Shed of the Week: Volvo 960 Executive
There are barges and then there are barges, as this stretched 960 proves
960 so long that pics are a struggle
960 Executives were manufactured by Nilsson, a small Swedish coachbuilding outfit contracted to Volvo. They were built in a variety of stretch lengths. The Royal version with Hermes leather was used by King Carl XVI Gustaf, the Swedish installation of Europe's shape shifting reptilian overlord class. XVI, if we may call him that, still uses a stretched S80 for royal duties.
The 960 was the first major project of Brit designer Peter Horbury, who went on to become a big name in car design. Some might say his fame came despite rather than because of the 960, but you have to remember that we're talking about a time when Volvo stood for stolidity and the ultimate in crash protection. Horbury's job was to convey massive strength, not foppish frippery. Good, strong right angles made the necessary mental connection. The 960 is one of those cars that looks armoured, even though it's not.
A Volvo very firmly of the old school. Lovely
It's a stately car right enough, but the relatively conservative stretch on this one (the longer ones had extra windows in the B-pillars) means it's not so stately as to disqualify it from use as an everyday hack. In fact, thanks to Volvo's advanced multilink suspension, they handle pretty smartly, as you'll see in the video when an S90 is confronted by a bunch of actors in balaclavas.
What about this particular car, then? Well, if the story about it belonging to a nonagenarian is true, and it's never been used for funeral duties, this could be a distinctive and rather lovely way of swishing around Britain's highways and byways. Well, the highways anyway. 960s are quiet, comfortable and as smooth as a baby's bum. The inline 2.9 24-valve 'whiteblock' six behind that bluff front end is a lovely old thing, the mechanical equivalent of a battered leather club chair. They're referred to as 'whiteblocks' to distinguish them from the unliked 'redblock' sixes found in contemporary Renaults.
Live out your diplomat dreams for £975
Irrespective of how rare they become, 960 Executives are unlikely to entice the classic car speculator. They're not exciting or stylish. They are, however, a great reminder of a good time for quality. Sometimes that's reason enough to buy.
Volvo Executive long wheel base 3 litre, Family owned the last seven years,father retired from driving aged 90, Very comprehensive history including recipts and old MOTs excellent body work,alloys and tyres,leather work very good . 7 months MOT taxed till end of December, sale includes number plate, tow bar with twin sockets used only once in seven years, 97,000 miles and drives very well.
Any questions call Keith on 01493 780460. Belton near Gt Yarmouth Norfolk
If we go anywhere we have to wait 5 minutes for the kids to arrive.
It is a b
h to park though!
My grandfather had two of these big Volvos in the early 1990s, but the standard short wheel base of course. They were good cars and he was pleased with them. They felt strong, safe, luxurious and dignified. They had a quirky individuality which was delightful - sadly something which is missing from most cars. I consider them stylish because of it.
Volvos may have stood for the 'ultimate in crash protection' to many buyers, but they didn't provide it. They were safe cars but not the safest. That podium was shared by the Mercedes S and Jaguar XJ40 at that time.
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