Many years ago, before the Great Crossoverification, you could get the same basic car from most manufacturers in a variety of body styles. Two or four doors, sedan or wagon, fastback or notchback – the world was your oyster. Some of those body styles are still with us, but one is as extinct as a woolly mammoth: the two-door sedan. But today, we’re traveling to a magical place where old cars still roam free to look at a couple of surviving examples.
On Friday, we threw the budget out the window to look at two ailing mid-engine sports cars. It sounded like a lot of you wanted to vote for the Acura NSX, but its hinted-at troubles were just too much. The disassembled but more honest Lotus Esprit took an easy win.
Between these two particular cars, I think that’s the right call. There’s nothing more frightening than a Lotus project car, but that one looks about as honest as you can get. The Acura feels about as sketchy as a “Reduced For Quick Sale” frozen burrito. Someone may take a chance on it, but it sure as hell wouldn’t be me.
One of the things I miss about living in the Pacific Northwest is the constant parade of rare old cars driving around. They’d be coddled classics elsewhere, but there, people street-park them in front of bars on Friday nights, or cram them into the notoriously tight parking garage at Powell’s Books. The two cars that we’re about to look at are rare versions of their breeds, but still not special enough to be anything other than daily drivers in that rainy corner of the country. Which one would you rather put some more miles on? Let’s check them out and you can decide.
1976 Volvo 242 DL – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.1-liter OHC inline 4, four-speed manual, RWD
Location: Seattle, WA
Odometer reading: 320,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
It’s astonishing how many Volvo 240s there are on the streets of Seattle and Portland. The newest of these cars is now thirty-three years old, and this early example turns fifty this year. And yet, stand long enough on any street corner, and I guarantee you one will go by. It may look like it has been through a war zone, but it’ll still be chugging along. But most of the 240s you see will be four-door sedans or wagons; an early flat-hood two-door like this is a rare beast.
This 242 is powered by a 2.1-liter version of Volvo’s “Red block” four-cylinder engine, driving the rear axle through a four-speed manual gearbox – without the electric overdrive. Like most 240s these days, it has an absolute buttload of miles on it – but hey, the odometer actually works. The seller is a little coy about its condition, saying only that it is “reliable” and has “no major issues.” That’s good enough to start; the knowledge base and community around these cars is extensive, so any minor issues that come up should be solvable.
The interior is typical of high-mileage Volvos: intact, functional, but not very nice. The driver’s seat has been replaced, and it doesn’t quite match. The condition of the door panels leaves a lot to be desired. And is it even possible to have a Volvo 240 without some wiring hanging out from under the dash? Did they come that way from the factory?
It’s a good twenty-footer outside, in a great color. When you start looking closely, you see a few rust spots, but that’s to be expected in a fifty-year-old car. The later 240 Turbo wheels are a nice touch. And of course, the Thule bike rack is included. They’re required on all Volvos and Subarus in that part of the country.
1977 Toyota Corona – $4,000
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter OHC inline 4, four-speed manual, RWD
Location: Portland, OR
Odometer reading: 145,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Toyota today is synonymous with quality and durability, and models like the Camry, Corolla, and RAV4 are legends. But Toyota’s first entry into the US market in 1958 was a failure. Its second attempt, in 1965, worked, thanks to this car: the Corona. By the time this generation of Corona came along, Toyota was on a roll – and Detroit was rightfully worried. 1970s Toyotas have all but disappeared from the roads in most parts of the world, though; reliable as they were, rust took out the majority of them years ago. This is the first two-door Corona I have seen in I don’t know how long.
Power comes from the legendary 20R four-cylinder that can be found under the hoods of so many Toyota pickups. The seller says this is the quietest-running 20R they’ve ever seen, and it has a ton of new parts to keep it humming along. It has a four-speed manual transmission that is starting to show its age; the seller says it’s a little sticky shifting into second gear. Just be a little sympathetic to it and it should be fine.
Inside, it’s really nice, but not perfect; there is some trim missing and a little wear and tear here and there. It’s completely original, though, right down to the radio. And Portland has a halfway decent classic rock radio station to complete the illusion if you want. I wonder how many times “Hotel California” has been played in this car over the past forty-nine years?
It’s very original on the outside as well, though I don’t think that luggage rack was original equipment. It looks like something from a J.C. Whitney catalog. Those wheel covers are the originals, though. It has a little rust at the base of the windshield, but if that’s all there is, that’s impressive for a ’77 Corona. I just wish it were some other color; too many of these old Coronas seem to be painted white.
You wouldn’t want to drive these year-round anywhere that uses road salt; they’d rust away to nothing in no time, like all the other examples have. But for fair-weather use, they’re perfect. If you want a fast car, or a corner-carver, look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for just want a nice old car that you don’t see everywhere, these both fit the bill. Honestly, I don’t think there’s a bad choice here, but it’s not up to me. It’s up to you. Which one gets your vote?
My aunt had that exact Volvo in Mustard Yellow, tinged slightly green by moss in Tacoma when I was growing up. She got rear ended something like 6 times when it was worth so little that denting the bumper totalled it. These things were tanks, so the only damage WAS to the bumper. She kept buying it back from insurance, pocketing the extra cash, and having a friend knock the bumper back into shape. Eventually gave it to my cousin, who traded it in on a same year Monte Carlo with a (very badly aftermarket installed) supercharger that lasted about 3 months before the engine grenaded.
For nostalgia, I’d go for the Volvo. But I’m like 2 miles from the Corona, it’s in better shape, and you just don’t see them anymore. Both?
Both of these would make me happy, but I voted for the Corona as I have usually voted for the Volvos earlier and it’s nice to mix shit up sometimes.
The Volvo. I don’t know why, but I like the look of utilitarian designs.
Definitely a BOTH day for me. Toughest choice in a long time! My first thought was Volvo for the seats. I’ve owned a 22R engine and a bit older carbed Volvo. Damn! I’ll give a nod to the Toyota. But really, BOTH.
The Corona 2-door is way more of a unicorn.
That Corona is in pretty nice shape. It’s not a car I’d necessarily chase, but I see the appeal. The Volvo might be okay for a very particular enthusiast, but I’d hope they knock the price down a little.
Corona for me. I like the style a little better, lower mileage and still has the original seats it seems. And it doesn’t have rust holes like the Volvo has. Aaand… the seller dropped the price to 3500.
It’s hard to beat a 240 Volvo, but that Corona is in amazing condition all things considered, and will probably be equally unkillable.
I’m a big Volvo fan, but I can’t remember the last time I saw a Corona, much less a 2 door, in that good of condition.
These are both keepers, but I have to give the Corona the win based on its rarity!
Team Volvo for me — I’ve always liked that design. Looks like a brick, also solid as one.
As for that luggage rack on the Corona — It might be a JC Whitney add on by a previous owner, or it could be a dealer-installed accessory. I recall those showing up on the regular on Japanese imports fresh off the lot where I grew up.
Almost twin to my first Volvo (and the first car I bought myself)! Same year, same color combo, but mine had overdrive and a sunroof – fancy! I still have the factory AM/FM mono radio from it sitting on a shelf in Maine.
Bought it in 1988 – a 12yo car with 140K on it, and it was getting rusty and pretty used up. Which would make it tied with the newest car I own today, my ’14 Mercedes wagon. Cars sure have come a long way in the past 50 years as far as longevity goes.
Still, Volvo for me! Japanese cars didn’t do much for me back then and still don’t. Volvos are dull but worthy enough while being far more solid feeling.
Wow, I’d be happy with either I think. I do love older Toyotas but I wish that one was in a better color. Both these cars are lessons that the simplicity of clean dash and console look a lot better than the cluttered screen dominated cars of today.
Oh yeah, I voted Volvo mainly for the color. I think I have to take a trip to Portland soon. Great beers, cool old cars and keepin’ things weird!
I still see old Volvo’s on occasion. Old Toyota? Never. Gimme the Corona.
A manual 242 smooth hood that’s the same year as my first ever car – a 245? I don’t care how many miles it has, I want it! I don’t even care that it’s not an AC car, I will scour junkyards an swap in everything I need to fix that, and an overdrive.
Look at the simple uncluttered interior of that Toyota. Just the stick coming out of the floor and a basic dash.
I never had a Volvo, but the luggage rack on the Corona flashed me back to 1992 and my first Subaru, a GLF I found a rack for in a junk yard.
Nostalgia vote for the Toyota
Volvo. While I currently have and love Toyotas, the 70’s were not a great time for Toyota rustproofing – that Corona is going to dissolve (…at least in Minnesota) faster than British steel ever did – though if I lived in a more clement climate? There is an undeniable charm to old Japanese cars.
Yes, definitely a BOTH day! 😀
The Toyota is the slightly smarter choice, and will probably win. Heck, if I weren’t so smitten with old Volvos, I’d have chosen it myself. It’s a bit nicer inside, and probably a tick more reliable day-to-day, but I tell myself that the Volvo would be considerably safer if t-boned by a 90 lb. soccer mom distracted by her phone as she hustles her Range Rover though a red light. Plus, the 242 is the right/best color, better looking outside as a two-door, comes with a roof rack, and has those alloys from a Turbo (which are still old-Volvo-sized of course, so tires will be relatively cheap). Also, the redblock engine will probably outlive the Toyota (and the rest of the Volvo itself) even though it’s got twice as many miles on the clock now.
So: Volvo. But I want both. 😉
I’m a Toyota fan, and this one seems pretty nice. But damn that Volvo is a good 2nd choice. This is almost a Both day.
The Volvo is gorgeous – despite the round headlamps.
I can’t help but try to imagine someone trying to change a CD in motion – considering it’s right behind the shift lever.
Somehow, I like ALL the different 240 headlights: the round and rectangular, the doubles, and even the giant cinderblocks which my own 240 has. I’ve been wanting to replace mine w/euro cinderblocks (which are made of glass instead of plastic) but haven’t started pricing yet, because I suspect it’s prohibitively expensive.
Expensive and good ones are getting to be unobtanium. But they are FAR better as headlights. The plastic ones should be considered war crimes.
The Corona is a pleasant surprise. Be sure to get the Cal blue plate with it if you buy it…. Me? I’ll take the Volvo.
Tough choice.
I like all variants of the Volvo 240 so this car appeals to me. I like cars that are presentable but not perfect – I want to be able to drive my cars without worrying about damaging them. It would be nice if the interior was in better condition, though. At least the asking price seems appropriate for condition.
Unlike the 240, I don’t have much specific interest in a Toyota Corona. However, this is very interesting as a preserved ordinary car. If you want an interesting (I’m not quite ready to call it “cool”) old car in good condition and don’t want to spend a lot of money, this car is a great choice.
I ended up voting for the Toyota. While I prefer 240s over Coronas, it would be hard to turn down the Toyota in this condition for this price. I probably would pass on this 240, though, if only because I would spend a little more money to get a slightly nicer example.
The big question is will either one pass smog? In California probably not. Here old cars have to do the “dyno test” which tests for 3 gasses including NOX. As the Toyota has a carburetor and lots of vacuum hoses good luck. The Volvo has EFI but will it need catalytic convertor? Does it burn oil?!
If you’re in Oregon get an address outside DEQ. Then won’t have to smog them. I’m thinking I want neither. 75 or older would be smog exempt here in California.
In my experience as a Californian since the ’90s, with a penchant for old cars, most can be made to pass smog, though it usually requires one or two visits to a mechanic first. Every four years/two test cycles or so, I wind up spending about a grand to get my ’90s Miata to pass (half of that $1,000. is for test-related tweaks, the other half for whatever else the car wants, such as plug wires, a new radiator, etc…).
I also have a 240 (a ’89 manual wagon) that I bought just half a year ago. I think there’s a new rule that says a seller has to re-smog the car before selling, because there’s a little sticker on the windshield saying ‘pass.’ This re-test doesn’t ‘last’ the full two years that the regular test does… the sold car comes with only the existing ‘balance’ of the last regular test. So, my car will have to be re-tested early next year per usual.
There’s also the option (so I’m told) of finding someone to pass the car regardless. My impression is that this used to run about $300. or so, pre-pandemic, so is probably more like $500. now (a regular/legal test for a pre-OBD-II car is about $150. these days for reference).
Yes, here the seller needs to get it smogged prior to resale. My ’84 Alfa would pass but it was close. And my ’73 240Z wouldn’t . I used to have to go to the Referee station in the next city and it was a pain. I don’t have either car now but do wonder about the current rule. 1975 or older are exempt now. I have an in-law that still has his cars registered in Colorado. He has lived here since 2008 so I wonder if that’s an option.
I voted for the Toyota 🙂
Both. But if I have to choose, I always loved the looks of the brick Volvos. And I have a use for that roof rack.