1991 Volvo 245 SE Estate *Sold £4,000*

Description

• Lovely original condition
• Very good service history
• Cambelt replaced less than 1k miles ago
• Extremely impressive MOT History
• 2 Previous registered owners
• Huge History File

The Volvo 200 series is an executive-class model that remained in production for the best part of two decades – something of a rarity. The Mercedes-Benz W124 series 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, it remained on sale for the next 19 years. For a relatively upmarket range of saloons and estates, such longevity is very unusual.

As newer and 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 which is the model we have here) 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.

Background

This very late example Volvo 245 SE has two previous registered owners (three previous owners in total) and an interesting story behind it. Purchased by our vendor nearly eight years ago, it was originally owned by its first owner for 24 years. The story goes that he was duped by an unscrupulous garage owner (who we won’t name) into selling the car to him for £100, yes you read that correctly. He was advised that due to the exhaust emission readings it would not pass the MOT that the garage was carrying out.

The belief is that the car was going to be used as a banger racer but luckily the second owner, being somewhat of a Volvo aficionado, spotted it and convinced the garage owner to sell it to him, for quite a lot more than £100.

Although still extremely tidy and well looked after, he spruced it up some more, but couldn’t keep it, so sold it to a man on the Isle of Wight. He had the brakes completely rebuilt, but sadly his elderly father had problems getting in and out of the car, so it went to a local dealer.

That is when our current owner became its current custodian.  Unfortunately, with health catching up on him he can no longer use the car as he would like.

• First registered 30th October 1991
• Both Keys
• Current mileage 103k
• Original Manuals present
• Huge History file
• All previous MOTs present
• Only two minor MOT fails since 2005

Outside

It is very rare to find a 30-odd year-old car in such fantastic condition. Okay, there are a couple of blemishes here and there that we will come back to but just look at it. “Time warp original” condition is mentioned far too often in our industry, but this deserves to be described as just that.

Add to that, the Volvo 240 was always one of the best-built cars in its sector, with a reputation for outlasting many of its more rot-prone rivals. Although our vendor advises that he has spotted a little bubbling on the nearside rear arch he believes that that reputation is still intact – as there really isn’t any evidence to be seen anywhere else.

Visit our image gallery and you will see the deep metallic blue paintwork is indeed in great condition. As well as the previously mentioned rear quarter, there is a slight discolouring on the offside front wing, below the moulding, but our vendor explained he has no idea if that is from a previous repair and confirmed he has never had to carry our any bodywork during his ownership.  There is also a minor scratch to the nearside rear door, again below the moulding. Barring that it looks amazing for a 30-year-old car.

Keep walking around the car and you will see some black tape on the offside front headlamp. Again, he is unsure how that got there but it has now been removed and was doing nothing. Maybe left there during its last service as a technician tidied up some wiring? Who knows?

The bumpers are all straight and intact with only some minor scuffing to the nearside front and offside rear, easily tidied up to make this 240 an even more attractive example. The OEM Roof Rack will be supplied to the new owner.

Inside

About one-third of all 240s sold were the 245 estate models, which featured an extremely large cargo space of 41 cubic feet (1.2 m3). The 240 was also blessed with a strong and sturdy interior, whether that be leather, or cloth as we have here, and this interior presents fantastically well.

As can be seen, the blue velour seats are in fantastic condition with no rips or tears and minimal, if any, fading. The carpets look just as good having been protected by the hard cover carpet protectors that can be seen in the image gallery. The roof lining is just as well presented, and the door trims are also in wonderful condition.

Our vendor has shared that everything works as it should and the dashboard is as it should be – other than a more modern JVC stereo being fitted. The original stereo unit will be supplied with the 240 should the new owner wish to refit it.

A truly wonderful hark back to the 90s with the navy-blue velour.

We often see the interior careworn and neglected on these models. This is one of best we’ve seen.

Mechanicals

Although the word bombproof is synonymous with Volvo mechanicals, this one can be easily described that way. The images show the engine bay area is very tidy and clean; clearly the car has been looked after, and in our vendor’s words “given everything it needs whenever it needed it.”

Last serviced just prior to its current MOT, which expires in May 2024, and having had the cambelt replaced in January 2023 there really isn’t much to report other than we expect a lot of carefree mileage to be had by our winning bidder.

There is a huge file of receipts and paperwork with the car, probably too much to list but we are aware that the rear suspension struts were replaced in September 2022.

The engine pulls strongly, and the auto gearbox glides through the gears as smoothly as it should. A very well presented and looked after car that we expect will be trouble free for many more miles.

• Cambelt replaced last year
• Serviced and maintained prior to every MOT
• 103k mileage
• Recently replaced tailgate suspension struts
• Brakes all rebuilt prior to purchase
• Gearbox rebuilt 2017
• Almost perfect service history

Summary

The Volvo 240 was one of Volvo’s most successful models; today, it makes for a practical, well-built classic. This super example could be used as a daily driver or spend a small amount of effort and it will be a show pony. With the show season just around the corner this 245 Estate could be it.

Tremendously well looked after, you won’t go wrong whatever you choose to do with it.

Vehicle Location: Devon, EX5 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor

Have a question about this Volvo 245 SE Estate? Please contact the Evoke team at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.