1996 Volvo 850 / 855 R Estate

Today we are spoiled with almost family cars. Most of the major manufacturers offer a performance variant of their large cars, but none of them would have existed if Volvo hadn't taken the plunge.

In the early 90s it was time for Volvo to retire the 740 model series in favor of a new modern model. 850 became the model name and paved the way for a new modern Volvo. Early in the model's history it saw great success not only with families with children in the IKEA lot parking but perhaps a little unexpectedly in motorsport. Perhaps even more unexpectedly as both a sedan and as a stationary wagon in STCC and BTCC primary. Perhaps the biggest name we had at the time in Swedish motorsport Rickard Rydell drove the car with great success and became the subject of several pictures with the blue and white racing Volvo. Often with more than one wheel in the air over a curb.

This gave birth to the idea of building a fast variant and selling it to the public. And in 1995 the car came into question and although there had been the occasional almost station wagon before, there had never been anything quite like the Volvo 850 R. The first series of cars was a limited series under the name T-5 R but was often known more by the nickname you got as a result of the yellow color that came to be synonymous with the model. 'T-gul'. The following year they followed up with a new edition of the model now only under the name 850 R a car that perhaps a little unintentionally got the name 'T-röd' again considering the color it became synonymous with but so the sibling that came before.

This example is dated 1997 and is wearing just look a red suit that is simply called 'Bright Red' in Volvo language. The bright red square rests on a set of model-typical 17" rims in anthracite. For many of us, it is a familiar shape to approach. Seemingly drawn with a ruler but still a little rounded in comparison to previous models. It is an exterior that is quite free from precipitation fluff but still carries some details that are specific to the 'R' variant. The interior is in black and is divided into leather and alcantara and is permeated by the decorative strip in walnut root. Under the hood, however, is where the difference is most clearly seen. A transversal five-cylinder stove of 2.3 liters that pumps out a full 240hp characterized by the number combination '58' in the chassis number as it should be on a real 850 R.

A wonderfully well-preserved car in the right color combination. Swedish-sold and if you lift the hood you will even find the signature from Rickard Rydell. A car that largely retains its originality but has been refined with an adjustable chassis and so on updated sound system that retains the original radio. Just 133 over000 km from new and as said in wonderfully fine condition.