A friend bought a 240 that had been parked for "3-4 years". Turned out to be 12 years based on license plate tag. He paid around what you'd pay for a running-driving car here (OH) ~$600-900.

The car needs gas tank, both fuel pumps, fuel filter, 4 calipers, 4 rotors, brake pads, brake lines, radiator, water pump, more.

I understand wanting to restore a special model - 242, GLT, Classic, Torslandia, ambulance/hearse/245 Transfer ....
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240 drivers / parts cars - JH, Ohio

its exciting. i just bought an 89 5 speed sitting in a garage for 10 years time in CT. the car has california plates ( lived in the tulare area), title and reg and was shipped out by a military man and forgotten. 130,000 miles and the cleanest rust free 240 outside of new i have ever seen.

a time capsule. map pockets uncracked, seats un split only the center console was broken


it would not start but i figure for 450 how hard can it possibly be to get it running?

gas tank
fuel pumps
plugs, wire etc
worst case

like finding buried treasure

Chasing classic cars are you? Nice find.

600 bucks is reasonable for a car that has a good body and a sound drivetrain.

I do not see any "major repairs" on the list of items that this car needs. If he can do the work himself, we are talking a couple thousand in parts to get this car up to snuff. So, 2600-2900 in total, which is dirt cheap for a reliable daily driver. Price out any used car made in the last ten years (which probably has comparable mileage given that this one sat for 12 years), and you are looking at 8-10k easy.

Now, if he has to pay a garage to do the work...

Volvo owners are a strange bunch. Maybe your friend just likes to tinker and wrench. Needs a challenge and hobby. Yes for a few dollars more you buy a turn key car. But no guts no glory. My last "barn find", actually sat outside for 12-14 years was an 81 262c that I'm currently working on. same thing, needed gas tank, all new brake components, fuel system components, injectors reconditioned, etc. Happy to say got it running and driving. Still needs more work. But that is what keeps me going.

Did I mention it only has 27000 original miles?

Like Art asks, is it a wagon?
Is it a M47 true 5-speed?
How many miles are on it?

And of course, rust... ???

A solid low mile rust free wagon could be worth investing in.

It's not a wagon or M-47. But even those can be had inexpensively.

Several friends are driving AT sedans they paid ~$500 for. There just isn't a strong market for 240s in OH.

You can always pay more of course.
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240 drivers / parts cars - JH, Ohio

Jon H, You make a good point - but then the "value" of a car can be looked at in many ways. There's market value - and that is really the bottom line. After that "value" can only be determined relative to the person holding the opinion. By "market" value there would probably be few Volvo models that would warrant a full top to bottom-every nut and bolt restoration. Yet there are those who put the work and $ in despite never having any hope of recouping the "investment".
If your friend makes his priority longevity, ease of maintenance and all the other good things about the 240 line -----boy do I have a path for him. See my ad on the BB for "three 240 cars". The 1990 244 would be his perfect parts car. It was on the road up till last year and has loads of new parts--brakes, exhaust, suspension, wiper motor, (timing belt and water pump done by me a few months ago) etc. Papers can be obtained but it's a lengthy process from what I've been told. Take a look at my ad on Craigslist NYC area in both "cars and trucks" and "parts" - search 1990 240 Volvo. Lots of photos. As it sits it needs a new battery. Tires too but that can come later. Otherwise it's ready to roll. I'm looking for $600. -- Dave

I agree and it's not my place to define "value" for someone else.

In this case, however, if you just want a 240 driver you might be better off buying one that you can drive and test. If you decide you want to "restore" it, you'll have a better idea of what you're up against.

Perhaps because of TV, "barn find" seems to have some additional value and cachet.
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240 drivers / parts cars - JH, Ohio

It's the resurrection that appeals to me. Last September I willingly paid $1200 for a non-running 81 GLT wagon that was parked in a garage for 9-10 years and hardly driven the 5 years prior to that. The interior was clean (but very musty) and the body had zero rust. The Metallic Merlot Red paint had a shine below the dust. The Virgos were rash-free and it sat on 4 flat tires.
A plaid wool blanket hanging over the back seat signaled that it was well loved when the elderly owner was forced to stop driving.

I had it flat-bedded home. New rear calipers, a few brake lines, tranny service and full tune-up, professional interior cleaning and it's a sweet driver needing little more. Exhaust and soft front brake lines are next.

This car is way more valuable to me than if i had purchased one ready to go.

I understand the desire to resurrect. I had a 1954 Willys wagon that had been parked ~40 years; a 1947 Marmon-Herrington that had been unused almost 50 years; a 1961 Chevy factory 4x4; a 1963 IH 4x4 panel-delivery; other IHs, Jeeps, military 6x6s, ....

And I've revivified my fair share of 120s, 140s, 240s. But I'm market-oriented and if I can buy a running-driving 240 for a few $hundred ...
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240 drivers / parts cars - JH, Ohio