Gorgeous '76 Volvo 245 DL Wagon 4-Speed on BAT - in Seattle and auction ends June 3rd

[Baz]

Really well preserved example. LOVE the colour!

Listing Details

Chassis: VC24545E1095006
100k Miles Shown, TMU
2.1-Liter Inline-Four
4-Speed Manual Transmission w/OD
Cumberland Yellow Paint
Oxen Brown Vinyl Upholstery
14" Steel Wheels
Kenwood Stereo Head Unit
Rear Window Wiper
Roof Rack
Locking Glove Compartment
IPD Rear Overload Coil Spring
Spare Parts Included
Partial Service Records
Owner's Manual

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-volvo-245-dl/

[Tobra]

You want someone to drive it to you, is that it?

Ooh, that is a good color.

You trying to get me divorced,posting stuff like that

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Tobra

You want someone to drive it to you, is that it?

Ooh, that is a good color.

You trying to get me divorced,posting stuff like that

Ha - wish I had room - and the proper time to give a beauty like her.

FWIW, looks like an very active seller on this auction. He's already responded to my comment about getting a photo of the inside rear w/back seats down - what I call the "money shot" for these cars.

He's already posted info & photos about replacing a leaking steering rack. Apparently a one off for this year, so a bit of an undertaking.

I'm not sure you will be find one in this kind of condition that's had the restoration care it's had anytime soon, if at all. Hard to say but for now a guy can dream....

[Alan A]

Gawd that’s a blast from the past. We had one in that color when I was a kid.
I threw up in it.

In my defense I was only about 8 and suffered from horrible car sickness as a kid.

[Baz]

Just checked and auction up to $7,777.00. I'm sure it will easily double that by end of auction.

I have no affiliation other than just a fan of this brand and style vehicle.

With that....here is some info the seller posted....

A brief history:
To me, this wagon is the holy grail. A love-at-first-sight garage-find that was a paused restoration. I’ve put in well over $10k of maintenance and improvements since September on top of many also done by the prior owner (please see receipt pics).

This is another local PNW example that lived in Pulsbo, Washington on the peninsula and was acquired by the previous owner who said, “I’ve searched for this wagon for 15 years.” If you’ve attended the IPD show in Portland, you might have seen this wagon at a couple events.

A huge thank you to @PDXBryan for the lead to Dave@Wagonmeister for direction on tracking down factory correct upholstery. It doesn’t exist in brown, folks. “Oxen” embossing is the absolute key to getting it looking factory correct. Thank you Dave for that important tip.

Punkin is an absolute joy to drive. Finally!! A 4-speed with overdrive that will actually pass, not just keep up with, freeway traffic. 75 mph at about 2800 rpm and is chomping at the bit for more.

Anyhoo, I’m around all week. Very responsive and guilty as charged of being perhaps “too chatty.” Please feel free to ask anything you want. Comments are welcome and encouraged, as are personal inspections. Many more photos uploaded throughout the week. Cheers!
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[Arizona_928]

I agree.
That's a good color

[ZOO]

My third car! Mine was blue, and it may have had more fiberglass and bondo in the lower third than steel. Over 400 000 miles when I got it at 17. I think it ended up eating a valve . . . I can't remember now what happened.

[Chocaholic]

Nice…but like many vehicles of interest on BAT, it will sell for considerably more than logic would support. Have been jonesing for an R60/2 and have bid well into the discomfort zone on several…only to be handily outbid by others with more money than logic.

[KFC911]

^^^ More $$$ than cents .... btdt

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Nice…but like many vehicles of interest on BAT, it will sell for considerably more than logic would support. Have been jonesing for an R60/2 and have bid well into the discomfort zone on several…only to be handily outbid by others with more money than logic.

Originally Posted by KC911

^^^ More $$$ than cents .... btdt

I hear ya, guys.....but of all the things we can spend money on......why not indulge in a time machine?

When it comes to making substantial purchases, it will come down to your household budget, I suppose. What is disposable income - what is not.

Everyone gonna have a different take.

While I don't consider myself anyway near as wealthy as many others here, I'm not leveraged out nor am I worried about my economic future.

My main problem is not having room for another vehicle nor the time it would require to properly enjoy it.

Also, as some may remember, I bought that fantastic '97 Volvo 850 5 speed wagon just 2 years ago and it's such a great looking Volvo wagon, loads of fun to drive, and has a ton of modern features including side air bags and air conditioning!

[speeder]

Super clean Volvo. Between myself and friends in Minnesota, there have been many old 245 wagons owned. Mostly rust buckets but they are indestructible with basic maintenance and have great heaters, (essential in MN.).

While it's in amazing condition, I'm not in love with the color. When I worked at a Volvo dealer 30 years ago, I picked up a '79 245 in that leaf green color, (non-metallic), after a buffing, it looked like brand new. I think I paid $700 for it, was a trade-in and needed some catching up on normal upkeep. I remember a tech who was a buddy changing the timing belt in about 30 minutes start-to-finish for me. Btw, all Volvo B23 "red brick" motors are non-interference...a broken timing best just makes it coast to the side of the road until you install a new one.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Baz

Also, as some may remember, I bought that fantastic '97 Volvo 850 5 speed wagon just 2 years ago and it's such a great looking Volvo wagon, loads of fun to drive, and has a ton of modern features including side air bags and air conditioning!

Remember?

It was the first time I took a hard look at a Volvo. Love your 850.

Certain cars just make sense to specific people, same as it every was.

Me? Targa's. In the old days Targa's were dismissed as ugly and "flexible". A good friend of mine, another 911 guys but a Targa denier basically said the above to my grill semi in jest yars ago. I responded that his wife was one of those two, his choice: IN jest of course.

My older sister had a green version, probably very similar to Speeder's description.

She drove it through med school and for many years after. She knows nothing about cars so the 245 fit her well and had great a/c, as mentioned, for the South. She was also a horse woman: She carried around more tack and horse stuff I don't think anyone ever sat in the back seat.

[masraum]

No one ever accused one of the older Volvos as being "gorgeous".

Safe, absolutely. Swedish, also yes. Gorgeous? Volvo is probably the least gorgeous think to come out of Sweden.

The newer models are actually some of the best looking Volvos ever made.

There were some good looking Volvos in the 50s and 60s, and a few may have hung on into the 70s.

[speeder]

I agree. ^^^

"Gorgeous" is really stretching it. Maybe, "utilitarian?" In good condition, none the less.

[Baz]

Point taken on the adjective "Gorgeous" I used, fellas.

But you know what they say. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

I dated a girl once - and she was one of the few that I seriously thought I might enjoy being married to.

She had the greenest eyes you ever saw. Really cute personality too and loved going to shows.

She took me to a place once called Renningers - sorta like a flea market. Picked out a piece of metal art covered in rust and said "I like rusty things."

Really made me think about how we think about things and maybe - just maybe - there are times when a person's opinion may be 180 degrees different from many others.

She drove a 993 cab and also did track events with the PCA in an early 911. Just an amazing human.....

[beepbeep]

I worked for Swedish military 20 years ago from time to time. They had dozen of those, painted light blue (poverty-spec inside though, no leather or stereo). As they were only driven on premises, odo was really low...like 20k miles. I remember that firefighting team torched two of them on some public event to demonstrate their ability.

[wdfifteen]

I really like mid 70s Volvo wagons they are the perfect size. Drop a modern turboed V-6 in one and you'd have a great car. Not sure I'd want a baby poo yellow one though.

[Baz]

3 days left - up to only $8K.....

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Baz

3 days left - up to only $8K.....

Only 8k... lol

Not many buyers in the demographics....

[Baz]

Sold for $14,750 on 6/3/23

Originally Posted by Baz

Just checked and auction up to $7,777.00. I'm sure it will easily double that by end of auction.

I was close!