Few cars have been able to transcend themselves like the Volvo 240. The Volvo 240's legend continues to grow despite being out of production for 30 years. What once was a reliable, boxy luxury car has now become something more. The 240 has become a modern classic and has stood the test of time. Its simple design coupled with its impeccable reputation has kept the car relevant into the 21st century.

While a sought after car for Volvo collectors, the 240 is often seen as a blank slate for young car enthusiasts. Some prefer to keep it stock and daily drive them, and others with a desire for speed and power see more. A rear wheel drive car, solid construction, and massive space in the engine bay is a perfect recipe for car customization.

This Volvo 240 is currently stock, although its owner, Stu, has lowered it and replaced a few internal parts. This Volvo won't look like this for long, as Stu has big plans for this car. The car will become a hot rodded street car, and will receive extensive modifications in the months to come. However, this car has a story, and to understand why its owner plans to modify it, knowing the story of this car will help provide some context. 

Currently, the car is still in a mostly stock form, excluding the suspension. However, it won't be for much longer. Stu has big plans for the car's future. 

"The way I look at it, it’s a free car, so I can spend a bit extra," said Stu.

One of the big upgrades he plans on doing in the near future is a Volvo 16 valve head conversion. The 16 valve came off of a Volvo 740 he had purchased. He stripped the 740 of its parts, and kept the engine and transmission. The transmission was conveniently the M47 five speed manual, meaning that the 240 will also get a manual conversion as well. 

After swapping out the engine head and transmission, the 240 will receive a turbo. Not an old school style turbo like on the earlier 240s, but in Stu's words, a massive turbo. He isn't sure what kind of turbo he'll install, but his end goal is to have the car produce 500 horsepower or more. 

Stu has loved his ownership with his 240. It's been a great car for him, and hasn't let him down. As a young mechanic with years of experience, the 240 is nothing but a blank canvas awaiting a journey of restoration and renewal. 

Stu Foster is the proud owner of this Volvo 240. Originally from East London, he moved to Rhode Island about seven years ago. He's a mechanic by trade, and has specialized in classic cars for the last 15 years. Stu has worked on almost everything, from Ferraris and Lamborghinis to classic British sports. To complement his work with old cars, he's always had a passion classic cars. 

Volvos, in particular, have always had a special place in his heart, and like most Volvo fanatics, can't pin point the exact reason. According to Stu, they’re just boxy and he finds that intriguing. He's had a decent tenure of ownership with Volvo cars, owning a 1997 850, a 2004 V40, which he says was horrendous, an S60, which got rear ended, currently an S70. This is his first 240, and he quite likes it. There’s something about rear wheel drive cars that he really enjoys.