Volvo 740

The Volvo 740 debuted in 1985 as a more affordable, 4-cylinder sibling to the V6-powered 760. It shared the same sharp, angular styling by Jan Wilsgaard that earned the series its "brick" nickname. Available as a sedan or a spacious wagon, the 740 quickly built a reputation for safety and durability, becoming a staple of suburban driveways throughout the late 80s and early 90s.

Collectors appreciate the 740 for its distinct retro styling and simple, robust mechanicals. Turbo models are the most desirable, offering a surprising turn of speed that can be easily enhanced, while the wagons add a layer of practicality that's hard to beat. The car's popularity within the "radwood" scene has pushed values for clean, original examples upward, especially for well-optioned Turbo Wagons with a manual transmission.

The market for the 740 is incredibly wide. The vast majority are still inexpensive, well-used cars that trade for a few thousand dollars. However, the average sale price of $11,162 is heavily skewed by a handful of pristine, low-mileage survivors and modified examples that have achieved collector status. These exceptional cars show the potential of the 740 market as interest continues to grow.

Prices for the Volvo 740 range from as little as $250 for project cars to more than $80,000 for pristine or highly modified examples.