Highlights

A highly original, lightly used example of this ‘90’s Volvo range topper
Maintained fastidiously and having covered a mere 48,000 approximately since 1993
Fitted with the sought-after “white-block” 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder petrol engine

The Appeal

By the time the 960 joined the Volvo range in 1991, Volvo had already become a byword for spacious, robust and supremely safe large saloons and estates. With the 960’s arrival the 900 series had an engine to match its executive status for the first time.

The 24-valve, 2.9L double overhead camshaft, six-cylinder engine was all-new in 1991 and boasted an aluminium block, known as the “white-block.” It produced around 200 bhp and was as silky and refined as anything on the market at the time. A perfect accompaniment then to this Swedish executive car icon.

The History and Paperwork

Lightly used and carefully maintained by a total of 5 owners to date
Underwent a speedo change (documented) at ~40,000 miles and is currently showing ~7,400
Having covered, then, a mere ~48,000 miles – just under 1,700 miles a year on average
The car comes with a healthy paperwork archive covering all ownership periods
This includes the current V5 and current advisory free MoT valid until November 2022
A number of previous hard copy MoT’s are also present
There are numerous invoices present detailing maintenance and repairs to the 960
These include a gearbox overhaul from 2021 and an air conditioning service from 2020
A significant engine overhaul was undertaken in 2018 at a cost of over £1,600 around 2,000 miles ago

The Interior

The interior of this 960 is both entirely original and in excellent condition throughout
The comfortable seats are dressed in grey leather
The rear seats look like they have never been sat in
The door cards are delightfully 1990’s with grey, carpeted sections
The grey and black dashboard is in excellent condition with no areas of imperfection noted
The grey carpets are protected by heavy duty, fitted rubber Volvo mats
This has preserved the carpets in an excellent, overall condition
The car is very well equipped for its age with air-conditioning, electric sunroof and electric and heated front seats all present
The boot is fully carpeted and in equally fine fettle
A full sized spare and seemingly unused jack and tool set are stowed beneath the boot floor
The two storage cubbies in the boot contain spare fuses and bulbs
A box of period 960 parts is also included (pictured)

This is a typical Volvo interior for the period. Very well built, a little sombre but completely original and in excellent condition. Everything in here seems to work as it should and it is a very comfortable and well-equipped place to spend time. Despite that the 960 is getting on for 30 years old, it has pretty much everything the modern driver needs. A delightful and refreshingly analogue cabin.

The Exterior

The Silver Metallic (130) paintwork appears to be in excellent original condition
It is deep and shiny and thickly applied in true Volvo fashion
The body work presents in excellent order
All doors and hinged panels open and close with ease and precision
Panel gaps are tight and symmetrical
The large, original light lenses are clear and unmarked front and rear
The original 15 x 6 Volvo alloy wheels are in excellent condition with only the odd minor mark visible on close inspection
The wheels are fitted with quality Pirelli tyres in a 195/65 R15 configuration
The cabin glass appears to be in a fine, unmarked condition

The 960 has aged well and offers a significant road presence. It’s long bonnet and large chromed grill and big headlights gives it a very sophisticated and imposing image. This particular car is hard to fault too. Its paintwork, bodywork and wheels all present very well indeed and we can expect this to be a really head turning car amongst the legions of more anonymous modern cars on the road.

The Mechanics

This 960 is fitted with the 2.9L six-cylinder DOHC petrol engine
Befitting a range-topping car this is a smooth and powerful unit
Feeding power through a four-speed, switchable automatic gearbox to the rear wheels
The paperwork attests to a thorough maintenance record
Combined with a low original mileage and it is no surprise that this car is reported to be in excellent mechanical condition

With the arrival of the 960 in 1991, the 900 Series finally got the engine in needed and deserved. With around 200 bhp and 200 Ib-ft of torque, this engine mated to the smooth changing Aisin Warner auto gearbox, gives the 960 a true executive car demeanour. It’s smooth, quiet and provides a surprising amount of thrust when called upon.

Summary

If you like your 90’s classic saloons in original, period-correct order then look no further than this glorious Volvo 960. The remarkably low original mileage and careful ownership has resulted in a car that could have rolled off the Gothenburg production line just a couple of years ago, rather than nearly 30 years ago.

It is a surprisingly useable proposition too. It’s roomy, beautifully built, and well equipped. Air conditioning, automatic gearbox and electric seats makes this a classic Swedish saloon that could easily be used on a daily basis if desired. The perfect antidote to today’s highly sanitised executive saloons.

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