Volvo The Classic Swedish Brick

Classic Reliable Car But Not Rare

Does Volvo still earn its “SwedishBrick” nickname today? The Swedish auto maker has been sharing its platform ever since Ford took over in 1999; it quickly became one of those generic new cars. It was actually the 200 series which shaped Volvo’s reliability perceived image and was greatly heightened further by safety features of 15 km anti crash proven bumpers. There was a shock absorption system built in within the bumper structure guarantee to fully absorb any impact up to such speed collision without any damage.

Had JM Latvala hit the barrel with such bumper on the last SS at WRC of Poland he would have been into the podium (Ford would have snitched away the manufacturing title from Citroen), perhaps Malcolm Wilson should consider fitting as such for his unreliable yet brilliant No. 2 driver? Unfortunately the 700 series had no longer absorbing bumper as the 200’s successor and the 900 has even plastic bumper as part of auto maker cutting cost measure.

Durable Power Plant

The 200 had also introduced the first of its kind paramount safety features such as; Multistage impact absorbing steering column and reminder safety belt indicator. But it was the B2s series engine that made Volvo earns its reputation as a durable car being a simple and rugged design power plant. In its basic format as normally aspirated petrol engine the performance is sufficiently under power, yet as Turbocharger version particularly B230ET is one of the most powerful performance engine rated at 182hp. This 2.3L engine was briefly fitted into the 740 intercooler.

For the die hard enthusiast this Volvo740 beast is a desirable classic performance as its Turbo waste-gate could easily be tricked along with other ancillary to speed up turbo spooling as well as maintaining higher boosting pressure.

Volvo 960

The B230FT engined 900 Series was badged as 960 in Indonesian market as 740 successor; this series was also well known as the official car for government ministrial ranks. This 162K mileage 1997 960 is equipped with Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), ABS and all leather as standard option. For the first two years after the purchase in 2005 it had been a trouble free daily drive, and the following two years it had received TLC as it undergone various parts replacement surgery. Though, all replacements were due to normal wear and tear.

The car accelerates briskly to 140 Kmh, though not as brisk as our 1989 e28 BMW 520i (manual shifter). It wafts beautifully along the harsh punishing Cipularang Toll road with poised control and returns around 30 mpg. The Swedish auto maker had beefed up the 960 suspension a lot firmer than 740 which was very comfortable ride in contrast, gone was the day of typical under steer characteristic; the character which Volvo deliberately tuned for passive safety reason in order to discourage the driver speeding up further. Unfortunately its Turbocharger merely functions for balanced power and economy; thus has lower Turbo pressure than its 740 predecessor and consequently lower output at 165hp

Since late last year after an extensive body repainting with some new body parts the 960 has been honoured to be garaged all the time except for those special drive occasions only (garaged for artificial elongated durability). Those Ford parts bin might not help the tarnishing image except for mere luxury midsize car to compete with BMW and Mercedes Benz!

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