Unmolested Volvo 850 GLT
Discussion
More often than not the evidence is there right in front of our eyes and all it takes it a little patience to search thoroughly for what we are looking for.
My Volvo 850 was first registered through the British Forces Germany registration system.
BFG personnel had distinctive plates which were white script on a black background. This was changed in the 1980s after the IRA killed numerous servicemen and their families in these “easy target” cars. These killings occurred in Germany, Holland and in Belgium when the cars were being driven to Calais or Zeebrugge for travel home to UK.
The BAOR/BFG authorities then decided to issue UK-style plates to BFG personnel to make them blend in with tourists cars. They were also issued with “fake” UK tax discs, with the issuing clerks in Germany having hundreds of Post Office stamps to choose at random! Incidentally, despite being warned not to, several soldiers tried to cash-in the fake tax discs when they returned to UK at Post Offices and several Courts Martials took place as a result.
When BFG cars enter the UK permanently they must be re-registered into the UK system where they are given a UK number. The BFG number is disposed and deleted from the system therefore lost forever so that finding the original number is an almost impossible task as there is no database held with the DVLA for ex BFG numbers.
I was speaking to David (the original 850 owner’s son) about this and he couldn’t recall what the original number was so my search began in earnest to try and find it.
As I don’t speak or read any German I relied on Google Translate to assist me in finding the only piece of evidence I have with the original registration number. An invoice for the first service the car received when it was 9 months old in Germany has Amtl. Kennz. (Official Code) P132 BVA which was the number the 850 was registered with in Germany.
David is visiting his mum over the Christmas period and he will have a look thorough photos to try and find a picture of the 850 whilst it was in Germany. Watch this space...
My Volvo 850 was first registered through the British Forces Germany registration system.
BFG personnel had distinctive plates which were white script on a black background. This was changed in the 1980s after the IRA killed numerous servicemen and their families in these “easy target” cars. These killings occurred in Germany, Holland and in Belgium when the cars were being driven to Calais or Zeebrugge for travel home to UK.
The BAOR/BFG authorities then decided to issue UK-style plates to BFG personnel to make them blend in with tourists cars. They were also issued with “fake” UK tax discs, with the issuing clerks in Germany having hundreds of Post Office stamps to choose at random! Incidentally, despite being warned not to, several soldiers tried to cash-in the fake tax discs when they returned to UK at Post Offices and several Courts Martials took place as a result.
When BFG cars enter the UK permanently they must be re-registered into the UK system where they are given a UK number. The BFG number is disposed and deleted from the system therefore lost forever so that finding the original number is an almost impossible task as there is no database held with the DVLA for ex BFG numbers.
I was speaking to David (the original 850 owner’s son) about this and he couldn’t recall what the original number was so my search began in earnest to try and find it.
As I don’t speak or read any German I relied on Google Translate to assist me in finding the only piece of evidence I have with the original registration number. An invoice for the first service the car received when it was 9 months old in Germany has Amtl. Kennz. (Official Code) P132 BVA which was the number the 850 was registered with in Germany.
David is visiting his mum over the Christmas period and he will have a look thorough photos to try and find a picture of the 850 whilst it was in Germany. Watch this space...
Big number plates look good on the V70/850 rump. I note the little slogan on the bottom.
When I eventually find "my" keeper 850 I'll be doing the same. I haven't yet decided on the actual wording of the slogan, but it will be something along the lines of where Peter Horbury can shove his Mr Blobby designs that ruined Volvo for the next 2 decades...
When I eventually find "my" keeper 850 I'll be doing the same. I haven't yet decided on the actual wording of the slogan, but it will be something along the lines of where Peter Horbury can shove his Mr Blobby designs that ruined Volvo for the next 2 decades...
Yes when the car was registered in the UK (1999), it was given P759 PKL
The DVLA assigned numbers specifically for BFG use which were put onto cars owned by military personnel serving in Germany, Belgium and Holland. These numbers were never used anywhere else.
BFG numbers were never on the DVLA database therefore don’t exist and any BFG vehicle coming into the UK on a permanent basis had to be re-registered within 30 days so the next available number from the DVLA’s list was assigned.
There is no record of BFG numbers held in the UK, BAOR held the records but they are not available to the public
The DVLA assigned numbers specifically for BFG use which were put onto cars owned by military personnel serving in Germany, Belgium and Holland. These numbers were never used anywhere else.
BFG numbers were never on the DVLA database therefore don’t exist and any BFG vehicle coming into the UK on a permanent basis had to be re-registered within 30 days so the next available number from the DVLA’s list was assigned.
There is no record of BFG numbers held in the UK, BAOR held the records but they are not available to the public
Winter is almost over. After cleaning up my back yard I pushed the 850 out of the garage to get a bit of air round it. First time it's been moved since October, I didn't start the engine, that won't happen until it goes for an MOT in March. Looking good for being 26+ years old and all original paint
Being an April Fool I taxed the 850 on 1st April, on 4th I took it and had the air-con serviced as it had been 3 years since last done
Yesterday I watched my XC90 drive off never to be seen again with its new owner
|https://thumbsnap.com/Q6XV9M85[/url]
Stripped the 850 remote and cleaned the contacts with switch cleaner
Took the 850 for a drive to warm up the oil
Once home I removed the sump plug and left it to drain overnight
Last oil change was 5th April 2020 at 59,061 miles
Now 3 years on I'm at at 61,962 miles, a total of 2901 miles, that's plenty...
Not forgetting the new sump plug washer
[url]
Yesterday I watched my XC90 drive off never to be seen again with its new owner
|https://thumbsnap.com/Q6XV9M85[/url]Stripped the 850 remote and cleaned the contacts with switch cleaner
Took the 850 for a drive to warm up the oil
Once home I removed the sump plug and left it to drain overnight
Last oil change was 5th April 2020 at 59,061 miles
Now 3 years on I'm at at 61,962 miles, a total of 2901 miles, that's plenty...
Not forgetting the new sump plug washer
[url]Old filter removed next morning and left to drain again for another hour,
New filter primed and fitted, sump plug refitted with new washer, 5.3 litres of Castrol 10W-40 A3/B4 poured into the engine, checked for leaks and sump cover refitted,
Service light reset and we're ready for another summer, bring on the sunshine
Checked the oil level today and it doesn't get much closer than that...
New filter primed and fitted, sump plug refitted with new washer, 5.3 litres of Castrol 10W-40 A3/B4 poured into the engine, checked for leaks and sump cover refitted,
Service light reset and we're ready for another summer, bring on the sunshine
Checked the oil level today and it doesn't get much closer than that...
Looking lovely as always.
I am still enjoying my P reg V70 T5, and am rather envious of your service light reset tool as my car is in that narrow window of production before they changed the reset procedure to the button on the dash.
At its most recent service last month the otherwise excellent independent garage I use couldn’t reset it with any of their tools. At least it only stays on for two minutes I suppose!
I am still enjoying my P reg V70 T5, and am rather envious of your service light reset tool as my car is in that narrow window of production before they changed the reset procedure to the button on the dash.
At its most recent service last month the otherwise excellent independent garage I use couldn’t reset it with any of their tools. At least it only stays on for two minutes I suppose!
sutts said:
Looking lovely as always.
I am still enjoying my P reg V70 T5, and am rather envious of your service light reset tool as my car is in that narrow window of production before they changed the reset procedure to the button on the dash.
At its most recent service last month the otherwise excellent independent garage I use couldn’t reset it with any of their tools. At least it only stays on for two minutes I suppose!
You got a thread for the V70? I've started tinkering with a family friends S70 on a P reg.I am still enjoying my P reg V70 T5, and am rather envious of your service light reset tool as my car is in that narrow window of production before they changed the reset procedure to the button on the dash.
At its most recent service last month the otherwise excellent independent garage I use couldn’t reset it with any of their tools. At least it only stays on for two minutes I suppose!
I do, having found it it’s probably overdue for an update.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
sutts said:
Looking lovely as always.
... and am rather envious of your service light reset tool as my car is in that narrow window of production before they changed the reset procedure to the button on the dash.
96-98 cars all require the reset tool sadly and they are becoming hard to find now. My mate is selling a reset tool, if you're interested let me know and I'll sort it out for you... and am rather envious of your service light reset tool as my car is in that narrow window of production before they changed the reset procedure to the button on the dash.
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