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Here is my 1997 Volvo 850R
I have owned the car since Jan 2016. Ever since my friends dad had one brand new back in the day I always fancied getting one. My grandad passed away in 2015 and left me some inheritance so I wanted to get something to remember him by. This car came up for sale so decided to go and have a look. The car had been stood for a while and didn't have a MOT so it was a bit of a gamble but i went for it anyway. Once the car had been transported home I spent some time cleaning it and gave it a good polish, I couldn't believe how well it came up. Then it was time for the MOT, to my surprise all it needed was 2 tyres, front wiper blades and an exhaust bracket. I expected to spend a lot more to get it through the MOT so decided to get a private plate with my grandads initials and the year he was born.
My old man got an 850 T5 as a new co. car back in 94. He ended up keeping it on afterwards, gifted it to me when my first was born in 99 as we needed a sensible family car and then I gave it back to him. Sadly it was stolen and vandalised in 2005 and thus written off 
I remember we went to the Volvo dealer when the 850R was launched and chatted about him 'upgrading'. He never did but I'm determined to get one some day as have very fond memories of the 850.
Lovely looking motor OP the exact spec I would go for...
I remember we went to the Volvo dealer when the 850R was launched and chatted about him 'upgrading'. He never did but I'm determined to get one some day as have very fond memories of the 850.
Lovely looking motor OP the exact spec I would go for...
Thank you for the kind comments so far. It always shocks me how many people still find these cars cool. I live near Shelsley Walsh hillclimb and have seen people taking photos of it whilst it is in the car park, always puts a smile on my face.
The car is still completely standard, so many of them have been modified and ruined. Instead of spending money on modifications I have tried to buy genuine accessories for it such as the boot liner, dog guard, boot divider, roof bars and roof box.
When I purchased the car it came with a huge file of history including all of the old tax discs, MOT certificates and some other interesting paperwork. The car actually started life in Germany. A gentleman who was based at Osnabruck Garrison had the car for around 6 months before it came back the the UK.
I hope to take the car to some events this year so looking forward to that, hopefully the weather will be find this summer.
The car is still completely standard, so many of them have been modified and ruined. Instead of spending money on modifications I have tried to buy genuine accessories for it such as the boot liner, dog guard, boot divider, roof bars and roof box.
When I purchased the car it came with a huge file of history including all of the old tax discs, MOT certificates and some other interesting paperwork. The car actually started life in Germany. A gentleman who was based at Osnabruck Garrison had the car for around 6 months before it came back the the UK.
I hope to take the car to some events this year so looking forward to that, hopefully the weather will be find this summer.
Really like that !
I am on my second Volvo...First was a 1983 360GLS bought in 1988, probably the best all-round car I have owned ( until now !!)
After various Passats and a couple of Alfa 156s ( now they were cool but a bit costly to keep 'right'), and I am now in my second Volvo, a 2010 C30 R-Design.
I have never been in or driven an 850R, but from all the posts on here it seems they were very well built and designed: something I can relate to with mine.
Its just my opinion, but I would keep it 'stock' as Jay Leno would say, and it will probably hold it's value more that if it was modified.
The wood trim on yours is 'in period' I guess you could say : don't think I have ever seen one with that light colour trim before.
Keep the photos and reports, as you can see there is quite a following on here for them !
I am on my second Volvo...First was a 1983 360GLS bought in 1988, probably the best all-round car I have owned ( until now !!)
After various Passats and a couple of Alfa 156s ( now they were cool but a bit costly to keep 'right'), and I am now in my second Volvo, a 2010 C30 R-Design.
I have never been in or driven an 850R, but from all the posts on here it seems they were very well built and designed: something I can relate to with mine.
Its just my opinion, but I would keep it 'stock' as Jay Leno would say, and it will probably hold it's value more that if it was modified.
The wood trim on yours is 'in period' I guess you could say : don't think I have ever seen one with that light colour trim before.
Keep the photos and reports, as you can see there is quite a following on here for them !
Paul S4 said:
Really like that !
I am on my second Volvo...First was a 1983 360GLS bought in 1988, probably the best all-round car I have owned ( until now !!)
After various Passats and a couple of Alfa 156s ( now they were cool but a bit costly to keep 'right'), and I am now in my second Volvo, a 2010 C30 R-Design.
I have never been in or driven an 850R, but from all the posts on here it seems they were very well built and designed: something I can relate to with mine.
Its just my opinion, but I would keep it 'stock' as Jay Leno would say, and it will probably hold it's value more that if it was modified.
The wood trim on yours is 'in period' I guess you could say : don't think I have ever seen one with that light colour trim before.
Keep the photos and reports, as you can see there is quite a following on here for them !
I have owned 4 Volvos altogether, 2013 V40 D3 R Design, 2001 V40 Estate, 2002 V70 D5 and finally the 850. The 2013 V40 was my only brand new car but sadly got written off in 2018. To be honest the V70 was a fantastic car, the clutch and flywheel went just over 220000 miles but it wasn't worth spending anymore money on it.I am on my second Volvo...First was a 1983 360GLS bought in 1988, probably the best all-round car I have owned ( until now !!)
After various Passats and a couple of Alfa 156s ( now they were cool but a bit costly to keep 'right'), and I am now in my second Volvo, a 2010 C30 R-Design.
I have never been in or driven an 850R, but from all the posts on here it seems they were very well built and designed: something I can relate to with mine.
Its just my opinion, but I would keep it 'stock' as Jay Leno would say, and it will probably hold it's value more that if it was modified.
The wood trim on yours is 'in period' I guess you could say : don't think I have ever seen one with that light colour trim before.
Keep the photos and reports, as you can see there is quite a following on here for them !
I would love a C30 as I think they are great looking cars but it wouldn't be practical as we have a 17 month old girl so not ideal which a child seat.
The wood trim is definitely like marmite, I would have preferred one with the dark interior but I not many around.
Court_S said:
That’s really very cool.
I blame the 850 for my love of fast estates. As a life the touring cars were literally the coolest thing ever. I like the saloon too, but really it has to be the estate for maximum oil points.
Looks like a lovely example.
I also loved watching Rickard Rydell and Jam Lammers thrash the 850 around tracks in the BTCC. I still think the 90's were the best years for the BTCC.I blame the 850 for my love of fast estates. As a life the touring cars were literally the coolest thing ever. I like the saloon too, but really it has to be the estate for maximum oil points.
Looks like a lovely example.
Love this, This brings back fond memories of spending time in my mates 850R at the Nurburgring in 2008.
Yours looks much better than his, even now. His had done 3 European trips, this was its 2nd ring trip and covered over 30k without a wash or any form of TLC inside, he looked after it mechanically but didn’t give a monkeys how it looked. Interior was exactly the same as yours too, except it was filthy.
Even then, neglected as it was, amongst some exotic 911s, BMWs, etc the Volvo always drew attention in the car park.
Fantastic cars, and great purchase to remember your grandad by
Yours looks much better than his, even now. His had done 3 European trips, this was its 2nd ring trip and covered over 30k without a wash or any form of TLC inside, he looked after it mechanically but didn’t give a monkeys how it looked. Interior was exactly the same as yours too, except it was filthy.
Even then, neglected as it was, amongst some exotic 911s, BMWs, etc the Volvo always drew attention in the car park.
Fantastic cars, and great purchase to remember your grandad by
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