Makes › Volvo › 262C (Bertone) · Coachbuilt · 1977–1981 Limited Production
Volvo
262C (Bertone)
Low-roof two-door coupé designed by Volvo and built by Bertone in Turin
Photo: Bassaar · CC BY 3.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 6,622 Built
- Years
- 1977–1981
- Engine
- PRV V6: 2,664 cc B27 and 2,849 cc B28/B280 · 2,700 cc / 2.7 LFactory: 2.7 L
- Power
- 93.2 kW / 127 PSFactory: 125 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Bertone
- Designer
- Jan Wilsgaard (Volvo), built by Bertone
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 262C was Volvo's first venture into the upscale luxury segment, a low-volume four-seat coupe with a chopped roofline. It was designed in-house in Sweden and built by Bertone in Turin.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model production262C produced | 6,6221,2 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Introduced at the Geneva show in 1977, the 262C was widely mistaken for a 50th-anniversary model, which Volvo said it was not. It used the wheelbase of the 264 saloon, giving room for four comfortable seats, with a lower, differently shaped roof. The Iconic catalogue credits Volvo designer Jan Wilsgaard with the design. The cars were aimed mainly at the US 'Executive' market, with only about 200 reaching the UK. Production ran 1977-1981.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 262C (Bertone).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | PRV 90-degree V6 (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo)3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | PRV V6: 2,664 cc B27 and 2,849 cc B28/B2801 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 63 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 2,700 cc / 2.7 LFactory: 2.7 L3 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | fuel injection4 Independently researched |
| Power | 93.2 kW / 127 PSFactory: 125 hp · converted3 Independently researchedLate-1970s figure; S2 says the facelifted 200 series gained 14 bhp (B27E to B28E). |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electric overdrive, or 3-speed automatic1 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 43 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | 200-series saloon platform with live rear axle5 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Hydraulic, discs on all four wheels1 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 264 cmFactory: 264 cm1 Independently researched |
| Length | 490 cmFactory: 490 cm1 Independently researched |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Look for the sharply raked windscreen, lower roofline and very wide C-pillar, with Crown insignia on the C-pillars. The first cars were silver with a black vinyl roof. The interior was leather, with pleated seats and elm veneer door trim on at least some cars.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Volvo 262C Level B Volvo Owners' Club (UK)
- Prod. volume: 6,622
- 2664 cc B27 (PRV) V6 2849 cc B28/B280 (PRV) V6
- 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive or 3-speed automatic
- Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels
- wheelbase 264 cm/104"
- Overall length 490 cm/198"
- 2
-
3
Vintage R/T review: 1978 Volvo 262C Level C Curbside Classic
- 2.7L PRV 90° V6
- PRV 90° V6
- 125 hp 2.7L PRV 90° V6
- The 125 hp 2.7L PRV 90° V6
- Volvo's venerable 4 speed manual and OD, which only some 10% of 262Cs would have
-
4
Cut-price cruise liners: Volvo 262 C and 780 Bertone Level C Martin Puthz · Classic & Sports Car · 2020-09-28
- with fuel injection
-
5
Cut-price cruise liners: Volvo 262 C and 780 Bertone Level C Classic & Sports Car (Martin Puthz)
- home-baked chassis with live rear axle
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