Volvo 240 Turbo Group A 'Johnny Cecotto' Replica, 1982
Volvo 240 Series
Volvo 240 Series•
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Chassis No.: 03VOL2103001
€74,750 EUR | Sold
- Property from the collection of a Gentleman Driver
- One of the 505 'homologation specials'
- Recent professional rebuild to correct Group A specification
- Finished in the 'Kamachi' livery in which Johnny Cecotto won the Macau Guia race in 1986
- 2.1-litre engine producing 335 horsepower
- Build cost of approximately €150,000
- Ready to race
- 1 of 505 'homologation specials'
- Recent professional build to correct FIA Group A specification
- Finished in 'Kamachi' livery in which Johnny Cecotto won the Macau Guia race in 1986
- 2.1-litre engine producing 335hp
- Build costs circa €150,000
- Ready to race
Volvo 240 Turbo Group A 'Johnny Cecotto' – Replica – 1982
Chassis no. 03VOL2103001
GRC Sport 004
This faithful replica of the Group A Volvo 'Flying Bricks' was built as part of the collaboration between GRC Sport and former Swedish professional driver Per Gunnar Andersson.
Despite its boxy appearance and anything-but-sporty image, the Volvo 240 competed successfully in touring car racing in the 1980s. In 1983, Volvo produced 505 'homologation specials' equipped with a larger turbocharger and other performance-enhancing components. Almost all were exported to the USA, where they were stripped of their Group A components and sold as road cars; Group A regulations required a minimum number of cars to be produced, but not necessarily sold. In Group A specification, the 240 Turbo weighed 1,065 kg and its turbocharged 2.1-litre engine produced around 350 horsepower.
Despite its unpromising appearance, the 240 Turbo proved to be a successful competitor, winning the Zolder round of the European Touring Car Championship in 1984. This large, brick-like 240 Turbo was not as agile as some of its rivals, but it was fast in a straight line and could reach 260 km/h on fast circuits such as Monza, Hockenheim and Bathurst. It was also very reliable.
Volvo withdrew from Group A at the end of the year. Only two of the original 505 cars remain, one of which is in the Volvo Museum.
The car offered, GRC Sport 004, the fourth built by renowned Belgian specialist GRC Sport, was purchased in the USA by its current owner, who had it fully restored and professionally prepared to exact Group A specifications, regardless of cost. It is effectively 'new' and was built in 2021 to the FIA-homologated specification for this model. Clearly, great effort went into getting every last detail right, and the cost of this rebuild, completed in June 2021, is estimated at around €150,000.
There is no complicated dashboard in the cockpit, just a rev counter and a turbo boost gauge. The gear lever is ideally positioned for easy shifting, as are the pedals. We are told that its relatively long wheelbase makes the car easy to control and that its turbo delivers dazzling acceleration. Spectators trackside will love the flames shooting from its side-exit exhaust!
The fully prepared engine produces 335 horsepower and can easily be tuned to 350 horsepower, giving the car very high speeds; but its real strength compared with its rivals is its braking performance. The current owner chose BBS wheels and the 'Kamachi Yasaki-City' livery for this 004, the colours in which Johnny Cecotto won the Macau Guia race in 1986. An identical car, also built by renowned Belgian specialist GRC Sport, the 'Nordica Replica', recently began its racing career successfully when Marc Duez took 2nd place at Spa-Francorchamps in the 2021 Belcar championship.
This exciting Volvo 240 Turbo, ready to race and awaiting its FIA passport, will be perfect for historic racing enthusiasts who want to own an unrivalled sporting icon and revel in its performance.
Please note that this lot will be subject to additional VAT on the hammer price.
1982 Volvo 240 Turbo Group A 'Johnny Cecotto' Replica
Chassis no. 03VOL2103001
GRC Sport 004
Following co-operation between former Swedish professional driver Per Gunnar Andersson and GRC Sport, this faithful copy of Volvo's 'Flying Brick' Group A race car has been created.
Despite its boxy appearance and non-sporting image, the Volvo 240 competed successfully in touring car racing in the 1980s. In 1983 Volvo produced 505 'homologation specials' equipped with a larger turbocharger and other performance modifications. Almost all of these cars were exported to the USA, where they would be stripped of their Group A modifications and sold as standard road models (Group A rules stipulated the minimum number produced, not sold). In Group A specification, the 240 Turbo weighed 1,065 kg and its turbocharged 2.1-litre engine produced approximately 350 bhp.
Despite its unpromising appearance, the 240 Turbo proved to be a successful competitor, winning the Zolder round of the European Touring Car Championship in 1984. A large car lacking the agility of some of its rivals, the brick-like 240 Turbo was fast in a straight line and capable of reaching around 260 km/h on faster circuits such as Monza, Hockenheim and Bathurst. It was also very reliable.
Volvo quit Group A racing at the end of the year. Only two of the original 505 cars survive, one of which is in the Volvo Museum.
The car offered here, GRC Sport 004—the fourth car built—was purchased in the USA as a restoration project by the current owner, who had it fully and professionally restored and prepared to exact Group A specifications, with no expense spared. The car is effectively 'new' and was built in 2021 to the FIA homologation specification for this model; it is clear that great effort went into getting the details right. The build cost is estimated at around €150,000, and preparation was completed in June 2021 by renowned Belgian specialists GRC Sport.
Inside, there is no complicated dashboard, just the essential rev counter and turbo boost gauge. The gear lever is ideally positioned for easy shifting, as are the pedals. We are told that its relatively long wheelbase makes this an easy car to control, while the turbo gives it sparkling acceleration. Spectators around the racetrack will love the flames coming out of the side-exit exhaust! The fully prepared engine produces 335 bhp (and could easily be tuned to 350 bhp), making the car very fast, but reportedly its real strength compared with the opposition is its braking performance.
The current owner chose the 'Kamachi Yasaki-City' livery and BBS wheels for car 004; Johnny Cecotto won the 1986 Macau Guia race in this livery. An identical car from the same racing stable, the 'Nordica Replica', recently began its successful competition career, with Marc Duez taking 2nd place at Spa-Francorchamps in a round of the 2021 Belcar championship. Race-ready and awaiting its FIA passport, this exciting Volvo 240 Turbo is a perfect fit for historic racing enthusiasts wanting to own and enjoy the performance of a unique racing icon.
Please note this lot will be subject to additional VAT on the hammer price.
Cost
308,533 AED
