The 1992 Volvo 240GL
This page is dedicated to the 1992 Volvo 240GL Jamie and I purchased on March 1st, 2022. It had good bones, but it needed some maintenance (well…. okay, a lot of maintenance) to get it reliable and roadworthy. This page will be dedicated to the renaissance of this beautiful and iconic automobile.
Since Volvo made these cars (practically unchanged) for close to 20 years, there are still a good number of them on the road. In recent years, a younger crowd has taken to snatching up these once “soccer Mom cars” to modify. Given their unkillable engines, they’re a good candidate for modifications. I prefer to leave mine as “stock” as I can. Their value is increasing exponentially, especially the wagon version (commonly referred to as the “245”). In fact, well-known classic car insurer Hagerty named the Volvo 240 wagon to its “Bull Market List” for 2022, noting a higher than average rise in value for what was once a very common and mocked family car.
This area of my website will be used to document “Granny’s” journey from barely drive-able, to “looker”. If you’re a Volvo enthusiast, I hope you’ll enjoy this journey. If you’re a Virginia-based Volvo owner and would like to join the Coastal Virginia Chapter of the Volvo Club of America, check us out here.
Quick Details
Purchased: March 1, 2022
Place of Purchase: Lexton Cars (just outside of Washington, DC)
Ad Photo: See below
Mileage: 241,000
Here’s a photo on the day we purchased it. Very oxidized. Very shaky in terms of how it drove and handled. Steering was definitely wonky, although it started right up and went into gear without issue. Had a newer radio (with Bluetooth), so that told me the car had been driven and used relatively recently (or I hoped so, anyway). I assumed the amount of work necessary to bring the car back was more than the previous owner wanted to invest, so it was sold. I understand that.
In doing my homework prior to the purchase, I discovered several local service centers that focused on older Volvos. In fact, I found more than a couple, but upon calling them, I discovered 1992 was a bit too early for some. In the end, two providers rose to the top. European Motors, Inc (Newport News, VA) and Alcon Automotive (Chesapeake, VA).
The initial work was done by European Motors. When the car was dropped off, I asked the mechanic (it’s a father/son shop tucked away in beautiful Newport News) to create a “must do” punch list and a “should be done soon” punch list. He called me back two days later and asked that I drop in so he could go over the car completely with me and review the punch lists. The car was on a lift, and we walked from back to front, and then down into the engine. In the end, I ok’d both lists to be done immediately. The more I could get done while it was there, the less I would have to do later. Some of the highlights include:
- Timing belt
- Water pump
- Engine mounts
- New headlights
- other related bushings
When I picked up the car, it was astounding how much improved it was. However, the steering still felt soft and unsure. Not a comforting feeling, no matter how well the car was running.
Onto Alcon Automotive. Randy Bullock is the owner and is a one-man operation. Located in the heart of the Greenbriar area of Chesapeake, Randy has a resume that includes almost exclusive Volvo repairs dating back to before this car was even built. His expertise in the 240 model is exhaustive. Very unassuming, but very capable. He also owns a 240 wagon that would be “at home” in a Volvo showroom today. It is immaculate and every element has been touched, repaired, replaced and improved. It is stunning.
After Randy’s first round with the car, “Granny” really began to come alive. Steering fixed, air conditioning brought back into service, and a multitude of other smaller “to do” items. Time to get it cleaned up a bit.
I knew care to the outer shell of this car had not been a focus for the previous owner. Granted, it wasn’t dirty or showing signs of excessive peeling clearcoat. But, it was very, very dull. I believe the seller from whom I got the car had his detailer do a normal wash and vaccuum, which made the car look less “junked”.
Using my skills from our days of owning older fiberglass boats, I drug out my professional Makita buffer, some 3M compound and began my work. I followed this up with a good claybar’ing, polishing and waxing. “Granny” was not only getting mechanically sound, but she was beginning to look not so ’92.
I discovered the previous owner’s insurance card in the glove box, and saved it with the rest of the paperwork I received when I purchased it. Some time after getting the car better “dialed in”, I started doing a little investigative work on possibly tracking down the previous owner. With the help of Facebook, I was able to find her, now living in the State of Maryland.
She tells the story of the car’s beginnings in the state of Washington, clear across the country. It appears her now deceased grandmother bought the car new, and drove it for many, many years – and loved her 240! The original owner passed, the granddaughter took ownership of the car, and drove it for nearly 10 years. The car’s trek from Washington State to Maryland involved a wonderful cross country journey she and her husband made in the vehicle before landing squarely in the State of Maryland. Thus, the car’s new life as an east coast vehicle.
When the car’s maintenance began to become more involved, the granddaughter decided it was time to let the 240 go, and purchase something a bit more contemporary. The car ended up in auction where it was purchased by the owner of Lexton Motors just outside the Washington, DC area.
I was pleased the previous owner was receptive to providing historic details of the ownership of the vehicle. We originally were going to name this 240 “Gustav”, but given its provenance, we decided to go with “Granny”, in honor of the previous owner’s grandmother, and first owner of the car.
DECEMBER 2022 UPDATE:
The car is still driving nicely. We enjoy the vehicle several times a week, often times taking it to local “Cars & Coffee” events on Saturday’s (although some, given there are still a number of 240’s still on the road, might find it a bit nonplus).
It made the journey to the national Volvo meet in Hickory, North Carolina (a 5-hour journey). The driver’s side wiper decided to give up the ghost during a torrential rainstorm, which necessitated a short rest stop. The wiper simply loosened on its mount. Fixed at the meet, which ensured the drive home would be safe.
The air conditioning works amazingly well, and kept us cool in the summer, while the 240’s incredible ability to provide heat is giving us great warmth during these winter months. “Granny” is, I believe, one of only a handful of 240’s that didn’t come with heated seats (something these old Volvo’s were well known for).
Upcoming improvements include the mounting of an armrest between the driver’s and passenger’s seat. An option at the time that many did not order, this rare find (in matching blue) was purchased from a fellow 240 owner, and will be mounted in “Granny” very soon. This will give her a bit of extra special driver comfort.
A small factory tachometer was also added, giving the driver a better look at engine performance while driving.
There was even time to show off “Granny’s” growing mileage with a high mileage badge.
