Volvo 244 - the best Volvo ever made (Volvo 240)

Thank you from the bottom of my dried up old heart to my friend James, who supplied all the brochure information used in this video today. James if you're reading this (which you probably aren't) I'll get you some bizarrely flavoured crisps to say thanks when I see you.

Volvo 244

To set the cultural landscape of Britain and where this car landed, the 70s was a tricky time for automotive. There were strikes at BL, build quality across most manufacturers was a bit hit and miss and a decade of malaise in the world of automotive had left many buyers feeling cheesed off and jaded.

So when the 240 series lands, it’s more than just a breath of fresh air. It takes the standards, expectations and industry norms and shakes it down and gives a series of cars which in Volvo’s words are built for the individual.

Although you’ve got various cars including the 260, we’re going to focus on the 244 today as that’s what we’re testing and was the most popular of the range.

There were two alternative power units available for the 244 and the DL model as we’re testing today was fitted with a 100 hp DIN version, whereas the GL was fitted with the 123 hp DIN version with continuous injection fuel supply and fully transistorised ignition system. However despite the differences, both engines were 2.1 litre capacity with four cylinders. The aluminium alloy cylinder head is the cross flow type and incorporates an overhead camshaft, which offers better response and low speed pulling power.

It’s worth mentioning the cross flow type cylinder head also reduces the risk of vapour locks and running on and both engines could be run on economy grade fuel - what more could you ask for?!

This particular example has been fitted with the 3 speed auto - but the car was also available with a 4 speed manual.

The 244 by 1978 is one of the UK’s best selling 2 litre exec cars and the reasons for this were numerous. There was the quality of construction, reliability in a world where it was commonplace to see fairly new motors breaking down or suffering silly avoidable faults and unrivalled durability.

In fact, should anyone question the quality and durability, here’s an interesting statistic from 1979. The Swedish Motor Vehicle Inspection Company which was independent of Volvo stated the probable life expectancy of a Volvo was 16.6 years - which was almost two years longer than the next nearest make. And that was benchmarked across all available cars in Sweden at the time - not just home grown motors.

Another fantastic thing about these Volvos was that rust proofing was acknowledged and embraced. Volvo built exposed body pressings of hot-dipped galvanised sheet steel - With 3.5 square metres used in every car.

[darrenwebster]

These were THE road TANK to have..! The hydraulic buffers in the rubberized 'safety bumpers' were heavier than most makes complete bumper..!! The paint was thicker than rivals steel panels..!! A total tank. The estate was THE antique dealer's vehicle to have... Brilliant.!

[acl]

One of my favourite cars… I would love an early saloon with round headlights 🙏

[LesterLovesWatches]

For just getting in and driving to Spain it’s either this or the W123 for me. Both great 70s cars, smooth and relatively safe.

[MarkLeeds]

These were great cars for towing in the seventies! I loved the estates! [and 262 coupe]

[highwayman]

Excellent video Steph - brought back many memories. Parents had a 1981 264 - it was effortless. From memory, the passenger vanity mirror is inside the glovebox. It’s under the flap on the inside of the glovebox lid, rather than the sun visor. I could be wrong, it was 40 years ago!

[bruceholmes]

I had a 240 'Torslander' . the seat was so comfy !! and i loved the massive flashing seat belt light

[carbuff]

I had a friend who drove a Volvo like that one, a green one, registered SOF 819S. Sadly, this friend I had passed away some 30 years ago, her name was Lilian and she worked on our local Council. I also know that a broadcast journalist who was a regular reporter on our local TV news magazine programme, he has also since passed away, he was John Swallow, born in 1939 and died in February 2008 at the age of 68. His Volvo was a 244DL as well, registered EFK 244T. Great stuff coming from your channel Steph, and proper straightforward as well. Keep driving.

[musicismytherapy]

Another great video! Reminds me of when 5 of us with 4 dogs and all our luggage went 250 miles to Cornwall in an estate version of one of these. 😊

[davidbrown]

A brilliant example of a surviving 244! Thanks Steph. I have a lot of childhood memories of these. My uncle had a 265, as kids myself, brother and my cousins, five of us in total used to ride in the boot! Different times eh. My dad bought a 240 GLT in 1990. G740 XRT. I remember it still had the same heater controls as your early example. A very solid car, comfortable leather interior. My dad traded it for an 850 in 1994. What is heartwarming is it still exists! It is currently SORN, the last MOT in 2020 recorded the mileage at 214k! If I had the space and the cash a 240 would certainly be in my car collection. Thanks again Steph 😊👍

[gjclark]

Use to have a s reg 240 many moons ago. That autobox is one of the best!
You forgot to mention of those safety bumpers, they have massive hydraulic buffers built in.
Great stuff again Steph👏👏👍

[Elvis-]

Brilliant! Just found your channel! My 1990 740 GLE was by far the best car I have owned to date. Miss it so much. All the best from Glasgow! 😁😁😁

[brentfairlie]

I agree Steph. Definitely one of Volvos best cars ever. Dependable, not fussy. Very practical. Very good but hey....

[bigsilewis]

My dad had the estate, I remember long holiday drives and riding in the back with our dogs

[mpersad]

What a great review of an iconic Volvo. My parents had a Volvo 144 followed by a 145. Us kids so wanted them to get a 244 or 245 but...they were just too expensive. So they bought a Citroen GSA. Not too shabby!😁

[billreed]

Hi from Canada! Great review as always. I’ve had many Volvos old and new but the 240 is my favourite I had a 84 245 turbo and my daughter currently has the last year 1993 245 that I hope she keeps forever. Oh also even the base model had a vanity mirror when you open the glovebox door it flips up. I was hoping you’d be surprised and spot it when you opened the glove box😂

[volvo]

Yes this is probably the pinnacle of automotive quality. Amongst other Volvos I own the grandchild of the 240, a 1999 Volvo S70, but everything in the interior is starting to fall apart. Though the quietness on motorway speeds is still great! On local roads you can hear lots of squaks and rattles, even in my 2011 car.
The rev counter in this car is a popular retrofit, hardly any 244 had one from new. And the reason the 244's suspension feels so well composed is because the seats are an integral part of it. I have never driven a car with such comfortable seats as a Volvo and Saab comes close as second. It is probably what the Swedes appreciate the most. 😊
Of course I have memories of a 244, my uncle had a 244 D6 with a six cilinder Volkswagen diesel engine and then a 245 in the early 1980s, before moving on to a 740.

[brentfairlie]

BTW. This excellent example is in a fab colour combination inside and out.

[chaddamp]

Great post thanks, I love my 21 year old V70 D5, its got 240000 miles and just recently I had to swap the battery which had lasted 19 years !!

[matslundstrom]

I've had a 1989 245 estate and a 1975 244, which was the first year they were made. I now have the 1969 145 my parents bought brand new. That early 244 felt stangely a bit halfway between the older and newer estates. Maybe due to the bakelite steering wheel and lack of a steering servo in the 1975 244.

[simonc]

Fabulous video, I loved these as a child, even though we never had one there was just something about them, I have sadly never owned a 240 but it is still a dream if I can find one that I like and can afford! I had a couple of the smaller 340/360 and loved them too. Love the Sunday morning videos x