Volvo 140 series (1966 - 1974) - Overview

VOLVO 140 series (1966-1974)

In August 1966, Volvo presented a new 4-door car called the Volvo 144. It represented the start of an entirely new car series which, until 1974, accounted for Volvo's volume models.

The styling of the 144 was truly timeless and this is confirmed by the fact that the car, in further-developed form, was still being sold successfully in the early 1990s (the 240). The characteristic features of this car included the large glass areas and three side windows.

The 144 was a very spacious car with a large luggage compartment. The Volvo 144 also included many new safety features. In addition to the body with its energy-absorbing zones front and rear, there was a unique braking system in which each braking circuit handled three wheels. Disc brakes were used on all four wheels. The interior had no protruding parts and there were safety belts for the driver and front-seat passenger.

The two-door version in the 140-series, the Volvo 142, was introduced early in the summer of 1967 - in other words, less than a year after the 144.

At the end of November 1967, Volvo presented the third variant in what was now developing into a complete car family known as the 140 Series: the Volvo 145.

The Volvo 145 was a 5-door estate with a rear section that had a virtually vertical tailgate.The cargo volume was more than 2 cubic metres and the floor of the cargo area was completely flat.

This design of the rear section has since become a well-known characteristic of all Volvo estates.

The Volvo 145 quickly became an extremely popular estate and played an increasingly important role within the 140 Series.

MODEL SPECIFICATIONS 

Model: 142, 144, 145

Produced: 1,205,111 (142: 412,986, 144: 523,808, 145: 268,317) 

Body: 2- and 4-door saloon, 5-door estate

Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line, overhead valves, 1.8 litres (B18), 75 or 96 bhp and 2.0 litres (B20), in several power versions ranging from 82 to 124 hp

Transmission: 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive or 3-speed automatic.

Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels.

Dimensions: Overall length 464 cm, wheelbase 260 cm