1981 Volvo 265 GLE

I'm very pleased to offer for sale, an exceptionally rare 1981 Volvo 265 GLE Estate with only 126, 180 original miles for sale. This vehicle is in excellent condition throughout with extensive service history and paperwork.
At a Glance:
- 1 of 3 in this colour in the * world*
- 1 of 8 265 GLE Autos in the UK
- Low miles at 126, 180
- 1 previous owner from brand new until November 2024 (I am only the second owner!)
- Automatic gearbox
- Legendary ‘full fat’ Volvo 2. 8 V6 engine
- MOT’d every year with no major failures ever
- MOT, TAX, ULEZ & CAZ exempt
- Ziebart rust prevention coating underneath and inside the body
- Very high specification: leather seats; air-conditioning & many options including factory towbar and rear-facing leather seats (believed to be unique to this UK 265 only)
- 1981 car on X plates as imported in 1982.
One of the lesser-known Volvo estates; the 265 GLE was ‘the’ luxury Volvo of its time. Boasting leather seats; chrome trim; electric windows; automatic gearbox; A 2. 8 V6 engine, and much more... In 1981, the Volvo 260 was rare, the 265, even more so and a special order only from Volvo. To buy this car you had to ask specially for it, and then wait months and months... Now, in 2025 these are exceptionally rare – rarer than the Volvo 262 or 780, with fewer than 10 original 265s registered in the UK left, and one of a mere three in this colour in the world.
Therefore, you are undoubtedly going to struggle to find another one full stop, let alone another as good as this.
History:
With ONE previous owner, this car was originally ordered (order number 100774) in late 1980 by a gentleman living in Belgium, whilst serving as an RAF Officer. Originally from the UK; He ordered the 265 via Volvo Concessionaries of W1, London (this was a special Tourist, Diplomat and Military Sales branch). He then waited three months for the car to arrive, specifying it to his exacting requirements at the time, with every possible option. Once ready in February 1981, he picked it up from the original Volvo factory it was built at in Gothenburg, Sweden.
From here, for the remainder of 1981, the 265 spent its life in Europe, mostly frequenting Belgium and the Netherlands, when in the Netherlands, the 265 was treated to a Ziebart rust prevention coating throughout the car, inside all panels, doors, the body, and the underside. This is a well-known and very high-quality rust preventative and under-seal material; this treatment was then monitored for subsequent years in the Harrow branch of Ziebart. This is a testament to the previous owner’s dedication to keeping this car to the highest standard possible, considering from the factory, all Volvos are undersealed from the get-go!
In its time in Europe, the 265 received its first 2 services from Volvo, as stamped in the service book. In 1982, the 265 was then imported into the UK; this is why it is on an X reg (1982), even though it is a 1981 car. From then on, the previous owner did all servicing himself, sticking to a strict regime every 5000 miles, which included changing the engine oil and filter; checking all other fluids; checking the tightness of bolts; and periodically changing spark plugs and other consumables as necessary (this checklist is included in the service history). Aside from the previous owner’s own servicing, there are a huge amount of invoices from Volvo for genuine parts between 2008 and 2016. There is also an invoice from 1997 that includes MOT, new rear brake calipers, new brake master cylinder and new brake pads.
Then, in 2004, the 265 had new rear shock absorbers. (From factory, the car had air-powered self-levelling suspension, this was replaced by Nivomat self-levelling suspension, which is a genuine Volvo part and is hydraulic-powered, and still works very well today.)
There is also an invoice from 2022 for an MOT and wiring. With a final invoice in 2023 for an MOT, full service, steering rack recondition, and 2 new tyres. This car has been MOT’d every year with a good report overall, with occasional minor issues, but no rust, no major failures or anything particularly untoward. Three years ago the 265 became MOT, TAX, and ULEZ/ CAZ exempt, regardless of this, the car has still been MOT’d every year and has passed with flying colours, the car has a full 1 year MOT as of 14/ 01/ 2025.
Specification:
This Volvo 265 was originally ordered in 1980 in Light Green Metallic over Beige Leather, with the following options: - Tow Bar & Electrics - Levelling Suspension (replaced with newer Nivomat system) - Sport Alloys (as well as standard steel and chrome wheels) - Real Sheepskin seat covers (genuine Volvo and fitted from 1981 until 2024) - Extra rear-facing seats in Leather with seatbelts (incredibly rare and never used -STILL IN ORIGINAL PLASTIC WRAP PACKAGING!!!) - Oil Pressure Gauge - Ambient Temperature Gauge - Volt Meter - Beige Snow Trays (Floor Mats) - Locking Wheel Nuts (still in original box)Locking Fuel Cap - Reflective Bumper Stripes - Selmar Alarm (works very well) - Ziebart Undersealing As well as the optional extras mentioned above, the Volvo has the following features: - Automatic Gearbox (3 Speed) - Rear wheel drive - B28E 2850cc V6 Engine - Air Conditioning (working) - Leather Seats - Wool Carpet - Chrome trim (grille, headlights, door handles, bump stops, window surrounds, bumper trim, boot handle, boot hinges, steel wheel trims.) - Rear Fog Lights - Alpine Bluetooth Stereo - Stainless Steel Exhaust System - All electric windows - Heated rear window - Headlight washers and wipers - 2 sets of 5x wheels (chrome - steel wheels and alloy sport wheels.) - Extra air horn (US option) with alarm system.
Mechanics, cosmetics, fixes:
Recently, the Volvo has undergone the following work: - Stainless steel exhaust system - Service, oil, filters, spark plugs. - Brake overhaul - Steering rack recondition - Exhaust rubber replacements - Rear arch and inner sill rust repair (very small areas) - Rear light replacement - Front-end repaint (due to stone chips and minor damage)
Condition: This Volvo 265 is an * exceptional* timewarp car in wonderful condition, it drives flawlessly; and could have come straight from a museum. Mechanically, it is immaculate and wants for nothing, the suspension, brakes, engine, running gear and electrics are all spot on. Everything works! The interior is near immaculate, having had sheepskin covers on all seats, double floor mats in the front and a custom-made boot liner in the rear. As well as this, the bodywork is exceptionally straight and structurally it is incredibly sound with no prior repairs done other than the recent sill repair. Points that may want some attention if you desire concourse condition: - The driver’s seat has minor wear (see photos), I have cleaned and waxed it, I think it may need some hide food to bring it up to perfection. - Small rust spots on the rear passenger door (very minor). - Tiny rust spot on the driver’s rear quarter (very minor). - Small surface rust on tailgate from rear wiper. - The dashboard has minor cracking from the sun. The above points are all very minor imperfections, however I’d rather disclose any potential snagging points. These are also all things I can rectify at cost if the new custodian wishes.
For transparency, this 265 is a CAT N (Non-structural). This is due to very minor damage on the front end of the car, which for the most part was a damaged headlight, a few scratches and a small dent in the bonnet and front wing; this was from when the car was accidentally left in ‘drive’ on the gearbox and rolled into a post on the previous (first) owner’s driveway. All this has been repaired and repainted to a high standard with a careful hand; bending everything back and sourcing a replacement original headlight and trim. I have photographs of the car before, the damage, the repair process and of course the finished article. If you would like to see these images or need more information, please contact me.
Summary:
This fantastic Volvo 265 GLE with 1 previous owner is a once-in-a-lifetime car. These are * so* rare; and you simply will not find another, especially one of this calibre.
The colour combination is exceptional, the condition is excellent and the specification is timeless. At only 126, 180 miles (may differ very slightly as we are driving it), it is super low mileage for a 42-year-old car, and it’s been maintained exceptionally well. The Volvo 265 is eligible for Classic Car Insurance, meaning insurance is very cheap. It is also considered by the DVLA a ‘Historic Vehicle’ meaning it is exempt from VED (road tax) and MOT (although it is still MOT’d).
With the Historic title comes the benefit of it being exempt from the ULEZ, all CAZs and any other UK-based emission zone – as well as most in Europe I believe (please check). This makes the 265 as wonderfully cheap classic to run and enjoy! I would recommend always using 99 Octane (premium) fuel, as with any classic it will not deteriorate rubber parts.
This Volvo comes with the following parts included with the sale:
- Original order form and specification form
- Original import documents; service history
- Many parts invoices
- Original handbook with associated documents
- Previous log books (1 previous owner from new) the log book was changed in 2023 due to address change
- Selmar Alarm system with instructions
- Ziebart certificate - Locking wheel nuts (NOS)
- 5x Sport Alloys
- 5x Steel and Chrome wheels
- Genuine Volvo Snow trays
- 2x Main Keys
- 2x Boot lid/ glove box/ petrol cap keys
- 1x Number tag (to order replacement keys from the dealer)
- 1x Special Delivery key ring
- Haynes Manual
- Volvo repair manual
- 1970s diecast Matchbox Model of the Volvo

I am a Volvo expert and specialist, and I have spent a considerable amount of time working on this car to make it as tidy and original as possible.