The last Volvo C70 rolled off the assembly line in 2013 in Sweden and the brand hasn’t offered a two-door coupe since then.
Some would be quick to argue that’s not true, given that the Polestar 1 is a coupe. It is, but it does not feature Volvo badging as it’s built under a new brand.
Come to think of it, it’s quite a shame that Volvo doesn’t make a coupe anymore, given the C70’s illustrious predecessors which included the P1800, the 262C, and the 780 Coupe. The latter model has to be the most understated of Volvo’s coupes and a real hidden gem precisely for that reason: it’s an elegant rear-wheel-drive Volvo coupe styled by Bertone.
The Italian design powerhouse didn’t just give the 780 its timeless appearance but also handled production of the two-door model. Yes, the Volvo 780 Coupe was assembled at Bertone’s Turin plant in Italy, largely by hand — just like its predecessor, the 262C.
Sadly, the 780 didn’t enjoy the sales success it would have deserved, with only a little over 8,500 units being built from 1986 to 1991. The upside? The low production run, superb Bertone styling, and bulletproof 700 Series chassis turned it into a classic in recent years. Italian elegance and Swedish reliability make this car a sought-after “youngtimer” in Europe.
How else would you explain that a pristine example like this 1988 Volvo 780 Coupe is listed for sale for €47,500 (approximately $53,500)? Described by the seller as “probably one of the best of its kind,” this example only covered 47,633 kilometers (29,597 miles) from new. It was delivered in The Netherlands straight from the factory and spent most of its life in the company of the original owner.
They only recently parted ways with the 780 Coupe which has always been kept inside a heated and ventilated garage. Everything you see on the car is in original factory spec, including the paint. All the maintenance work has been done at a Volvo dealership and the car comes complete with the original maintenance booklet and dealer invoices.
Here’s hoping the next owner will work the 170 PS (168 hp) 2.8-liter V6 engine more than the first buyer because this rear-wheel-drive Volvo 780 Coupe deserves to spend more time on the open road.