In the early 1990s, I worked in the film industry as a production coordinator and my daily driver was a Porsche 911 coupe. In that job, I needed a car that could carry more than two people and be nice yet not too nice. You see, one of my extra duties as a production coordinator was picking up actors and crew members at various airports and taking them to hotels near our shooting locations. Being a car person, I wanted something unique and reliable, something with a sense of style yet affordable and well built. This was a difficult combination to find, but after searching for a few weeks, I ended up with a Volvo 262C Bertone coupe.
This turned out to be an excellent choice as the 262C was comfortable, could hold the actors’ or crew members’ luggage, had a luxurious interior, and styling that always seemed to start a conversation, especially with those who were into cars. I remember picking up Bill Paxton at the airport while working on “Tombstone” and the conversation we had about the car was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
The 262C was Volvo’s first luxury coupe since the 1800 series cars of the 1960s and ’70s. It utilized the new 240-series chassis, but changed things up a bit. Interestingly, the Bertone coupe’s primary styling was not Italian but Swedish, done in-house at Volvo by Jan Wilsgaard. The basic chassis was then sent to Bertone in Italy for construction. Volvo did this because they did not have a production line that could facilitate the construction of a limited-run model.
The 262C Bertone coupe’s exterior styling changes included a chopped roof that was about three inches lower than that of the standard 240/260-series cars, giving the car a more rakish, GT look. The Bertone coupe’s interior was also upgraded and included central locking, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, heated seats, nice wood accents, and luxurious, almost Maserati-like leather as standard equipment.
Our Pick of the Day is one of these rare cars, a 1979 Volvo 262C Bertone coupe located in St. Louis, Missouri. The selling dealer describes this car as a classic beauty that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. It is finished in its original color of Metallic Gold, the same color mine was. Also like my car, this one does not have the vinyl roof, which I always thought looked a little dated and somewhat frumpy.
The dealer goes on to state that the tan leather interior adds a touch of luxury, providing a comfortable and stylish ride. The interior looks remarkably well kept. I would guess that it is original as it is a complicated interior to reproduce.
Under the hood, this Bertone coupe has had its less-than-wonderful inline-six swapped for a much more reliable Volvo Redblock 2.3-liter I4 engine, paired with a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The dealer reports that this combination offers a smooth and responsive driving experience, making every journey a pleasure.
They also say that this Volvo is not just about looks and performance; it also comes equipped with a range of features designed for your comfort and convenience. The air conditioning system ensures a pleasant environment inside the car, regardless of the weather outside. The car also boasts a range of power features, including power brakes, power steering, and power windows, all designed to make your driving experience as effortless as possible.
The selling dealer closes their listing by saying this 1979 Volvo 262C Bertone coupe combines classic design, performance, and a range of features to provide a driving experience that is both enjoyable and comfortable. This car is a testament to Volvo’s reputation for producing high-quality, reliable vehicles.
I have to say that I agree. It is considerably more difficult to find a car that is truly different in the collector car world, especially one that is as rare as this one: Only 6,622 cars were built for the entire world. In addition, the majority of these Volvo 262C Bertone coupes have been so abused over the years that finding one this nice is quite difficult. This example, which also has an excellent-looking transplant of the later and superior 2.3-liter Volvo engine, appears to be an excellent buy at an asking price of only $22,500. If you want a car that makes a statement and is likely to be the only one of its kind at any car show on the planet, this 1979 Volvo 262C Bertone coupe might be just the ticket.
Click here to view the listing for this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com.