| Volvo 140 Series | |
|---|---|
 Volvo 145 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Cars |
| Production | 1966–1974 |
| Assembly | |
| Designer | Jan Wilsgaard |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive car |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Volvo 164 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 102.5 in (2,604 mm)[4] |
| Length | 183.1 in (4,651 mm)[4] 144 sedan, 1973 |
| Width | 68.1 in (1,730 mm)[4] 144 sedan, 1973 |
| Height | 56.7 in (1,440 mm)[4] 144 sedan, 1973 |
| Curb weight | between 2,580 lb (1,170 kg) (142 base model) and 2,898 lb (1,315 kg) (145 de Luxe)[5][6] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volvo Amazon Volvo Duett |
| Successor | Volvo 200 Series |
TheVolvo 140 Series is a line ofmid-size cars manufactured and marketed byVolvo from 1966 to 1974 in two- and four-door sedan (models 142 and 144 respectively) as well as five-doorstation wagon (model 145) body styles, with numerous intermediate facelifts. More than a million Volvo 140s were built in 8 years.
Volvo Cars began manufacturing theVolvo 144 atTorslandaverken in the late summer of 1966[7] for the 1967model year. The 144 series, which followed theVolvo Amazon (120 series, outside of Sweden), was the first Volvo to use a tri-digit nomenclature, where the first digit indicated series, second digit indicated the number of cylinders, and third digit indicated the number of doors. Thus, a "144" was a first series, 4-cylinder, 4-door sedan. The 144 was the first Volvo to feature a morerectilinear or boxy styling. Compared to theVolvo Amazon, the 140 was a radical departure with minimal exterior and interior carryover, notably a stylised version of the front split grille. The car's basic shape would survive into the 1990s as the200 series. Mechanically, the car used many of the same drivetrain components as the Amazon, but also showcased many improvements, includingdisc brakes on all four wheels. It was named car of the year in 1966 by Swedish magazineTeknikens Värld. The engine in the standard 144 was the same as found in the standardAmazon (121), the 1.8lB18A, but the 144S was given the more powerfulB18B from the 123GT and1800S. Late in the 1967 model year production of theVolvo 142 (2-door sedan) began, in time to build 1500 units for the first year.[8] In 1968 production of theVolvo 145 5-doorstation wagon began, completing the three body styles used in the 140 range.
For the 1969 model year Volvo enlarged the B18 to become the 2.0 litreB20 and replaced thegenerator with a more modernalternator. It was also in 1969 that Volvo introduced the164, which shared much of the 140 series structure and styling aft of the windshield while incorporating a six-cylinder engine, theB30 which was simply aB20 with two more cylinders and a few strengthened and enlarged components. Volvo also introduced the Express this year (see below).
In 1970 a flow-through ventilation system, where vents were added towards the rear of the car (on the exterior under the rear window on the 142 and 144 and as a grille next to the right side taillight of the 145) and electrically defrosted rear windows, were introduced. The split rear side window on the 145 became one piece which was no longer possible to open.
In 1971 the first of several styling changes were introduced, including a revised black grille which saw the now ubiquitous Volvo diagonal line introduced as well as new wheels. A console on the transmission tunnel with a clock was now standard. Model year 1971 also saw the introduction of theB20E, which was a high compression version of the B20 which introduced Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, giving a power figure of 124 PS (91 kW; 122 hp) DIN or 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) SAE.[9] These new cars were either given the designation E (the German word Einspritzung, or "injection") or GL (for Grand Luxe), which was a more upmarket version of the car. The Grand Luxe received a four-speed manual with overdrive as standard fitment, with an automatic optional.[9]
The styling changes continued in 1972 with the introduction of flush mounted door handles and a slightly revised dashboard with fake woodgrain trim, newly designed switches and a small central panel with a clock. The transmission tunnel was taken from the 164 as was the same short-shifter gear stick and the automatic transmission became controlled by a selector mounted on the floor at the same place. The outer rear seats now had the mounting points for retractable seatbelts. A low compression fuel injected engine (8.7:1), the B20F was introduced for the US and certain other markets.
In 1973 the 140 series received a major facelift, with a new plastic grille, new larger indicators and a completely revised tail end. Also, the S designation was dropped and the range consisted of three trim levels, standard (with no designation, known as L, or "luxe"), de Luxe, and the most upmarket, Grand Luxe. The interior also had a completely redesigned padded dashboard with a new instrument cluster consisting of dials rather than the strip speedometer previously used, rocker switches replacing the push-pull switches (with the exception of the headlight switch), and vents to direct air towards the person augmenting the defrost and floor vents. This dashboard in its basic form was carried over to the 200-series with only small modifications.
In 1974, the B20E/F engine switched from using the Bosch D-Jetronic to the K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection system. Also, several safety changes were introduced including a fuel tank that was located close to the axle to protect it in the case of arear-end collision, and larger bumpers that protruded more from the body. The quarter-light windows in the front doors were removed as a result of the improvements in ventilation inside the car, and small anodised aluminium strips were added to the bottom of the side windows. US-market cars received the emissions-scrubbed B20F engine producing 109 hp (81 kW; 111 PS) at 6000 rpm.[10]
A total of 412,986 2-door sedans, 523,808 4-door sedans, and 268,317 5-door station wagons were produced.
In 1974, the 140 series evolved into the240 series for the 1975 model year. The 164 was continued for another year in certain markets.
In 1973 Sweden establisheddiplomatic relations withNorth Korea. Around 1000 Volvo 144 were ordered by North Korea and delivered, but apparently never paid for, with the outstanding debits still existing in 2025. The 144 remained one of the few western cars on North Korean roads for several decades.[11]
As a replacement for theVolvo Duett, Volvo produced a high roofed version of the Volvo 145 station wagon, known as the 145 Express. From the windscreen back, the roof was raised by approximately 5 cm (2 in), and from the B-pillar back it was raised again by about 30 cm (1 ft). It was available in three configurations: standard station wagon (full glazing and five seats with the option of an extra two rear-facing seats), fully glazed panel-van with only two seats, and a two-seater panel van with no glass in the rear doors and rear quarter panels. It found a niche market, and severalcoachbuilder firms later made Express versions of the 245. Its rear hatch was made ofglass-reinforced plastic.
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