Commissioned by the then president of AB Volvo, P.G.

Gyllenhammer, following a trip to America in 1974, the 262C was conceived as a ‘halo model’ to enhance the prestige of the entire Volvo range.

Based on the 264 Saloon, the newcomer sported two fewer doors and a radically lowered roofline.

The work of Volvo’s chief designer Jan Wilksgaard, the striking looking Coupe was intended as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz 280CE and Cadillac Eldorado.

Trimmed accordingly, its cossetting interior featured swathes of pleated leather, electric windows, air-conditioning and wood veneer.

Powered by a variant of the PRV V6 engine that also saw service in the Renault Alpine GTA and DeLorean DMC-12, the Volvo 262C could be specified with a four-speed manual plus overdrive transmission or automatic transmission; the latter more in keeping with its touring credentials.

Production was outsourced to Bertone who engineered the revised roof structure, more steeply raked windscreen and flusher fitting side...