As Volvo moves nearer to being a mobility company as much as a car company – remember the LA show last year, where it didn’t exhibit a single vehicle – its heady days as a maker of fabled performance cars seem even further in the past.
Arguably there are no cars more conic in the back catalogue than the assortment of hot 850s – the R, T5 and T5 R. Of course there was the BTCC campaign that brought some attention, but the fact that these cars displayed Volvo could do fast, desirable and interesting after so many years of worthy estates really changed attitudes. That and the cult created around police Volvos, too…
For someone not actively looking for a T5 R, PHer ‘cosworth330’ was very lucky to come across such an example: a manual, Gul Yellow (unique to the T5 R) saloon at a decent price, they’re becoming ever more difficult to find. It wasn’t perfect, though: new tyres were fitted, a few interior rattles tended to and the paintwork brought back to its best. With a wheel hub issues resolved as well, the T5 R is close to fighting fit.
Which means the old Volvo is getting plenty of use, the F80 M3 that also resides in this PHer’s garage not being driven since the 850’s arrival – we’re pleased to hear it! The next job on the list is some suspension work, so it sounds like a thread well worth bookmarking. And, well, any excuse to admire an old Volvo should be taken, right? Read the thread here.
