Latest news

Picture the scene. It is the spring of 1986 and waiting at a set of traffic lights are a sober-looking new Volvo Estate and a 1977 Capri 3.0S Mk. II festooned with “Go Faster” stripes and driven by a Paul Calf-look-alike. The latter’s grey loafer is poised over the throttle, ready to prove to the world (or at least his fellow A34 motorists) that he is King of Road. Cue the station wagon leaving Mr. Ford for dust.

The Turbo, especially in estate form, was one of the great Q-Cars of the 1980s. However, when Volvo unveiled the 760 Series in February 1982 as the successor to the 265 saloon, many observers were aghast at Jan Wilsgaard’s styling. Gordon Murray ranted in Autocar ‘To me it’s obscene! That goes right against the grain of what everybody else is trying to do. To me it looks like a European version of a North American car’. 

The 760’s looks remained a talking point for several years. In 1983 Car evaluated the Volvo opposite a Ford Granada Ghia and a Peugeot 604 in 1983 and declared it the winner ‘not least because, from the driving seat, you can’t see what it looks like’. However, the 700 series, like all great Volvos, was never concerned with the vagaries of fashion. It was durable, well-appointed, comfortable and of very individual appeal.

British sales commenced in July 1982, and the following year Volvo introduced the 760 Turbo. The latter especially appealed to those drivers who preferred a low-key approach to motoring. In place of the familiar 2.8-litre V6, there was a 2.3-litre four-cylinder plant with a Garrett T3 Turbocharger combined with four-speed plus overdrive transmission. The result was a chartered accountant’s express capable of 117 mph with 0-60 in 9.3 seconds.

Motor stated the Turbo was the fasted Volvo they had ever tested and in many ways it proved ‘better than expected, with a good engine matched to a surprisingly wieldy chassis.’ They concluded it was ‘not the overtly sporting “limo” that the badge suggests, more a plush express for people who like Volvos’ – which was the key to the 760’s appeal.  At £14,850 the 760 was not cheap; the BMW 528i, Citroën CX GTi and Saab 900 Turbo were all less expensive while another £615 would have bought you a Rover Vitesse.

Yet none of these fine cars seemed to possess the Volvo’s blend of solidity and deceptive verve. The 700 Series Estates made their bow in 1985, and the chaps of Motor seemed even more taken with it – stating that it was ‘absurdly rapid’. This was ‘a big, fast well-appointed Jekyll of an estate car’ one that could ‘reveal something of Mr. Hyde when it comes to the traffic lights’. Not, of course, that any respectable Volvo owner would take overt pleasure in defeating Vauxhall Astra GTEs at junctions.

The 900-series replaced the 700 in 1990, but Mr. Murray was still not impressed after eight years. ‘If everyone drove around in Volvo 760s there’d be no room on the road for you and me! It’s ridiculous making these massive cars for people to travel around on their own’. Meanwhile, another Swedish-built estate-car accelerated into the distance...

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your Volvo today.