This 1965 Volvo 122S (chassis 84347) wears a decent looking older cosmetic restoration and is said to be a never-rusted, lifetime California car. A so-so respray, missing radio, some chipped chrome and a few other cosmetic flaws are notable, though the seller says it runs and shifts very well and adds that it’s ready for a cross-country road trip as-is. Find it here on eBay in Tehachapi, California with no reserve.
This 1975 Saab 96 looks and sounds to be a freshly built rally car, though we gather from its very clean condition and poorly translated German language ad that it’s not yet actually been staged. A claimed Saab World Meeting Spa first place trophy winner, the car features a seam-welded body, full cage, upgraded suspension, brakes and a built V4—build quality looks excellent throughout. Find it here on mobile.de in Winnekendonk, Germany for 59,500 euros (~$65,610 today). Special thanks to BaT reader Burkhard V. for this submission6
Silver paint looks very well applied, and we dig the black center stripes, SAAB rocker markings and cool Saab Sport markings on the C-pillars/upper rear quarter panels. Blacked-out banana spokes with Saab center caps are well-chosen also, and the car looks especially good from the front with its quad Cibie auxiliary lamps, US-market grille and attractive, multi-piece skid plate.
The interior is trimmed in matching black with excellent Recaros, a Saab Sport steering wheel and a full roll cage. Almost too nice to race, carpets, dash top, gauges and other trim presents better than most street biased restorations we come across. Note also the rally computer and well-placed handbrake lever.
Power comes from a 1700 V4 displacing 1853cc. Fitted with forged pistons, a hardened crank, high-Sweedspeed cam flow oil pump, baffled sump, big valves, flowed heads, twin downdraft Webers and more, output is quoted at an impressive 150 HP. A close-ratio gearbox shuffles power through the front wheels via a limited slip and hardened drive shafts. Suspension features adjustable Bilsteins and upgraded bushings, brakes run stainless lines and Ferodo performance pads, and steering is by an interesting sounding, adjustable, electrically assisted rack. Many more build details are provided in the ad, and the car looks very clean underneath in underbody shots.
We normally prefer 96s with two strokes, but this one’s left us impressed. Putting it to proper use would would be like ripping off a Band-Aid or diving into a cold pool—just commit and minimize the discomfort. A few paint chips and gravel dings later and it’d be easier to live with and arguably more enjoyable, too.
This 1963 Volvo L3314 is said to be ready to drive anywhere as long as its kept under 50 MPH, the seller adding that it benefits from a recently rebuilt carb, new motor mounts and more. Recently stripped to bare metal and repainted, the truck runs a B18 four cylinder, 4-speed primary, 2-speed transfer case, Salisbury axles, Warn locking front hubs and an 8,000 pound winch. Doors and rear top are included as well. Find it here on Craigslist in Albuquerque, New Mexico for $7,750.
This 1973 Volvo 1800ES (chassis 1836363) is sold as a stripped, partially restored project with a freshened motor. Rebuilt with upgraded double valve springs and an IPD cam, the engine still needs to be reassembled as does most of the car from the looks of things. The lead photo seems to be of the car as-purchased in 2012, and sale includes a new OEM windshield and exhaust. Find it here on eBay in San Antonio, Texas with a $4,500 BIN.
This Volvo 740’s model year isn’t mentioned, but we’re more interested in the LS2 V8 swap underhood anyway. The ad says a previous owner built the stock Volvo powerplant as far as possible, moved to Ford 302 power, and finally settled on the six liter, GM-sourced engine now installed. Built up for a supercharger that never came, it’s still said to be good for 400 plus HP which is channeled through an automatic trans and 3.73 geared limited slip rear. Find it here on montrealracing.com in Montreal, Canada for $15k CAD (~$11,900 today). Special thanks to BaT reader Marek M. for this submission!
This seller is offering what their add refers to as a “Volvo field of dreams”, with pictures showing a good-sized collection of old Swedish steel baking in a sunny, exposed grass lot somewhere in Southwestern Colorado. Inventory includes 1963 and 1968 1800S’s, a 1967 122S coupe, a 1959 Duett, a 1961 544, two earlier 444’s, a 1969 140 wagon, 1971 142 coupe, 1980 242, 1975 and 1983 245DL wagons, and a 1979 244 sedan, all in varying states of repair, some drivable and some not. We’ll try to break it down to a few of our favorites below. Find them all here on Craigslist where the seller is taking offers on an individual or lot basis. Special thanks to BaT reader M Ro for this submission!
These Duett wagons are among the rarest old Volvos left, and though listed as a P210, the car’s pre-1960 model year actually points to it being an earlier PV445. Though similar looking to other contemporary PV series bodystyles, these wagons utilized separate frame construction. Photos show a complete, relatively dry looking car with all glass intact. Simple mechanicals and good parts availability should make restoration a pretty straightforward process provided rust is as minimal as it appears topside.
We’d also trailer home one of the 1800S coupes, preferably the earlier, 1963 example if both were found to be in broadly similar condition. The ’68 is described as having a rough body, while the ’63 is a Jensen-bodied car said to run a rebuilt motor—both are 4-speed/OD-equipped and apparently in need of full restoration. Too bad no ES shooting brakes are on hand.
With two of three spots on the imaginary long flatbed already occupied, our last pick would probably be this 1967 122S coupe. Minimal information is provided, the seller saying only that it’s good for restoration. Photos seem to show a mostly solid, straight and complete car with what seems to be older, unfinished paint forward of the A-pillars. We think it’d make a great Amazon rally build.
Given another slot, we’d probably splurge for the 1971 142 as well. The PV444’s are tempting as well. Feel free to share your three (or four) choices below.
This 1968 Saab 96 was pulled off the road after what’s described as a minor engine fire took out some wiring and lines. Since then the V4 has been made to run again and is now stored with fogging oil in the sump. Listed as straight with no rust aside from light surface corrosion, sale includes all trim, lights, two service manuals and more. Find it here on eBay in Kingston Springs, Tennessee with bidding below $1k and reserve not met.
This 1973 Volvo 1800E is a decent looking car that’s said to benefit from a recent top-to-bottom service that included new tie rod ends, ball joints, bushings, shocks, a rebuilt steering box, hoses, water pump, wiring, brakes, valve cover gasket and more. Listed as rust-free and fully functional apart from an inop tach, the seller is also offering a 760 Turbo from the same listing. Find them both here on Craigslist in Tampa, Florida where the ask for this 1800 is $12,500. Special thanks to BaT reader Zino C. for this submission!
This 1976 Volvo 242 is a street legal rally build running a built, turbocharged PRV V6 said to be good for in excess of 500 lb. ft. of torque. Brakes, suspension and structure are all upgraded to keep up, and the seller says that it’s not for the faint of heart. A NASCAR style Jerico 4-speed dogbox runs custom gearing that’s said to be good for freeway use, and spares include extra wheels and other, unspecified parts. Find it here on specialstage.com in Lynden, Washington for $12k. Special thanks to BaT reader Matt W. for this submission!
This 1967 Volvo 123GT clone started off as a Nova Scotia-built 122S and is also said to be accident-free and very solid. Build accuracy sounds to be very high, the seller noting several replicated, GT-only features including very small details such as an extra set of relays underhood. Described as a strong running, excellent driving car, it’s fitted with a fully rebuilt B18B and 4-speed with factory electric overdrive. Find it here on Craigslist in suburban Toronto, Canada for $10k.
Paint sounds as if it may remain all or largely original, the ad citing dings and scratches in accordance with the car’s nearly 50 years. Further claimed to have never been driven in winter and to remain all-metal, the car looks straight and solid in photos and easily qualifies as good driver-quality in the cosmetics department thanks to good gaps and complete trim. A Photobucket gallery mentioned in the ad promises more photos but appears to be a dead link.
The interior sounds to be a mix of factory-installed and retrofitted, NOS 123GT pieces, the ad noting an original, slightly worn but good headliner, original OEM radio and professionally-fitted red upholstery purchased from Volvo Classic Division of Sweden. Note the correct, dash-mounted Volvo-branded Smiths tachometer and overall tidy cabin appearance. A bit of digging should turn up a correct, three-spoke GT-style wheel.
Underhood sits a GT-correct B18B, the higher-compression, dual carb version of Volvo’s 1.8 liter four used elsewhere within the range. Fully rebuilt from the crank up by a professional Volvo tech, it’s said to run new cylinder liners, pistons, a machined crank, new bearings, gaskets, valve guides, seals and more.
Carbs have been rebuilt as well, and the ad says the car runs and drives excellently. The 4-speed with electric overdrive has also been refurbished and is said to shift perfectly though all gears with no bearing chatter or whining. Many further mechanical details are provided within the ad.
A compelling and seemingly highly accurate tribute build, we like that it remains priced like a well-sorted 122S rather than an authentic, factory-built 123GT. Regardless of originality, it should offer pretty much the same driving and ownership experience of the real deal for about 60% of the price.
This 1990 Saab 900 (VIN YS3AL36LXL5002367) is a nicely kept car described as rust-free and sorted with good mechanicals and electrics. White over tan with an automatic isn’t the most exciting combination, but we dig the three spokes and the three door is the original 900’s best looking configuration. Find it here on eBay in Staten Island, New York with a $6,400 BIN.
This 1959 Volvo PV445 Duett (chassis P44508M2704) has been restored by the seller over their past six years of ownership and sounds to be a good, driver-lever car. Relatively few of these early Swedish estate cars remain, and this one looks very presentable with its cool two-tone and period-correct stocker vibe. Find it here on eBay in Lake Forest, California with reserve not met.
A 2013 respray, medium blue and white suits the car very well and is said to be factory-correct. Restoration work is said to have included rust repair, though exactly what was cut and replaced isn’t specified. Door and glass weatherstripping is also new, as is chrome on the bumpers. Trim looks complete and mostly in nice shape, and we dig the OEM hubcaps and appropriately sized rubber.
Inside, carpet, headliner and seat covers have all been replaced, the seller noting that wooden slats in the cargo area remain original—unfortunately no photos of this area are provided, however we can see what look like recently installed wood liners on the doors and inner rear quarters. Gauges are complete but a bit yellowed and tired looking, and the likely original steering wheel has a rim wrap that could be hiding sun damage.
The engine bay is nicely detailed, its B16 wearing fresh-looking, factory-correct paint on the block and air filter housings. Running condition isn’t mentioned, but it is said to start easily and recent mechanical work included a rebuilt transmission, a new clutch, water pump, motor mounts, rebuilt carbs, starter, new bushings and more.
We’d finish detailing the interior and tend to whatever else needs sorting, but as-is this one seems well on its way to being a fine, frequently used driver.
This 1963 Volvo Amazon is described as a two owner car that’s been with the seller for nearly 25 years now. Slate Gray is a beautiful color and contrasts very well with red hub cap trim, while photos show that the car appears to be in excellent condition throughout. Described as unmodified and well-maintained, it retains its factory engine as well as many original documents. Find it here on finn.no in Vennesla, Norway for 69k NOK (incorrectly listed within ad as GBP, ~$8,557 today). Special thanks to Norwegian BaT reader Oliver K. for this submission.
This 1973 Volvo 142 has been modified as a Baja 1000 tribute with cosmetic mods including a lifted stance, radiused wheel wells, auxiliary lights and deleted front bumper. Started by the previous owner and described as a daily driver, the seller sounds to have done the majority of sorting, listing a rebuilt B20 with a Weber and upgraded cam, a NOS trans, rebuilt suspension and a stripped down interior with racing seats. Find it here on Craigslist in Tallahassee, Florida for $3,850.
This 1972 Saab 96 (chassis 96722007079) looks good on soccer balls despite faded, mismatched paint and slightly dinged-up driver door and rear fender. Prior rust repair is mentioned, but underbody shots look very good and the car is said to be a daily driver. Rebuilt 25 years ago with double valve springs, an Isky cam, steel timing gears and twin choke Weber, the trans is described as quiet and the OEM freewheeling function still works. Find it here on eBay in Ogunquit, Maine with no reserve beyond an unmet $4,350 opening bid. Special thanks to BaT reader Michael S. for this submission.
This 1989 Volvo 740 wagon has more than double power from stock courtesy of a swapped-in LT1 V8 mated to a T56 6-speed manual gearbox. It has a long list of modifications including Bilstein HD shocks and struts, IPD sway bars and of course the 5.7 liter mill which looks right at home nestled under the wagon’s big, flat hood. The low mileage chassis and leather interior looks to be in great shape as well. Instead of going the sleeper route, the seller chose a Torch Red respray with blacked out trim and we think it works well. Find it here on Craigslist in Kittery, Maine for $11,500.
This Volvo 1800ES is listed as a 1975 though production ended two years earlier. Said to have last run several years ago, the ad notes leaking fuel lines as the reason for its extended indoor storage. Described as complete apart from the large and likely expensive rear window, they seller adds that it “needs a lot of work”. We can see rust along the rear lower quarters, and the interior looks rough too. Find it here on Craigslist in Lancaster, New Hampshire for $1,200. Special thanks to BaT reader M.R. for this submission.
This 1969 Saab Sonett V4 (chassis 1818) sounds to be rust-free following some older repairs and is also said to retain all original paint and interior fittings, an impressive claim as it does look quite nice in photos. Further said to start easily and run well with good brakes and freewheeling transmission, these earlier style, fixed headlight cars are our favorites–too bad it’s not a two stroke. Find it here on eBay in Freeland, Washington with reserve not met. Special thanks to BaT reader Nick V. for this submission.
This 1967 Volvo L3314 Laplander is said to be in good running condition and includes a trailer, heavy duty snow blade and PTO-driven winch, however no other details are given. Rust can be an issue on these trucks, and this one’s prior use as a snow plow means a thorough check of both the body and underpinnings is a good idea. Find it here on Craigslist in McCall, Idaho for $9k. Special thanks to BaT reader Charles E. for this submission.
This 1989 Saab 900 is a three door 16 valve model with our preferred 5-speed manual. Barn stored with under 40k original miles, mechanics are said to be solid and reliable. The cosmetics also look to be pretty good, with rust claimed limited to the interior seam of the left side door. Working, R134a converted A/C is a plus, and overall the car presents as a sorted, cared-for driver. Find it here on Craigslist in New London, New Hampshire for $5k. Special thanks to BaT reader R.H. for this submission.
