Volvo’s 240 Series was launched to the public in 1974, alongside the 260 Series. The Volvo 240 Series held six variations under its name—the 242L, 242DL, 244DL, 244GL, and 245DL. In matters of appearance, it seemed that the 240 Series and 260 Series exhibited no particular departures from the 140 and 164 Series. Vehicle platforms showed no noticeable change from the bulkhead to the rear end. Only when eyes strayed to the frond end did it become possible for anyone to make the 240 vehicles out since this is where the 240 was finally able to set itself apart from the others.

But the true innovation that the 240 brought to consumers was the integration of notable safety features into Volvo cars, improvements that they gleaned from the results of the Volvo Experimental Safety Car they conducted back in 1972. Thus, the Volvo 240 parts counted among themselves a lot of features that brought driver as well as passenger protection to higher levels. Other alterations in the design worth mentioning were the engine adjustments that took place, which in turn led to the employment of the McPherson strut for all 200 Series vehicles. Some Volvo parts in the suspension system of the 240 Series—specifically those that belonged within the rear suspension assembly—were also refined versions of those found under the hoods of the 140 Series car models. The addition of the huge crumple zones along the front and the rear of the cars was also an inspired touch as well as the introduction of the rack and pinion steering.

Thus, a Volvo 240 part, may it be a performance part or replacement part that belongs to any 200 Series model is quite significant since it is commonly associated with enhanced consumer safety. At a time when sports cars and racing models were running circles around the upper elite, Volvo was making sure that people’s cars—though they may have not been able to compete—were brought to top form for the greater majority who understandably needed safe cars more than they did fast, fancy ones that cost an arm and a leg. Hence, Volvo suceeded in addressing immediate consumers needs—which was in itself quite a noble achievement at the time.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 26th, 2007 at 7:43 pm and is filed under Parts by Make. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.