Feb. 13) is actually CC’s 13th birthday. Too bad it’s not Friday.
I really enjoy the comments too – I wish we had the ability to “like” individual items.
Nice work, TATRA87.
I had a 1987 Volvo 240 DL wagon with manual transmission. Wish I still did.
here it is…
Where is ist ? Can’t see anything – Let us see “perlan”.
I think it was a link to the German Deadly Sins that got me hooked.
BTW Justy, that Pug 504 was now really 50 years ago! I’ve recently been through a period of looking into why French cars of that time seemed so good, compared the the detritus Britain was churning out at the time. No wonder they became popular here.
CC is such a wonderful starting-off point if one suddenly wonders how Peugeot could make a gears-in-sump engine work rather well (204) yet BMC (Maxi) made an utter pigs’ breakfast of it. Thus, the rabbit hole appears…
‘Twas 40 ten years back, but!
Oh, this site, and the Holes of Rabbit. It can become hard to find time for living.