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Description
One of Volvo’s novelties for the 1986 model year in Sweden was the 740 as an estate car, often referred to as the 745. This 1986 example was sold through Volvo’s Tourist & Diplomat Sales to the then Swedish ambassador to the Netherlands, Hans Danelius. It was delivered to him in Gothenburg in June 1986. The car was modestly equipped, including metallic paint, radio, alloy wheels, alarm, and a lockable fuel cap. It is also fitted with a vacuum-controlled CU system – hence the snowflake markings on the climate controls – but it does not have air conditioning.
At that time, Hans Danelius was not only ambassador but also Chairman of the UN Fund for Victims of Torture, a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, and a member of the European Commission of Human Rights. In autumn 1988, the car was registered in Sweden and has since had a handful of owners. The odometer now reads 180,990 km, and during the last decade it has been driven very sparingly.
The current owner has had the car since December 2024, and it passed its inspection in August 2025. The Volvo is therefore fully drivable, and for those wishing to further improve its condition, an exterior and interior detailing would enhance its appearance. It is currently fitted with steel wheels with all-season tires, and an additional set of wheels with summer tires on original Volvo alloys (see photo of the luggage compartment) comes with the car. Two sets of keys are included. A partially filled service book is present, as well as several documents from when the car was first delivered to Ambassador Danelius. A spare wheel and jack are in place in the luggage compartment. The car’s Tourist & Diplomat Sales origin is further confirmed by a key ring and a sticker on one of the side windows.
At that time, Hans Danelius was not only ambassador but also Chairman of the UN Fund for Victims of Torture, a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, and a member of the European Commission of Human Rights. In autumn 1988, the car was registered in Sweden and has since had a handful of owners. The odometer now reads 180,990 km, and during the last decade it has been driven very sparingly.
The current owner has had the car since December 2024, and it passed its inspection in August 2025. The Volvo is therefore fully drivable, and for those wishing to further improve its condition, an exterior and interior detailing would enhance its appearance. It is currently fitted with steel wheels with all-season tires, and an additional set of wheels with summer tires on original Volvo alloys (see photo of the luggage compartment) comes with the car. Two sets of keys are included. A partially filled service book is present, as well as several documents from when the car was first delivered to Ambassador Danelius. A spare wheel and jack are in place in the luggage compartment. The car’s Tourist & Diplomat Sales origin is further confirmed by a key ring and a sticker on one of the side windows.
Free history (37)
Technical data
Year
1986/1986
Registration date
1988-10-01
Mileage
180 994 km
Kw / hp
82 / 111
Fuel Type
Petrol
Transmission
Manual
Interior finish
Textile
Colour
Blue
Condition
-
Mechanical condition
Started and ran well during the test drive. Brakes, gearbox and suspension showed no issues at that time. Electrical functions such as the windshield wipers and radio were tested and worked.
-
Interior condition
A still attractive beige fabric upholstery that has stood the test of time well. The storage pockets on the back of the front seats are, as so often, somewhat stretched. A plastic trim piece above the right rear side window is broken. A common fault on the 700 series is sagging headliners, and in this case it has held up well, with the problem being only marginal on this car.
-
Exterior condition
A mostly straight and rust-free body, although some minor scratches, dents, and small rust spots are present – most notably some corrosion on the tailgate. The steel wheels currently fitted are missing their hubcaps. The front bumper has a few more visible scratches.
-
General condition
A Volvo estate is often heavily used and eventually worn out, but in that light this example has fared very well and shows a relatively low mileage – it is in good running condition.
MOT (tech. insp.)
Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 2025-03-31
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1988-09-23 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1988-10-01
Senast godkända besiktning: 2025-08-27
Besiktigad tom: 2027-08-31
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 5
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1988-09-23 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1988-10-01
Senast godkända besiktning: 2025-08-27
Besiktigad tom: 2027-08-31
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 5
Facts about the model
In 1975, the first sketches were made for what would become Volvo’s 700 series. The designs, created under the direction of chief designer Jan Wilsgaard, show clear similarities to the finished car, and interestingly, they were mainly of estate cars – though with a slightly shorter rear end, referred to as a “cut back.”
It would take until 1982 before the six-cylinder sedan, the 760 GLE, was introduced, and another two years before the four-cylinder sedan, the 740 GLE, arrived. In February 1985, the estate version of the 760 was launched in the United States, and in the autumn of 1985 both the 760 and 740 became available as estates in Sweden. For the 1986 model year, the Volvo 740 estate was offered as GL, GLE, and Turbo.
The Volvo 740 was produced until 1992, with a total of 1,009,395 units built. However, the model lived on in updated form as the Volvo 940 until February 1998.
It would take until 1982 before the six-cylinder sedan, the 760 GLE, was introduced, and another two years before the four-cylinder sedan, the 740 GLE, arrived. In February 1985, the estate version of the 760 was launched in the United States, and in the autumn of 1985 both the 760 and 740 became available as estates in Sweden. For the 1986 model year, the Volvo 740 estate was offered as GL, GLE, and Turbo.
The Volvo 740 was produced until 1992, with a total of 1,009,395 units built. However, the model lived on in updated form as the Volvo 940 until February 1998.
Location and viewing Information
Location: Åtvidaberg
For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:
Fredrik Nyblad
+46 703187844
fredrik.nyblad@bilwebauctions.se
For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:
Fredrik Nyblad
+46 703187844
fredrik.nyblad@bilwebauctions.se
Pick up
Collection must take place before: 2025-10-23.
NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.
NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.
Auction information
General information about the condition of the vehicles .
- At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
- During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
- Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
- When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
- If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
- If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
- Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
- For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.