When I bought my first Volvo back in '69, a lovely new 142S with B20 and M4, a part of the impetus to trade my '66 Mustang (other than the seats and brakes) was the experience of a friend and his '67 144.

One evening on a back road, he approached a left-hander and slowed to about 50. As he entered the turn, a mid-'60s Ford F100 appeared directly in front of him! There was no time to swerve or brake, the impact was head-on with a closing speed of nearly 100 mph. The front of the Volvo was crushed to the windscreen, the engine was under the car, but my friend unfastened his three-point belt, opened the door, and walked away, very sore but otherwise unhurt. The ambulance arrived, and they put a sheet over the driver of the pickup before carrying him away. I saw the car the next day, and I have owned 16 Volvos since then.

The 140/160 series evolved into the 240/260 series, and the structures are very similar. The only concern that I would have with an older 140/160 is if the structure has been compromised by rust. A little rust can be easily repaired, but heavy rust in sills and cross-members make it into a mechanical donor.