#TBT: One of the fastest Volvos before Polestar? The 740 Turbo.

Forget the Hokey-Pokey. Boost-fueled Volvo trickery, that’s what it’s all about. Nothing pokey about it.

Sure, on the outside these things look just like any other older Volvo, with their bricklike aerodynamics and a safe, sensible image. Through most of the 1980s, Volvo 740s seemed to be the vehicle of choice for dentists’ wives and soccer moms. It’s the kind …

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745 turbo with turbo plus.  Lovely, speedy things to drive.  Can't use "pretty", though.  Too much window?  Too much 6000le?  Dunno.

Volvos.  They're boxy, but good.

I wanted a used 850 R wagon so bad, but they were hard to find. One day I found one about three hours away from me. It had it all, reputable dealer, honest price, clean as hell. I found it on the internet, called immediately, car was still for sale so I put down a deposit to hold it.  Dealer called me back an hour later and said that a salesman had just taken another deposit before mine. I was crushed. <kicks rock>

Ive had a 95 850 turbo, a 780 Bertone (MS2, Super 60, an S70 T5 manual but want a 2 series wagon or 2 door next

Da Flyin' Moose!  740 Turbo cheapo endurance racer!  Not cheap!  Well, lots cheaper than anything modern, like IM$A

Grassroots Motorsports!    

Randy Pobst forever friend and fan of GRM, from the beginning. 

Hey Randy! Love that Volvo, wow! Was just watching your video on the Mach 1 Mustang this morning, really enjoyed it!

I've seen the car up close and witnessed it being dyno tuned at my good friends house, wish I could have met you as well as your car Mr. Pobst

I know this is an old thread, but I love it when these old articles pop up a few times a week.  The 740 Turbo wagon with 5-speed was rare in the 1990's and when one was traded in to the Volvo dealership where I was working, one of the other salesmen quickly claimed it as his own.  I did get to drive it and I must say that it actually felt nimble and light, especially since it wasn't a small car by any means.  What was especially impressive was the acceleration and the fact that this four cylinder car could actually spin the rear wheels. 

Aside from the coolness inherent in a wagon, the Bertone-styled 780 really floats my boat.  They have very nice lines for a Volvo (if you don't especially like the boxy look, but I love it) and I have wanted to find one to do an LS swap and make it a road terror.  If the boxy ones like Randy's racer look pretty cool, a 780 would look just bonkers beautiful! 

I picked up my '90 940T Wagon new from the factory in Sweden when I lived in Italy. I still have it and I'm not parting with it. I bought it through a Volvo dealer in Napoli. My test drive was was in a wagon just like mine except with a 2.0L dohc turbo 5 spd which was a real sleeper and faster than my new car was on the Autostrada.

I have a spare Penta AQ251 marine engine (redblock dohc, stroker) that someday I'll freshen up to swap into the 940. I'm just going to use a sohc head though and keep it basic. I have the spare bits to build the 2.5L including the best (531, iirc) sohc head, 90+ turbo manifold, etc. I'll raise the static c.r. compared to the stock 2.3L and use a low-boost turbo. It is still an everyday type car, not intended for racing.

My beef with the car is poor winter traction. If it has limited slip at all it is an Eaton locker and erratic. The the 940 turbo option wheels were 6.5 or 7 x 16 with 205/55-16 tires. Winter driving would likely improve with 15" wheels and higher profile winter tires and/or a better LSD unit. The AW71 a/t used on the turbo engine doesn't have a lock-up tc and I may upgrade that but It's not a high priority right now.

There is definitely a cult following of the redblock cars (known as 'Bricks") and parts are still plentiful.

Too bad I didn't wait a few years before stuffing a B30 6 cylinder motor into my 1800. I could have had a turbo!