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.

California Clean: 74k-mile 1989 Volvo 760 Turbo

This '89 Volvo is being offered in the kind of condition you really only find in California: immaculate inside and out and rust free.

As a child of a middle class New England suburb, Volvo cars were everywhere. Parents and their (very privalaged) children alike drove sedan or wagon variants. But since these were mostly teenagers tooling around, and since New England has some of the most harsh and radical weather of any region in North America, the Volvos I'm used to are extremely beat.

It's examples like these that remind you what nice vehicles they were, especially in muted blue over grey leather.

The 760 was produced from 1982-1992. It was intended to replace the legendary 200-series, but was instead sold right alongside it. These had mostly four-cylinder engines, although a diesel-powered six was available. Styling is courtesy of Jan Wilsgaard and is a classic by now. Hard angles, an upright c-pillar, big clear headlamps and taillights. These helped earn Volvo the reputation as makers of boxy cars. Volvo has completely abandoned this look, so their older designs are gaining more and more favorable attention as time goes on. Hint: people love boxy cars.

The seller seems to imply they are the second owner, having acquired it from the original owner in July 2009 when it had only 64k miles on the clock.

They say they have all original documentation and service records since new, and also say they have done a number of things to the car since they acquired it.

Mechanically, they state the only known problems are a power window and cruise control not working. Cosmetically, they say it has a small crack in the windshield and the grille. Most importantly, there is no rust. Thank you, Southern California.

Find it here on ebay in Los Angeles, California.