Volvo 140 Series

How it changed

The 140 Series introduced disc brakes on all four wheels, a significant improvement over the Amazon's mechanical components.^[1] The 1971 model year also introduced the B20E engine with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, producing 124 PS DIN.^[2] Safety changes for 1974 included a fuel tank relocated near the axle for rear-end collision protection and larger protruding bumpers.^[3] The quarter-light windows in the front doors were removed due to improved ventilation.^[3]

The fundamental boxy silhouette of the 140 series continued into the 1990s with the 200 series.^[1] For the 1971 model year, updates included a new black grille featuring the Volvo diagonal line and different wheel designs.^[2] The Grand Luxe trim level came equipped as standard with a four-speed manual transmission that included overdrive.^[2]

What the maker and period sources say

A Volvo Car Corporation source states that the 144 was the first entirely new model from the Torslanda factory, launched in late summer 1966.^[4] The Torslanda plant had an annual capacity of 48,000 cars in its first year.^[4] An ORF.at article states that approximately 1,000 Volvo 144s were ordered by North Korea in the year diplomatic relations were established (1973) but were never paid for.^[5][6] A 1974 specification source indicates that vehicles sold in the US market were equipped with the emissions-reduced B20F engine, which produced 109 hp at 6000 rpm.^[3]