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BASIC DETAILS

Dashboard

Mark Sold

Take Deposit

Model History

Equipment

None of the usual Q-car manufacturers had expected Volvo to make a very fast 4WD estate (To replace the preceeding FWD 850R), but the perhaps entertaining truth found by those who challenged it was that this model was capable of embarrassing other seemingly fast cars, whether on a typically damp UK country roads or on Motorways. To this day the Volvo V70R AWD remains a superb & versatile performance car capable of handling anything from the weekly shop, to being used as a car for business, offering tough, reliable spacious and comfortable practicality with the ability to dispatch 0-60 in just 7.2 seconds and  go on to top out at (a restricted) 155mph.   An impressive list of standard equipment showed that Volvo had thought of everything: ABS, SRS airbags for both front seat occupants and VIPS side airbags, WHIPS (Whiplash protection) system, red warning lights on all 4 side doors, factory fitted tinted glass, tilt / slide electric glass sunroof, roof rails, unmarked grey leather & Alcantara interior with (almost instant & very warm!) heating for front & rear seats, electric front seats with memory, veneer trim panels, split - foldable rear seats, dual climate control air conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, Original 8-speaker sound system, "R" fitted floor mat set, remote controlled door mirrors with retract mode & heated door mirror glass with anti blind spot glass on driver's side, remote central locking, remote fuel & tailgate release, pre-tensioned seat belts, headlights with wash/wipe, deep front spoiler with integrated driving lights, high-level rear spoiler, rear wash-wipe, mud flaps for all 4 wheels.

Exterior

This example finished in beautiful Saffron metallic & is clearly an example in unique condition throughout. It has been owned & used since new only on Japan's salt-free & pristinely maintained roads. Paintwork is visibly stunning on this example. Highly reflective with a deep glossy shine, with no pin dents or scratches and a lack of stone chips serve to show its evident this V70R has always been driven sensibly &  garaged by its previous mature owner and was cared for throughout it’s life in Japan. Being unique to the R model, Saffron metallic paint is the rarest colour of all on these and suits this car very well looking rather purposeful for a modern classic Volvo. Stood beside a Laser blue example, the colour has really grown on us and we prefer the Saffron one!  As pictures show this is a car that's got pin straight lines on it's flanks. There are zero pin dents, testimony to the care this car's had. It's been so well preserved throughout, the bodywork still looks like new, nearly over well over 20 years after it rolled off the production line, also helped by the as new condition Enkei ERST 17" wheels we added to this car.

Interior

Interior as pictures show is in fantastic condition throughout showing minimal wear and great patina. The heated leather/alcantara diamond stitched seats are in superb condition, this has been a non-smoker’s car.  Some wear on the driver's seat and one small mark, which is excusable bearing in mind the age of the car.  If really desired, we could have the small section there re-trimmed, but we felt it was too minor a fault to warrant the additional cost of re-trim work.  The steering wheel is unworn, as is the shift lever - similarly near new. Ashtray has had virtually no use and cigar lighter shows no signs of use so we believe this was a non-smoker's car. Floor mats are also in excellent condition, which indicates to us that this car was mainly used in the city and the carpet on the boot floor is still like new, indicating this car wasn't used for load carrying much - if ever. The headlining had aged when this car came to us, so we had it professionally re-trimmed in matching synthetic Alcantara finish. It's now better than new.

Engine & Transmission

Wheels, Brakes & Suspension

Condition Report

Test Drive

History

Corrosion resistance is generally excellent with these, but examples that have been on UK & European roads all of their lives will already have been subject to over 2 decades of annual winter salt, mud & sand as a layer that tends to build up over the years attaching itself to the underside, arches, exhaust, engine bay, etc. Such a mixture often finds itself mixed with moisture resulting from use in typical weather in the UK. All combined this makes an effective electrolytic substance which is the cause of rust & other problems associated with corrosion. By contrast, in Japan cars don't corrode in the same way as in the U.K. & Europe. It shocks people when they see how corrosion free a well-chosen can from Japan can actually be... Such as this low mileage V70R phase 13, for example! In Japan salt isn't used on plains areas, only in the higher altitudes (mountains areas, etc). where people rarely go during winter due to difficult driving conditions and so even there, salt is rare. Japan's roads are well drained and protected from debris falling onto them since there are frequent earthquakes and typhoon rains can also occur. This means mud, etc. isn't to be found on roads, unlike the UK and for this reason, this example is completely rust free. For someone wanting only the very best examples available, it'll be hard to beat. As these V70R's were generally used as reliable workhorses (capable of very high mileages) on a daily basis, the vast majority in Europe & Scandinavia have suffered from rust & abuse. Despite this, they have a cult following, especially in Scandinavia.  It's possible the Swedes & Norwegians know a thing or two about how tough these old Volvos are, the secret is out and these are nostalgic cars these days, rare ones at that!  This Phase 1 V70R had it's timing belt replaced at 92,215km and has been clearly very well cared for by its previous owner in Japan, with comprehensive service history and original books to be included with other paperwork. It has received a comprehensive service in the UK, inclusive of a replacement catalytic converter, oil & filter change, new spark plugs, air filter and gearbox flush with fresh Dextron 3 oil to ensure it continues to run perfectly for the new owner.   Costing well over £30,000 when new in 1997 this represents a very capable serving of Performance Q-car family estate for the money. Now imported to the U.K. and offered by ourselves in partnership with our UK preparation agents JT Auto Classics.