15 Months Gone: 1978 Volvo 262C Bertone – Sold?

November 7, 2021 Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s past history we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

October 6, 2021 Update – The Internet and GuysWithRides.com never forget. After two months of not posting an updated listing, the private seller just relisted their rare Bertone Volvo with a revised asking price of $6,900. That figure is back up to where they started fifteen months ago.

August 16, 2021 Update – while this rare Bertone Volvo “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s past history we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing.

July 15, 2021 Update – Sure enough, after another two-month hiatus, we found the seller of this rare Volvo 262C Bertone listed it again, monthly this time they are back to asking $6,900, which was their original asking price. We also note the pictures provided are the same ones used in the original listing over one year ago, so you may want to ask the seller for updated ones.

May 8, 2021 Update – while this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s past history we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing.

March 30, 2021 Update – Fast forward eight months, and this rare Volvo Bertone Coupe we thought had sold was in fact kept by the same owner until now.  Perhaps they had a change of heart at the time and thought they would continue working on it. Unfortunately, based on the latest ad it appears he has not had any time to work on his Bertone since he placed the last ad. Unfortunately, the seller did not take the time to provide updated pictures, choosing instead to continue using the shots from last summer.  This time around, he lowered the price to $6,000 firm.

July 6, 2020 Update:  Volvo 262C Bertone Coupes were a very rare site when new and this four-speed, Volvo Red-Block swapped example is even harder to find.  Priced to sell based on the driver quality condition, we’re not surprised this example’s listing quickly deleting, indicating the car is likely sold.

Inspired by the Lincoln Mark IV, Volvo’s first foray to try and capture personal luxury car buyers was the 262C Bertone Coupe such as this 1978 silver-over-black leather four-speed example originally listed in July 2020 and relisted again in October 2021 in Charlottesville, Virginia with the price reset last year’s original $6,900 ask.   A review of the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller’s price fell between the #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $10,500 and the #3 “Good” estimate of $6,500. We note that these values have increased for these cars by nearly one thousand dollars each since we first featured this car last year.

In their price guide for these cars, Hagerty Insurance provides a great summary of the background of how and why Volvo created the Bertone Coupe:

“The Volvo 262C had an unusual genesis, proving that the notoriously conservative company can indeed think outside of the box on occasion, much as it had with the P1900 of 1956 and 1957. In this case, the trigger for the chop-top Bertone-bodied 262 coupe was the Lincoln Mark IV.

Volvo engineers were fascinated by the Mark IV when Henry Ford II brought a number of them to Sweden. “The Deuce” was inspecting the works of Volvo in the 1970s as Volvo’s CEO Per Gyllenhammar reinvented the idea of factory work. Gyllenhammar reasoned that if teams of workers built each car, they would feel more involved; there would be fewer defects, fewer work-related injuries, and lower employee turnover. This idea was viewed with much interest overseas, and Ford came to check it out.

Volvo designers studied the big Lincoln two-door coupes, with their cut-down roofs and wide C-pillars, wondering how they could build something similar. Starting from scratch would be prohibitively expensive, so Volvo turned to Carrozzeria Bertone at a European auto show. Bertone had already built the Europe-only Volvo 264TE stretch limousine and since 85 percent of the 262C already existed, all Bertone would have to make was the roof stamping, upper doors, windshield surround, and cowl.

Volvo shipped 262GL two-door sedan bodies to Turin, and Bertone finished the job, adding a leather interior. The end result generated much discussion and quite a bit of criticism. Chopping the roof three inches meant the windshield was laid back, and tall drivers would have to do the same. The seats had to be closer to the floor and the interior became a dark and gloomy place. However, it was fully optioned with all power accessories, air conditioning, and leather, and was powered by the 2.7-liter PRV (Peugeot/Renault/Volvo) SOHC V-6 engine, producing 127 horsepower. The only options were a limited-slip differential, a choice of stereo, and either a four-speed overdrive manual gearbox or automatic transmission.

The first 1978 models were only available in Mystic Silver with a black vinyl top and a black interior, costing a hefty $14,700. The standard 262 sedan trunk and tail lights were upgraded for the 1979 model, with a deeper trunk lid and wrap-around lights, but the price went up to $15,995. Gold or black paint colors were now offered, with black or tan leather interior. For 1980, the V-6 engine was bumped up to 2.8 liters (though only a 3 horsepower increase), and light metallic blue paint was offered along with a gold roof over bronze metallic—the price rose to $17,345. The final year of 1981 saw the vinyl roof disappear and the price climb to $19,550, about the same as a BMW 528i.

The combination of odd proportions and leisurely performance (0-60 in 11.4 seconds, top speed 110 mph) doomed the 262C to limited appeal, which was reflected in modest sales. In all, only 6,622 cars were built: 1,670 in 1978, 2,120 in 1979, 1,920 in 1980 and 912 in 1981. About 75 percent of the 262Cs came to the U.S.

Today these cars have a small cult following among Volvo enthusiasts, which are a small cult collective of their own. The low production numbers all but guarantee it won’t meet itself going down the road, and the chopped roofline lends a degree of style that other Volvos don’t possess. Rusty examples are obviously to be avoided; otherwise, the 262C is a reliable and affordable choice for someone looking for something completely different.”

Additionally, Hemmings writer Mark J. McCourt’s Volvo 262C Buyer’s Guide is a must-read if you are serious about buying this example or a similar model.

We always liked the squared-off roofline of these first-gen Bertone Coupes.  In addition to what appears to be a very solid body, we love seeing the original infamous PRV motor replaced with a much more stout Volvo Red Block mill.  However, there’s a side of us that would love to do an LS swap on this to create a silver sleeper.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s was the seller’s description that he duplicated from what he wrote originally in the Summer of 2020. The only change from then being the revised lower price is firm and he is not interested in trades.

“1978 Volvo Bertone 134,000 miles.

Work recently completed – fuel pump, relay, and lines replaced. Runs well. Nearly new exhaust just welded and tightened up. Car is ready to drive and enjoy.

The engine is a 4 cylinder Red Block Volvo engine. Wanted everyone to know that it is not the original motor. The original Peugeot engine was problematic so many people switched them out.

This is a nice-looking car and is very rare. Especially with the 4-speed overdrive.

Price is firm.

No trades. No trades. No trades.”

Do you have a Volvo Bertone story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!