Volvo 240-Series Wagon 1978

The 1978 240 wagon belongs to the early phase of the model’s life, before the 1981 and 1986 restylings. At this point, its identity is defined mainly by the original styling and engineering package: straight lines, a substantial body, and a design centered on safety. The wagon is distinguished primarily by its five-door body style, which gives it a more practical character than the four-door sedan. The dossier does not specify trim or equipment details for 1978, but it does place this version within a range intended to evolve over time. The 240 would continue to develop through later updates, keeping its appeal through a combination of visual and technical improvements.

The 240-Series was offered in several body styles: sedan, wagon, and coupe. In 1978, the wagon is identified by its five-door layout and extended rear section, while the sedan has four doors and the less common coupe uses two doors with a lower roofline. The range also relied on different mechanical solutions over time. Initially, the 240 came with inline four-cylinder engines, available in carbureted and fuel-injected forms. In 1978, the introduction of a six-cylinder inline diesel engine in a passenger car expanded the range further on some markets. The 1978 wagon therefore sits in a model line intended to serve a wide variety of needs, from family use to more specific market requirements.