A tax scheme that fell through ended up preserving an early Volvo 745 GL in mint condition instead of it being worn out and scrapped. Total mileage since 1986: just 11,740 km!
The older a car gets, the more stories it carries.
A Volvo estate with a diesel engine that was converted into a light truck—with a plywood cargo floor and a fixed cargo net—even before delivery shouldn’t really still exist today. But this particular example is virtually unused. What’s more, it offers a unique glimpse into Sweden in the 1980s.
At Bilweb Auctions’ major Volvo-themed auction, ending on June 5, there are plenty of fascinating automotive stories—none more compelling than that of this unused Volvo wagon.
The estate version of the Volvo 740 was long awaited. It debuted as a 1986 model, two years after the sedan. One quick buyer was a small business owner from Småland. Planning to use the car for work, he chose the diesel version with the six-cylinder D24 engine from the Volkswagen Group. To get a bit more power than the standard 82 horsepower, he also had a turbocharger fitted.
The car was used for a year—then came the tax ruling from the Swedish Tax Agency: despite being registered as a truck, the Volvo was considered a company benefit car, which meant the owner would be taxed accordingly.
Frustrated, the owner parked the car—and it has barely been driven since, aside from occasional inspection trips. All original parts removed during the truck conversion were kept and remain in mint condition. The car has stayed in the same family ever since.
Only 138 Volvo 745 GLs with diesel engines remain in Sweden—and it's highly unlikely any are in better condition. The estimated value is SEK 150,000 to 190,000, but anything can happen at auction.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns into a bidding war,” says Michael Luft at Bilweb Auctions. “This might very well be the finest Volvo 745 in the world!”
Bilweb Auctions has established itself as the leading platform for classic car sales in Sweden, handling around a thousand auction cars each year. With certified inspectors and a transparent process for both buyers and sellers, the platform has proven highly successful. The special auction, featuring around 40 classic Volvo models, ends on June 5—bidding is already underway.
See the volvo here
