1976 Volvo 264 Commercial "Two Cars" Narrated by Edward Binns

[@TrailBlazerSS502]

For Volvo, safety isn’t just an issue, it’s in its blood.

[@TVHouseHistorian]

I think it’s incredible how the definition of what a “luxury car” is supposed to be changed so vastly in the decade that proceeded this commercial. America’s definition of “luxury car” was still the Luxo-barge by 1976, and the type of person who purchased a Volvo was much different than someone who purchased a Cadillac or Chrysler of the day. Volvos were driven by your uppity university professor types, while Cadillac was driven by your business man types. Today, both are driven primarily by your “over-leveraged” types.

[@OsbornTramain]

Yep, I never ever was envious of a Volvo driver. I never saw a Volvo and thought, "Man, that person is rich!" Or "Man, I'd love to be that rich some day that I can drive a Volvo".

[@100percentSNAFU]

Volvos are definitely a niche car. Where I come from, they were hugely popular because about 3 quarters of the population was Swedish American. We had 2 in our family, and yes of course we are of Swedish heritage. Nice Volvos were clout at the Vikings club (picture a Moose or Elks club but for Scandinavians only). The first was a plain Jane 240 wagon in white that I used to call "the fridge". But the second one was actually very nice, it was a 960 fully loaded and was, in my opinion, every bit as nice as a mid range BMW or Mercedes. It actually surprised me how nice it was when my dad got it. Of course he "knew a guy" through his car club that worked on Volvos and only Volvos, and fixed up old ones. The 960 was only a few years old but had been poorly cared for and the guy fixed it up real well and my dad got a great deal on it, a deal he talked about until his last days. That, and the clearance 1988-1/2 Ford Escort he got from this crooked dealership dirt cheap when the guy was closing up shop and leaving town to escape his creditors, and slashed all the prices on his inventory. Such a typical dad, loved to tell stories about his great car buying deals...now I am that dad 😂

[@100percentSNAFU]

Everything about a Volvo is odd, yet ridiculously functional and refined. Down to the vanity mirror being a pop up unit in the glovebox (yes, you read that correctly), to the rear fog lights, to the headlight wipers, everything was about saftey. I mean, heck, you don't want to impede the driver's line of sight when you are putting on your lipstick, do you 😂. Not the most fun cars to drive, but built like tanks, and yes, the older ones definitely handled like tanks as well.

[@OsbornTramain]

The mirror in the glove Box was a Studebaker feature way back in 1963, It was called the Studebaker Vanity Mirror and when you opened the glove box, you could slide the little draw open and a mirror would pop up. Women could do their makeup in the mirror. The full line of cars had it, the Avanti and the Larks and I believe the Hawk. Right up till the end in 1966. My Avanti is equipped that way. Studebaker was so proud of it, the glove box in the Larks actually had the script "vanity" on it. People sometimes confuse that for the name of the car, a Studebaker Lark Vanity.

[@100percentSNAFU]

​@@OsbornTramainVery interesting, I never knew that other car brands had this feature. Was Studebaker actually the originator of this feature?

[@denisvermeirre1024]

I`m amazed by how much the second car bounces up and down as it comes to a halt in the last scene.

[@OsbornTramain]

It's funny you say that, I thought the exact same thing as I was editing this. It really seemed very soft for a European suspension.....would have expected it be more taut.

[@Jonathan-dq8hb]

Marked the introduction of the PRV6. I wonder how reliable it was ? Volvo later developed an even fire version. We last saw it here in the Eagle Premier and Dodge Monaco.

[@OsbornTramain]

Don't forget the DeLorean, it had it too.....I own an Eagle Premier, since new....150,000 trouble free miles....

[@Jonathan-dq8hb]

@OsbornTramain Yes, there were several versions of the engine, the DeLorean used the early odd fire type. Citroën developed a 24V version as well. I believe only the heads were new ...that opens up all sorts of possibilities, doesn't it ?

[@Jonathan-dq8hb]

@OsbornTramain How about an in depth look at your car ? They are rarely seen, and largely forgotten nowadays. There are so many interesting features there , it could fill many , many , videos.