At first glance, this Volvo 240 wagon looks like a preserved relic from a more sensible era. But anyone paying attention will notice something is off, especially when the car lights up the tires at speed. That’s because under the hood, this boxy Swede hides a 6.7-liter LS-based 408 cubic-inch truck engine with forged internals and a single Precision Pro Mod turbo. This LS Volvo Wagon cranks out around 1,500 horsepower, enough to push this wagon deep into the mid-8-second range at more than 170 miles per hour in the quarter mile.

Turbocharged Chaos In A Classic Wagon Shell

The exterior still carries most of its original body lines, but it’s far from stock. The factory left headlight has been deleted in favor of an air inlet that feeds the turbocharger. Twin pipes exit through the front grille area, and the rear has been tubbed to fit the enormous drag slicks that barely peek out from the body. This LS Volvo Wagon rides on a 4-link rear suspension system with a Ford 9-inch rearend and QA1 Mod Series coilovers. This setup helps it transfer that four-digit horsepower to the pavement in dramatic fashion.

Inside, the car has been fully caged to NHRA specs. It might retain some elements of the original cabin, but make no mistake, this is a purpose-built race car. Still, the level of restraint shown in the exterior presentation is impressive. With a hood in place and tinted windows, it can pass for just another well-maintained Volvo to anyone not paying close attention. That illusion disappears the moment it hits boost.

This Volvo 240 wagon may still wear its original badging, but that’s about all it shares with stock. With a 1,500hp turbo LS under the hood and slicks out back, it runs deep into the 8s.

Despite the weight and proportions of the original wagon, this build proves that anything can be fast with the right combination of power and setup. From a roll, it will haze the tires without trying. When it finally hooks, it charges forward with a ferocity that rivals modern supercars and electric performance sedans alike.

Is it a sleeper? Not really. Even with the stock-like appearance, the missing headlight and visible piping give away its intentions. But whether you expect it to be fast or not, nothing prepares you for how violently it accelerates once it’s fully in the powerband.