A brief guide to 200 styles

[TheJoyOfSix]

Here is a rough draft of a summary of 200 series bodystyles composed from various reference books etc. I am a little unfamiliar on the US models, and I believe that European and Antipodean models were similar. I have deliberatley not included engine/gearbox/spec levels as they differ so much depending on market. Your help in revising this article is appreciated.
If there is enough interest I will do one for 700/900 models. I'll try and add pics if requested


A Rough Guide to 200 Series Styles


1974

The 242/244 was launched upon the world based on the last generation 140 series having the same rear end with flat bootlid and a 4 panel taillight as the 142/144 or 245 having the same rear as the 145, a similar interior to the 140 but with different heater vents and the handbrake between the seats, and a new front end comprising 7” round headlights, flathood and a large eggcrate grille. Large ‘commando’ bumpers were fitted taking their style from the experimental VESC car.



The 264 was also launched in this year and was similar to the 240, but had 6 panel taillights, a bulged hood and vertical chrome grille and large rectangular headlights (except in US where 4 square lights were used)



1975

265 launched

262 launched, a 2 door version of the 264. After a run of approx 3300 the model was discontinued.


1977

262C launched. These were built by Bertone in Italy and had a lowered roof.


1979

240 range revised with new rear on 244’s with wrapover bootlid and wraparound 5 panel rear lights. Outside of the US a new front light arrangement was fitted consisting of large square lights for the DL and GL, and large rectangular lights for the GLE, GLT and Diesel. (all three models introduced in this year)

262’s/264’s gained the new rear but with 6 panel lights.

US models gained the new rear.


1980

Wheelbase on all models lengthened by 1cm


1981

Major revisions to all models.

In the US, all 240 models gained the 260 style bonnet and grille, DL’s and GL’s having 4 round lights, GLE, GLT<, Diesel and Turbo models gained the 4 square lights.

Outside of the US a new front end was fitted comprising flush fitting lights and indicators and new smaller plastic bumpers. 240 models continued with the flathood, 260’s retaining the raised bonnet.

A new dashboard was introduced to all models with a longer cowl over the instrument binnacle (also revised) and space for extra gauges.

262C discontinued


1983

Oustide the US 240’s now adopted the 260 bonnet but with a black plastic grille.


1985

260 discontinued


1986

All models now harmonised worldwide with the small bumpers, wraparound lights. New bonnet with wide but even bulge and new grille introduced. New bootlid with new design lock fitted to saloons.


1990

244 discontinued.

245 gains larger rear window.


1992

245 discontinued

[Hoggster]

We have 1992 244s here. Maybe even 1993 244s. I know there was the 240 'Classic Edition' in 1993 in addition to the regular 1993 240s. Limited to 4000 I think.

[socalsean]

I have a late model 1992 244 (240sedan). When I rev it...it goes vroooooooooooom!

socalsean

[TheJoyOfSix]

Ok, so the 244 continued till 1992 at least (must just be in the Uk that it was dropped in 1990), and I've just spotted that I'd put '92 down instead of 1993 as the last year for the 245 (stupid really as I know someone with a '93!).
Thanks for the help guys, as I said it is a rough draft and I'm not too sure of the N American details.
I'll wait for (no doubt) more errors to be pointed out before I edit it.

[Hoggster]

Yeah, I felt kinda bad posting corrections but I figured it was a draft and you'd be thankful for the input. Sounds like we're on the same wavelength.

[twotwodoors]

What rear did quad rounds come in? I got mine off a 79 wagon

[TheJoyOfSix]

Ah, so they were introduced in the '79 alterations not the '81 alterations?
Another thing to make a note of..........keep them coming!

[twotwodoors]

84.5 all intercooled turbos were factory intercooled in US

[tommbarton]

I have seen both 1993 244 and 245

[TheJoyOfSix]

Originally Posted by Addicted242Boost

84.5 all intercooled turbos were factory intercooled in US

I deliberately left out engine/spec levels as they differ so much between markets. I think to go that far into detail would be very time consuming and complicate matters even more. The body styles are complicated enough as it is.

Thanks for the info though.

[kyle242gt]

If I got this right, 1980 had quad rounds on the DL, quad squares on the GL, and dual rounds on the GT. 1981+ were all quad square.

Ahhhh here we go: http://www.swedishbricks.net/faq/240.html (lots of other good stuff here too)

HEADLIGHTS

2-round headlight: 1975-77 244 DL/GL, 245 DL;
1975-80 242 DL/GT
4-round headlight: 1976-77 264 DL/GL, 262 GL, 265 DL/GL;
1978-80 244/245 DL
4-square headlight: 1978 264/265 GL, 262C;
1979-82 260;
1980 240 GL;
1981-85 240
Current composites: 1986-on

I think this is a great project, when I was first getting into these things, a guide like this with pictures would be slammin. There's lots of various model pics at http://www.vlvworld.com/index.html?200/photo.htm

[blu92in99]

Originally Posted by V6 Man

1981

...and new smaller plastic bumpers...

I believe all US market 240's received the "lightweight" smaller plastic bumpers starting with the 1983 model year, and were "Commandos" before that. Also the bumper to body filler molding changed from 1-piece rubber to 3-piece metal/rubber with the bumper change, IIRC...

[MikeHardy]

it's true i've seen a few X reg 240's with flathood and my headlights with a flat grill, look pretty good

I think you should focus on model information *outside* the US and Canada.

This information for the US and Canada has already been compiled at:

http://www.blarg.net/~volvo242gt/Volvo140.html

[Three Fat Tigers]

What no 1976? The year that ushered in the over head cam engine?

Yeah I know, no engine/gerabox stuff


Also why do you show the 244 as discontinued in '90, and wagons in '92,
I know they still made them both through '93, I mean you have heard of
the "Classic" right?

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/r...=used&x=40&y=9

[TheJoyOfSix]

The 1992 bit was a typo, it should have read 1993, and in the Uk the 244 was discontinued in 1990 as it wasn't selling.


Thanks for all the replys, keep them coming.

[ashvolvo]

Pretty good, but understandably its REALLY difficult to be accurate when talking about the models lifespan in multiple countries.

[StealthStyles]

"1982 - Last year for 260 series V6" - Swedishbricks.net

"1985 - 260 discontinued" - V6 Man, Turbobricks.com

Engine discontinued before the car? Did I read it wrong or is that really whack?

[MikeHardy]

no i assume swedish bricks is in site US.

looking at vadis the B28A and B28F (US) was discontinued in end of 82, other place got the B28E till 85 when the model run ended

[ashvolvo]

A guy in the Volvo club of Victoria has an 1982 264 Manual.
Im quite sure that here, we had 260s until '85 though.

[ashvolvo]

Where did my sig go???

[MikeHardy]

Originally Posted by ashvolvo

A guy in the Volvo club of Victoria has an 1982 264 Manual.
Im quite sure that here, we had 260s until '85 though.

yes he might have. but like us you got the E engines till 85, which is why i think you also had the first couple of years of B230ET too, then your emission regs changed and they brought in the B230FT, so it's pretty good chance there was 260's till 85 with the B28E.

oh and your sig only shows up for the first post in a thread

[blu92in99]

Originally Posted by ashvolvo

Where did my sig go???

It only shows up on your first post in a thread, to keep things a bit less cluttered...


*Ninja edit: Ravennexus beat me to it. Bah!

[MikeHardy]

MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[twotwodoors]

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