Junkyard Find: 1968 Volvo 142

by Murilee Martin

Published: July 11th, 2012

After seeing this 1969 Volvo 145 wagon a couple of weeks back, I figured I wouldn’t be seeing any more 140s for quite a while. Not so!

It’s a not-completely-rusty 44-year-old Swede with four-on-the-floor and a clean-looking engine. You’d think that 140 coupes would be worth something, but this one couldn’t find anyone to save it from The Crusher.

Once again, the “thermometer” speedo reminds me of my ’68 Volvo 144.

Those SU carbs look to be in good shape. In fact, the entire B18 engine looks good.

Perhaps it will yield some of its parts for surviving 140s before being shredded and shipped to a Chinese steel plant.

#1960s #1968 #1968Volvo142 #Denver #DownOnTheJunkyard #Junkyard #JunkyardFind #Volvo #Volvo140 #Volvo142

Murilee Martin

Murilee Martin is the pen name of Phil Greden, a writer who has lived in Minnesota, California, Georgia and (now) Colorado. He has toiled at copywriting, technical writing, junkmail writing, fiction writing and now automotive writing. He has owned many terrible vehicles and some good ones. He spends a great deal of time in self-service junkyards. These days, he writes for publications including Autoweek, Autoblog, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars and Capital One.

More by Murilee Martin

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 21 comments

Lorenzo on Jul 11, 2012

One little correction, Murilee: most of that shredded steel is going to U.S. recyclers who produce more steel than the primary producers, not China. Bertel will correct me, but I believe MOST steel made in China is primary steel, made from ore, not scrap. Japan used to be the primary destination for scrap steel, but China never took over that business - unlike Japan, China has large iron ore deposits, and prefers to augment it by buying high grade ore from places like Brazil. That Volvo is more likely to be turned into a Kenmore washer or dryer.

Like Reply
Hootbot on Jul 14, 2012

I need those fenders for my car... So badly.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

RHD The analyses above are on the nose.It's a hell of a good car, but the mileage is reaching the point where things that should have worn out a long time ago, and didn't, will, such as the alternator, starter, exhaust system, PS pump, and so on. The interiors tend to be the first thing to show wear, other than the tires, of course. The price is too high for a car that probably has less than a hundred thousand miles left in it without major repairs. A complete inspection is warranted, of course, and then a lower offer based on what it needs. Ten grand for any 18-year-old car is a pretty good chunk of change. It would be a very enjoyable, ride, though.
Fred I would get the Acura RDX, to replace my Honda HR-V. Both it and the CRV seats are uncomfortable on longer trips.
RHD Now that the negative Nellies have chimed in...A reasonably priced electric car would be a huge hit. There has to be an easy way to plug it in at home, in addition to the obvious relatively trickle charge via an extension cord. Price it under 30K, preferably under 25K, with a 200 mile range and you have a hit on your hands. This would be perfect for a teenager going to high school or a medium-range commuter. Imagine something like a Kia Soul, Ford Ranger, Honda CR-V, Chevy Malibu or even a Civic that costs a small fraction to fuel up compared to gasoline. Imagine not having to pay your wife's Chevron card bill every month (then try to get her off of Starbuck's and mani-pedi habits). One car is not the solution to every case imaginable. But would it be a market success? Abso-friggin-lutely. And TTAC missed today's announcement of the new Mini Aceman, which, unfortunately, will be sold only in China. It's an EV, so it's relevant to this particular article/question.
Ajla It would. Although if future EVs prove relatively indifferent to prior owner habits that makes me more likely to go used.
28-Cars-Later One of the biggest reasons not to purchase an EV that I hear is...that they just all around suck for almost every use case imaginable.