1984 Volvo 760 GLE Turbo Diesel

If you thought old Volvo cars were durable enough already, this ultra-rare diesel version takes that notion to new heights.

After the fuel crises of the 1970s, automakers scrambled to present consumers with fuel-efficient alternatives. One solution European automakers brought to the table was diesel power, which doesn't require spark plugs and lasts longer than gasoline engines thanks to their inherent construction and the nature of diesel fuel.

As the economy stabilized and gas prices came down diesel was no longer all the rage by the mid 80s but some automakers were still making odd contributions, like the BMW 524TD, the Cadillac Seville diesel, and the infamous Lincoln Continental diesel, which used the same engine as the BMW 524.

Volvo chose to briefly put a diesel in their 740/760 body. These were, of course, was already well on their way to becoming a middle class yuppie classics of suburban America, a masterstroke of form-over-function utilitarianism that was infinitely usable and strangely stylish in the most muted and anti-stylish way possible. 

The diesel engine was actually sourced from Volkswagen and was used primarily in their trucks. Most Volvos were four cylinders, and most diesels were five cylinders, so this relatively large 6-cylinder turbocharged engine must provide a healthy boost. Refined? No. But these rear-wheel drive cars were surprisingly fun already, so the extra torque will go a long way.

This example is being sold by someone who says the relatively low 112k miles are original and that the car is in "showroom" condition inside and out. Mechanically, they say it new belts, new tires, new brakes, and new shocks. Cosmetically, they say it has no rust, a huge plus on an old Volvo.

Available here on ebay in Wyoming, Michigan with bidding at $1,025.