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CC Follow Up: The Volvo Bertone Coupe Is Now A Swedish Sled

By
Paul Niedermeyer
– Posted on July 20, 2012

Ran into this a couple of weeks ago, and thought “hmm; haven’t I seen you before, but looking a bit different?” Given that the last time I shot it for its CC was in the “junk-yard” of Trackside Auto Repair, and this time it was out front, the correlation didn’t exactly take a lot of mental effort. But quite a bit of effort has gone into turning this oft-ridiculed Bertone Coupe into something quite appealing indeed: a 300 hp turbocharged Swedish Sled, with a slick new front end too.

Here’s how it looked then.

The new nose is a huge improvement alone. It’s from a European-spec 240 series, and gives it a very clean and distinctive look.

Turns out the coupe is owned by the owner of this Volvo-oriented garage. And he’s got one or two more coupes. Someone loves them. And knows how to treat them right. Lowered sports suspension; I’m not sure where the white taillights came from.A paint job is next.

Swedish Sleds; rolls off the tongue quite nicely.

A cleaned up interior with different seat.

And of course, the most important changes are under the hood. This coupe started out as a four, but not the turbo version. I’ve already forgot half of what he told me, but needless to say, the sky’s the limit with these motors when it comes to dialing in power with more boost. 600? 650? There are some with that much. This one is still pretty mild, but I can’t remember whether he said 265 or 365 hp. Plenty, either way.

← Curbside Capsule: 1969 Ford Thunderbird
CC Clue: Sport →

22 Comments

  1. Reply
    avatar Tom Klockau
    Posted July 20, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    I normally don’t go for custom cars, but this one looks good. It would look great in black or emerald green. Not sure about that spoiler, though.

    Those wheels are off of a circa 1990-92 740 or 940 Turbo. My mom’s best friend had a ’90 740 Turbo wagon with those wheels, until it burned to the ground in about 1996. A shame, as it was a beautiful car – red with black leather interior and a sunroof.

    One more thing: that chrome “Volvo” logo on top of the radiator is a door sill dress-up molding. Both my dad’s ’99 V70R and my own ’99 S70AWD had it.

    • Reply
      avatar Jordan Tenenbaum
      Posted July 21, 2012 at 8:36 AM

      Hydras. That was Volvo’s name for these beautiful 16 inch wheels. This Bertone really looks great with the Hydras! That plus the later 240 bumpers and the flatnose hood really clean the lines up. I could do without the clear lights.

  2. Reply
    avatar wstarvingteacher
    Posted July 20, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    I remembered this when I saw your top picture. I thought when I first saw it that it needed some TLC and looked way too good for the crusher. Good followup.

  3. Reply
    avatar Steve65
    Posted July 20, 2012 at 1:44 PM

    I hate to say it, but “ugh”.

    I liked it a lot better stock appearance. The new grille is ok, but the wheels, tail lights, stance, and wing make me cringe. Just not working for me for some reason.

    The sleeper motor, that I can get behind.

    • Reply
      avatar safe as milk
      Posted July 21, 2012 at 1:30 PM

      +1 egads!

  4. Reply
    avatar majo8
    Posted July 20, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    I like it, except for the taillights.

  5. Reply
    avatar Eric VanBuren
    Posted July 20, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    I don’t like the clear taillights at all either. The rest of it isn’t bad except the fact that it has a reverse rake either the front needs to come down a little bit more or the rear go up to make it level. Otherwise it is nice to see one of these get back on the road.

    • Reply
      avatar Steve65
      Posted July 20, 2012 at 5:57 PM

      I don’t think it’s raked at all. I think it’s an optical illusion caused by the differing front and rear wheel cutout shapes.

      • Reply
        avatar Eric VanBuren
        Posted July 20, 2012 at 7:01 PM

        You may be right and it’s just emphasized by the fact it is parked on a slope.

        • Reply
          avatar Steve65
          Posted July 21, 2012 at 1:51 PM

          Verdict from the SO: “It’s weird looking, and the tail lights are ugly”.

  6. Reply
    avatar suzulight
    Posted July 20, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    All these Bertone Coupes were 262C’s with that dreaded PRV V6, at least in America.

    • Reply
      avatar Paul Niedermeyer
      Posted July 20, 2012 at 9:21 PM

      I used to think so, until I found this one in its original condition. Turns out some came with the (non-turbo) four, at least in its later years.

      • Reply
        avatar Jordan Tenenbaum
        Posted July 21, 2012 at 8:40 AM

        Right. I believe by the end they were just called Bertone coupés; they dropped the 262c moniker.

  7. Reply
    avatar Bryce
    Posted July 21, 2012 at 12:06 AM

    Used to see these small blocked so a turbo is a different treatment, never liked the low lid coupe.

  8. Reply
    avatar C107
    Posted July 21, 2012 at 6:29 AM

    i love the quirky looks of the 262c. but … sorry, have to say it … that is just … wrong.

  9. Reply
    avatar principaldan
    Posted July 21, 2012 at 7:10 AM

    LOVE IT! The roof treatment makes it look a bit “custom” from the factory so why not go full on hot rod?

  10. Reply
    avatar superbadd75
    Posted July 21, 2012 at 10:11 AM

    Dump the spoiler and those craptastic taillamps, lay down a nice gunmetal gray paint job, and tint the hell out of the glass. That is one nice ride!

  11. Reply
    avatar Steve65
    Posted July 21, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    Bit of a topic hijack here…

    Any shots of the yellow Festiva in the background? And more to the point, does anybody know if any model year or version was offered in theStates without the stupid pillar-crawling seatbel system? I’ve always liked thouse cars, but I refuse to own or drive anything with those belts.

  12. Reply
    avatar Tom Klockau
    Posted July 21, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    Egad, I just noticed it has a giant ‘fast and furious’ exhaust pipe. No no no. Not on a Volvo!

  13. Reply
    avatar NZ Skyliner
    Posted July 21, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    Well that’s different! I’d much rather see it like this than languishing unusued and unloved at the back of shop. I’m liking the whole monochromatic effect the clear lights give.

  14. Reply
    avatar Casey Johnson
    Posted February 9, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    The car is going under a big transformation. The lights are being smoke tinted as well as the windows. The car is getting a coat of beautiful Italian Ferrari red,new gold mesh wheels,new 16 valve turbo engine in the 400-500hp range vs the 300ish hp engine. The 3in. exhaust will not change because how can u push 300+hp out of a 2in.hole without losing power.It will recieve a factory Volvo group A spoiler that actually works as intended and a few other mods.I will post some pics when it is finished. Thanks for the constructive criticism and remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    • Reply
      avatar Steve65
      Posted February 9, 2013 at 12:40 PM

      Awesome, and thanks for the update. Looking forward to seeing pics of the new upgrades.

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