Volvo started promoting brick-shaped rear-wheel-drive station wagons in america with the 145 within the 1968 mannequin yr, persevering with the custom with the 200, 700 and 900 sequence wagons and right through the final 1998 V90s. The advantages of front-wheel-drive proved unattainable for these Göteborgers to withstand, although, and so the 850 was developed. The 850 sedan first appeared in america as a 1993 mannequin, with the wagon model following in 1994. At this time’s Junkyard Gem is a kind of first-year 850 wagons, present in a Colorado Springs self-service yard lately.
The 850 wasn’t the primary manufacturing Volvo with front-wheel-drive (the 1986 Volvo 480 beat it to European showrooms), however it was the primary one obtainable on our continent.
The bottom 1994 Volvo 850 wagon for the U.S. market had a 2.4-liter DOHC straight-five rated at 168 horsepower and 162 pound-feet, however this automobile has the turbocharged model with its 222 horses and 221 pound-feet.
American consumers of the 1994 Volvo 850 had the selection of a five-speed guide or a four-speed computerized. Most took the automated.
This automobile is a loaded mannequin with energy sunroof and different goodies along with the slushbox, so its MSRP was $30,985 (about $66,194 in 2024 {dollars}). This was a bit lower than a equally outfitted 960 wagon (which listed at $34,950, or $74,665 after inflation). The antiquated however dependable 240 wagon had been discontinued the yr earlier than, with the 740 wagon getting the axe the yr earlier than that).
This automobile simply made it previous the 200,000-mile mark throughout its profession on the street. That is respectable, although I’ve discovered discarded Volvos that made it past 400,000 miles (and one which acquired to 631,999).
The inside seemed fairly good earlier than somebody smashed all of the home windows. Maybe vandalism despatched a operating automobile to this place.
Somebody was sort sufficient to jot down down the safety code on the manufacturing facility radio.
Drive safely.
For these of you who hate to commute however adore driving.