The car that has come to define Volvo even today, one of the most distinguished vehicles, the 200 series, has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. We missed the actual date by a month, as the 240 was introduced in August 1974, but Volvo's recent video brought this golden milestone to our attention. It's worth revisiting this remarkable vehicle.
Based on the 140 series that debuted in the mid-1960s, Volvo's unmistakably boxy 200 series wasn't a revolutionary car. However, with its crumple zones, three-point seatbelts, and other crucial safety features, it played a significant role in reshaping how cars were constructed. The 240 was also the first Volvo to feature the renowned overhead-cam "Redblock" engine, known for its legendary durability.
While these cars are universally referred to as the "240," that name wasn't officially adopted until later in the model's lifecycle. Initially, there were the four-cylinder 242, 244, and 245, which came with two, four, and five doors respectively, along with the 262, 264, and 265. Volvo intended to phase out the 200 series in the mid-1980s with the introduction of the 700 series—and it did halt production of the six-cylinder 260—but the 240 continued to sell. The last 240 rolled off the assembly line in 1993, with over 2.8 million units produced.
The 240 established its own market segment. It wasn't a luxury car, but it was undeniably more upscale than other mass-market options. Globally, the 240 garnered a devoted following, and its exceptional build quality and reliability ensured that these cars remained on the road for many decades. Even now, you can still see people using 240s as daily drivers, though their numbers are gradually decreasing.
In the United States, the 240 is one of those cars that everyone has a connection to. If you didn't own one yourself, you likely know someone who did. Even 50 years later, the 240 remains the quintessential Volvo. Every vehicle the Swedish company has produced since owes a great deal to this iconic model.
