VOLVO 780 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The 1986 Volvo 780 Coupe was styled by Bertone and increased the image of the Swedish carmaker.

After the pleasant cooperation in the late '70s, when Bertone made a new styling for the Volvo 262 C, the Swedish company asked for more. The Italian manufacturer took a regular 760 and worked its magic, and the result was a boxy-looking coupe with a wedge shape and luxurious interior.

Bertone built the 780's bodyworks in Italy and then shipped them to Sweden for final assembly. It might have been a hustle, but it was better than changing the stamping department. Unlike the 262 C, which had the roof chopped, the 780 kept the same roof and A-pillars to leave the same headroom inside. At the rear, the C-pillar had a smoother rake, which gave a faster silhouette when compared to the upright sedans.

The interior was fitted with leather upholstery and wood trims on the dashboard. The front power seats were wide and built for a comfortable ride. Volvo tried to pitch the 780 against the Mercedes-Benz SEC and the BMW 6-Series, but not in terms of performance. Its square-looking dashboard and other luxury items recommended it as a personal luxury coupe.

Unfortunately, the engine was too weak for the car's weight, and the rear axle couldn't provide the comfort of a luxury coupe. Volvo fixed things in 1988 when it introduced a new turbocharged engine and replaced the rear axle with an independent suspension system.