Volvo 140 Series

Volvo 140
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	1967–1974
Predecessor	Volvo Amazon
Successor	Volvo 240
Class	Mid-size
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 5-door estate
Layout	FR layout
Related	Volvo 164

The Volvo 140 was a car built by Volvo. Its model range consisted of the Volvo 142 sedan (two doors), Volvo 144 sedan (four doors) and Volvo 145 estate (station wagon). There was also the 145 Express with a higher roof. It was first introduced in 1967. Production ended in 1974 and the series was replaced by the Volvo 200 series which shared many of the 140 components behind the engine compartment, but boasted a new overhead cam engine and improved suspension and crash resistance. Starting with the 140 series, Volvo used a three number system for their cars. The first number was the series, the second number the number of cylinders and the third number the number of doors. The 140 was the first Volvo to feature the classic "boxy" look which provided a lot of interior space. Compared to the Volvo Amazon, the 140 was a radical new design with the only similar styling features being the split grill and some parts of the interior. Its basic shape would live into the 1990s with the 200 series. The first 140's used the same 85 hp (63 kW) B18 engine as the Amazon, with both cars later getting the 2 litre B20 engine. Mechanically, the car used many of the same drivetrain components as the Amazon, but also showcased many improvements, including disk brakes on all four wheels. It was named car of the year in 1966 by Swedish magazine Teknikens Värld. Around the same time, the Volvo 164 was produced, which shared much of the 140 series styling (except for the front), but incorporated a 6-cylinder engine. Volvo produced a highroofed version of the Volvo 145 estate wagon known as an Express as a replacement for the Volvo Duett. While eagerly sought now by fans of more esoteric Volvos, the Express was something of a disappointment to those who insisted on comparing it to the lamented late Duett. However it found a niche market and several couchbuilder firms made "Express" versions of the 245. As it was never intended to be a volume seller the rear hatch was made in glass-reinforced plastic.

Volvo 142 (coupe version)

Volvo 144 (sedan version)

Volvo 145 (estate version)

External links

• http://home.swipnet.se/volvo140/
• http://www.140-klubben.org/
• http://www.algonet.se/~volvieo/140/
• Volvo 140 Pictures
• Volvo 145 video: "Daily Driver"