Here we are, comfortably more than two decades after a fast five-cylinder Volvo 850 was introduced, still getting all excited when one comes up for sale. The T5 was such a significant car for Volvo that it's almost become stumbling block; inevitably any subsequent performance Volvos have been compared to the 850, and none have matched it for sheer impact and image turnaround. Well perhaps the
S60 Polestar
could have, but then they only made six of those.
Insert your 'hewn from...' analogies here
Now while the 850 T5 legend is built on the estate two-wheeling its way around British race tracks, it's easy to forget that there was a four-door saloon and that it was rather more successful in the BTCC. In 1995 an 850 saloon won six races, followed by another five victories in 1996. Both road cars gained a cult following thanks to that ever-popular combination of big power and an unassuming body. Stints as police vehicles will have helped its cause too.
But 20 years later, the T5 is a very rare car indeed. When was the last time you saw one on the road? And when was the last time you saw a manual version? With so few left on around, and with this one appearing as nice as it does, it most certainly deserves some PH attention.
Doesn't it look cool in red? It must be a pretty rare colour for the 850. Moreover, while 17-inch gunmetal wheels may have been quite racy for a Volvo back then, today it looks very tame. The 850 doesn't even look that big any more, an indicator of just how large 21st century cars are.
Quite a few people may see this with 280hp!
Purists will be disappointed that this isn't a standard T5, but a little more power (with an ECU and fuelling upgrade), some extra noise (from a Ripspeed exhaust) and slightly sharper handling (from new springs) sound like worthwhile upgrades. It looks largely standard from the outside at least, even down to the solitary exhaust pipe.
But where this 850 really appeals is in the level of care that's been lavished on it since 1995. Sure, the advert may be rather gushing about the car's condition, but to see a recent cambelt change, every single MOT certificate and 21 services in the manual is a pleasant surprise on a car that's now only worth four thousand pounds. It even still has the original toolkit!
Whether this is a 'guaranteed future classic' or not remains to be seen, particularly given so many cars are sold as such now. Even if it isn't, you're not exactly going to lose a lot of money. So while you'll probably go through front tyres quite quickly and find some contemporaries better to drive, for speed and cool and PH kudos an 850 T5 remains pretty hard to beat.
VOLVO 850 T-5
Price: £3,999
Why you should: Very cool to those in the know
Why you shouldn't: A 21 year-old boxy Volvo to those who aren't
See the original advert here.
