For Sale: a Trio of Coupes

Shant Jaltorossian

/comment

Comments

two

While Volvo’s 200 Series is respected by the lunatic fringe cultured car enthusiasts, most of that love is directed toward the 240 Turbo. My love, on the other hand, tends to go to the black sheep of the family: the 262C. 

In my never-ending quest to find a 262C with a manual transmission, I came across an unusual offer deep within the wastelands of Craigslist. What we have here is three Volvo coupes for sale by one truly dedicated seller: two 262C models, plus one of its successor, the 780.

780

Both the 262C and 780 represented the crème de la crème of Volvo, and both were designed and assembled in Italy by Bertone. These were the cars driven by well-heeled individuals for whom a German car would be too ordinary. So, basically, me. Keep your ho-hum Benzes; I’m a Volvo man (don’t shoot me).

interior

And just look at the interior design of the 262C. It looks like the executive suite of a Malaise era office suite. Wait, was I always wearing this leisure suit?

As per the ad:

ONLY 84,151 ORIGINAL MILES
Have two 1978 Bertone Volvo 262 original chop-top coupes
factory manufactured only 2,000 of these classic cars
Only a limited number were manufactured and sold for $22,500 new.
6 cyl and automatic transmission
Like new original baby black leather interior- in mint condition
Clear title. Pink slips in my name.
Both 262C coupes runs well. 
Listed in the COLLECTOR CAR PRICE GUIDE from $6750 to $15,000 (page 647)
Asking $3000 for each or both for $5000.

Also have a classic 1988 Volvo Bertone 780 coupe 
It has 124k original miles.Only 2000 manufactured.
Upgraded in Italy’s Maserati factory by designer Bertone.
Original cost new was $35,500….and is listed in the 2013 COLLECTOR CAR 
PRICE GUIDE from $13,950 to $31,000 (page 649). Asking $5500 for the 782 or all three for $9,000.
Polished burrelwood dash and skiis fit into car opening from trunk. 

[Link: Craigslist]

About

Shant Jaltorossian

Shant Jaltorossian

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

43 responses to “For Sale: a Trio of Coupes”

  1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    As a kid, I thought the 262C was the only desirable Volvo. The rest looked like the cars my parents and teachers drove.

    Reply
    1. Cedric Avatar
      Cedric

      I have 9k but I don't have any contact information

      Reply
  2. Toxic Avenger Avatar
    Toxic Avenger

    They are reasonably priced and damn good cars,what is not to like? I drove a 70something 240 for several years and it is still missed. Just impossible to find parts for in my area.

    Reply
    1. dead_elvis Avatar
      dead_elvis

      The PRV 6 cylinder in 262 wasn't anywhere near as reliable as the redblock family of 4 pots.
      Where did you live that Volvo parts were an issue – someplace in the US midwest?

      Reply
      1. Toxic Avenger Avatar
        Toxic Avenger

        Northern Michigan,I will no longer buy any vehicle that my local salvage yard does not have at least two in stock.
        Also must mention that I had that old Burgundy Volvo with maching cloth interior before the internet was available.

        Reply
  3. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    I'm pretty sure you can tell where the Italian part starts by looking for the rust line.

    Reply
  4. dculberson Avatar
    dculberson

    "Volvo 780…is listed in the 2013 COLLECTOR CAR PRICE GUIDE from $13,950 to $31,000"
    I am willing to bet money that not a single Volvo 780 has traded hands for anywhere near $31,000 since they were new, and probably not even then. Those are fanciful numbers, made up whole cloth.

    Reply
    1. dead_elvis Avatar
      dead_elvis

      No, but "listed"!

      Reply
  5. LTDScott Avatar
    LTDScott

    I always thought the 262Cs were "neat" because they were so quirky, but PRV FTL.

    Reply
  6. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    ONLY 84,151 ORIGINAL MILES
    Have two 1978 Bertone Volvo 262 original chop-top coupes
    So that's only about 42K each, huh? Or do you divide by the third car, too?
    I grew up with a 262C in the neighbor's driveway. He traded a clamshell wagon for it. Not sure which would be the more hooniversal choice today.

    Reply
  7. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    Primes candidates for Ford 5.0/5-speed conversions.

    Reply
    1. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      I'd be tempted to throw a 4.6 & 4R70W at it just to be weird. (Manuals are fun, but I like my tuned-up 4R70W in my T-bird…)

      Reply
  8. FreeMan Avatar
    FreeMan

    $5k for the pair of 262s gives you a DD and a parts car, should soares become difficult to source. I'm glad these are in LA and I'm in IN. that might be tempting…

    Reply
    1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
      ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

      Yup it's tempting, just in a few years there will be three more drivers that need safe cars in the MZS home here afterall, and that 780 could have a B230FT+ and IRS.

      Reply
      1. Alff Avatar
        Alff

        I'm trying to filll that need now. I'll split the pair of 262s with you.
        Almost pulled the trigger on an 1800es for my daughter last week, until a good friend suggested that I wouldn't be happy with myself if my kid wiped out such a classic.

        Reply
        1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
          ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

          I'm more interested in a 780 but really I am saving-up good will so that in time I can approach my wife about importing an SD1 from Germany. Also my kids are kind of far away still from driving. But the ES, that's tricky. I think it really boils down to how comfortable you are with your kid driving an older car regarding what happens to them or their passengers in an accident. There's a lot there too regarding judgement of our kids too. Just a hunch, I think you and I would be okay with our kids driving an ES though regarding those aspects (I'm having to extrapolate about my oldest son how he'll grow, but so far he's really been impressing me with his responsibility and maturity). An ES, eh still not so rare, and as a practical thing you could get agreed value insurance (that's what I have for mine) so you could find another car interesting too if something should happen. So I don't know, I think you should revisit that ES. What does your daughter think? If she really digs it, and it might be a daughter/father bonding/learning thing, plus it would be a filter somewhat weeding-out some undesirable boys chasing her…

          Reply
          1. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            If I may chip in here, I love the idea of buying your kid an ES! I would also be concerned about safety, but there is no better place to learn responsible driving than in an old car. Roadfeel and -feedback are so much stronger, and an understanding of physics comes so much earlier.

  9. racer139 Avatar
    racer139

    A friend of mine is selling a 1979 , 260 bertone, it is a standard?!? Its in nice shape has just had a complete servive and a bunch of parts thrown at it. It is listed on kijiji here in nova scotia and the ad id is: 498325992. My opinion: I dont like em. The roof chopped looks rediculas, but those seats look comfy.

    Reply
  10. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    On the few (increasingly fewer) occasions when I see a 262 Bertone in real life they catch my eye for being so awkward looking, as opposed to attractive. Like a low profile brick.
    And that PRV engine! If your local junkyard happens to be loaded with Peugeot 504s, DeLorean DMC-12s and 1991 Dodge Monacos I suppose you'd be okay.

    Reply
    1. dead_elvis Avatar
      dead_elvis

      The most hideous & ungainly of Volvos in the 2xx-9xx family, in my book. And I loves me some Swedish brick.

      Reply
  11. TurboBrick Avatar
    TurboBrick

    There's a silver/black 262C on my local CL for $700. It doesn't run, but it's there… though personally I find that they don't look very good in that color. Now the two-tone double brown combo is a whole another deal.

    Reply
  12. Scandinavian Flick ★ Avatar
    Scandinavian Flick ★

    I'm weird… For the regular models, I much prefer the 200 series over the 700. But for the Bertones, it's very much the opposite.

    Reply
    1. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
      Dean Bigglesworth

      I'm with you on that. The 262 just looks awkward, even without the vinyl top. The 780 on the other hand is one of my all time favourite Volvos, I would just lower it slightly at put on some slightly larger wheels off a newer Volvo.

      Reply
      1. Scandinavian Flick ★ Avatar
        Scandinavian Flick ★

        Totally agreed on the 780. A friend of mine had a really clean one with a manual swap. Too bad I wasn't in the market when he sold it… This is the only pic I can find of it.
        <img src="http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa105/krg1971/turbobricksBBQ/sept122010BBQ015.jpg&quot; width="500">

        Reply
        1. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
          Dean Bigglesworth

          I assume the emblem on the front quarter panel is a Prancing Moose? I'd go for some less flashy wheels like these.
          <img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6652845703_8ccb7c8d48_o.jpg&quot; width="600" </img> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8058098@N07/6652845703/” target=”_blank”>http://www.flickr.com/photos/8058098@N07/6652845703/

          Reply
          1. Scandinavian Flick ★ Avatar
            Scandinavian Flick ★

            Yup. I agree on the wheels, and so did he. I have a set of these wheels (Polaris replicas) lying around, (the exact set pictured, actually…) that he kept trying to convince me to trade for. They would have promptly gone on the 780 if I had bought it.
            <img src="http://i.imgur.com/Ct8Pv8b.jpg"&gt;

  13. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    The upholstery looks like that found in the Maserati Biturbo, or the Bitter CD. I would rather have the 780, still with a modern drivetrain swap (like the Ford 5.0 Windsor and 5-speed).

    Reply
  14. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Reading through the comments, I'm surprised by the ambivalence to the 262 here on the 'verse. I did and do love their quirky look.

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Hear, hear, my good man!

      Reply
    2. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
      ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

      I liked them too (especially the interior), but now that I know more Volvo people, that PRV really is a big problem from the stories I've heard and that really colors the car in a bad light for me sadly. So if you are getting that engine, why not an Alpine or Delorean instead? Or if you want that interior and already dealing with hassles, why not a boxy quattroporte instead?

      Reply
      1. TurboBrick Avatar
        TurboBrick

        *applause* Sir, you've just managed to make buying a Quattroporte seem like the rational move.

        Reply
        1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
          ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

          TB, I've worked through my queue and I am half a movie away from staring watching your disc, thanks again!

          Reply
          1. TurboBrick Avatar
            TurboBrick

            Enjoy! Oh btw, that Mercedes is a W108 body, just so you don't have to look that up when you start searching through Craigslist 😉

      2. Alff Avatar
        Alff

        The PRV may be problematic, but it's just a pump. In contrast, it's not just the engine that keeps that generation of Maser from being desirable. For example, apparently some Italian textile baron held sway over the upholstery union, to the point that all of those beautiful hides were stitched together with cotton thread when the rest of the world had switched to more resilient man made materials. Sounds romantic, until you have to spend a cold winter's night hand stitching your beautiful hides back together while the rest of your family eats popcorn and plays Settlers of Catan. Not that I'd know about such things.

        Reply
  15. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    That's a strange ad, three beautiful coupes on the cheap… Personally, I happen to prefer the four cylinder Volvo's any time, but this trio would make a nice vehicle fleet for a family of two retired adults with style. I know a guy who imports these to Norway, selling them off for 10,000$/piece in driver shape. He seems to be doing well, and has done so for at least ten years, when I got to know him first.
    Example:
    <img src="http://finncdn.no/mmo/2013/7/vertical-3/13/8/428/005/98_719463348.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      That is freakin' beautiful. The parental car I spent the most time in was a mustard yellow 142 that looked very similar.
      Although cars are much better mechanically today, stylistically they've been going downhill for at least 25 years.

      Reply
  16. stigshift Avatar
    stigshift

    Not many people know, but the 262C is not the rarest 200 series coupe. That honor goes to the 262 without the "C". It was essentially a 242 coupe with the V6, 260 nose and a standard roofline, I had a chance to buy one some years ago, and even my Volvo nut friend had never heard of one. There were 3300 and change made between '75-77. Rarest are the '77s.

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Funny you would say that right after I post one of them. 🙂 To be honest, I prefer the original design and not just the mechanics of the 4-cyl. The slammed roof is a bit weird. But standing next to a 262C always reminds me that the car has quite a presence.

      Reply
  17. Devin Avatar
    Devin

    The 262C would kind of make you look like a Swedish pimp.
    I'm not convinced that's a bad thing, however.

    Reply
  18. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    Ah yes, the Cordoba of Volvos.

    Reply
  19. guest Avatar
    guest

    Nobody else thinks 'hearse' when they see a 262?
    Really?!

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Why?
      <img src="http://finncdn.no/mmo/2013/7/vertical-3/18/3/428/769/73_1927171061_xl.jpg&quot; width="600">

      Reply
  20. Przedszkole Warszawa Avatar
    Przedszkole Warszawa

    After the operator has taken their initial course whether a 4 or 8 hour
    they will have no time to finish all of the planning,
    organizing, and self-regulation skills kids need to be considered fatal.
    This really seems to legendary progressive university help
    him and keep him advancing and learning.

    Reply