1989 Volvo 740 Turbo: A Volvo Enthusiast's Dream Car

Rest your eyes on the classic Volvo enthusiast's dream car. A high mileage, red-block engine era, turbo charged brick with minimal modifications. If you bring an old Volvo to a car show, chances are the only question you'll get will be: "How many miles does it have on it?" Well, this one has made it to well over 400,000 miles, which is pretty impressive to say the least. There's no question if this car hasn't been driven then, and while this is in remarkable shape for a car that's been driven this much, you can still see the signs that this is a daily driven car. 

The Volvo 700 turbo series was first introduced for the 1984 model year. Volvo had already used turbochargers on the 240, so they had experience when it came to the new 700 series. Initially, the turbo option was only available on the luxurious 760 models, but Volvo then decided it would be a good idea to equip the entry 740 with a turbo. 

Immediately, these were a hit in the luxury car market, as Volvo promoted these cars very effectively, with creative slogans depicting the cars next to popular sports cars like Ferraris and Porsches, mentioning how the 740 was the fastest sedan or wagon in its class. The 740 turbo eventually succeeded the 240 turbo following the 1985 model year, and became a selling point for buying a 740. Horsepower peaked at around 162, and the car could accelerate from zero to 60 in around eight seconds. 

Today, like the 240, the 740 turbo is one of those classic Volvos the enthusiasts are now chasing. Why not right? Because it's not the coveted 240, the 740 fetches slightly cheaper asking prices, including turbo models. The 740 is slightly modern than the 240, so driving one as a daily isn't the worst option either. And, like a 240, that red block engine will last a lifetime. So, the next time you see a 740, keep an eye out for that turbo badge.