#janwilsgaard

It took 13 years and ended up being the most expensive project in Volvo’s history - but in the summer of 1991, the #Volvo850 finally arrived. Design began in 1978 as #ProjectGalaxy, which would yield two totally new Volvos, a smaller 300-series replacement (G1), and a larger car to replace the 200-series (G2). They would truly be all-new: platforms, engines, gearboxes, the works. The G1 was spun off to Volvo BV in the Netherlands in 1982, becoming the 400-series; work on the larger G2/850 then began in earnest. The new engines of the 850-series were at first called the “X-100” and they were mated with a new gearbox (the M-series, necessarily small to fit in a smaller space) developed for the new cars. Later, Aisin-Warner developed a similarly small automatic. The aluminum “Modular engine” took eight years to reach production, but yielded 26 years of potent, durable motors. The 850 used only I-5s, but there were also fours and sixes. Early prototypes were tested out in a Chevy Citation - about the size of the original G2 idea. The rear suspension was a unique “Deltalink” hybrid of trailing arms and beam axle. In the late 80s, the design was tweaked by a “Driving pleasure group” to make it more fun to drive. Meanwhile, the structure of the car was reinforced by Nils Bohlin’s Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) late in the game. By then, the project had grown in scope and complexity. “850” was chosen because it slotted between “700” and “960.” In 1983, #JanWilsgaard and Lasse Petterson had both presented ideas. Petterson’s version looked a little like a Talbot Tagora, Wilsgaard’s looked more contemporary and got the nod. Because the project dragged on, the lines were progressively softened with the final style changes coming in 1989, but then there were tooling and production delays. The car didn’t arrive stateside until the 1993 model year. I was at once unfamiliar and familiar - boxy but aerodynamic, and offered as a sedan and capacious wagon - clearly a Volvo. The 243-hp T-5R of 1995 drew huge attention for its combo of speed and sleeper looks, spawning the 250-hp #850R for 1996, which continued on sale into early ’97. This is one of those last 850Rs. https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0x6FHFFmz/?igshid=1pe172pb11hzo

#REDBLOCKSOCIETY @crnl00 • • • • • • Is this the most stylish brick? Volvo's first luxury coupe. Classic and modern lines. Designed by Jan Wilsgaard and hoisted in an Italian tailored suit by Nuccio Bertone. #janwilsgaard #volvo262c #bertone #italianstyle #swedishstyle #1978 #volvo #seventies #swedishmetal #GimmeGimmeGimme #classicdriver #gentlemandriver #drivetastefully #turbobricks #swedismetal https://www.instagram.com/p/B7JPQ9Wpreq/?igshid=z9l7ubh9p0am

It took 13 years and ended up being the most expensive project in Volvo’s history - but in the summer of 1991, the #Volvo850 finally arrived. Design began in 1978 as #ProjectGalaxy, which would yield two totally new Volvos, a smaller 300-series replacement (G1), and a larger car to replace the 200-series (G2). They would truly be all-new: platforms, engines, gearboxes, the works. The G1 was spun off to Volvo BV in the Netherlands in 1982, becoming the 400-series; work on the larger G2/850 then began in earnest. - The new engines of the 850-series were at first called the “X-100” and they were mated with a new gearbox (the M-series, necessarily small to fit in a smaller space) developed for the new cars. Later, Aisin-Warner developed a similarly small automatic. The aluminum “Modular engine” took eight years to reach production, but yielded 26 years of potent, durable motors. The 850 used only I-5s, but there were also fours and sixes. Early prototypes were tested out in a Chevy Citation - about the size of the original G2 idea. The rear suspension was a unique “Deltalink” hybrid of trailing arms and beam axle. In the late 80s, the design was tweaked by a “Driving pleasure group” to make it more fun to drive. - Meanwhile, the structure of the car was reinforced by Nils Bohlin’s Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) late in the game. By then, the project had grown in scope and complexity. “850” was chosen because it slotted between “700” and “960.” In 1983, #JanWilsgaard and Lasse Petterson had both presented ideas. Petterson’s version looked a little like a Talbot Tagora, Wilsgaard’s looked more contemporary and got the nod. Because the project dragged on, the lines were progressively softened with the final style changes coming in 1989, but then there were tooling and production delays. - The car didn’t arrive stateside until the 1993 model year. I was at once unfamiliar and familiar - boxy but aerodynamic, and offered as a sedan and capacious wagon - clearly a Volvo. The 243-hp T-5R of 1995 drew huge attention for its combo of speed and sleeper looks, spawning the 250-hp #850R for 1996, which continued on sale into early ’97. This is one of those last 850Rs. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0BjtfMFoOz/?igshid=dmx9grhrs8nw

Those sad tires (and weeds) suggest it hasn’t been driven in awhile, but give it a jump and I bet this old #Volvo would roar back to live, and probably take you anywhere the road will take you. Amazons are like that - fearless, durable, long-lived. Named for the fearsome Amazon Women warriors of myth, in many markets Volvo couldn’t’ get the rights to use the name “Amazon” (spelled ‘Amason’ with an S in #Sweden) so it used the 121/122/123 alphanumerics instead. - It debuted in February of 1956 as a four-door, with the two-door and wagon added appreciably later (1961 and 1962). It resembled a ’55 Chrysler visually - not Volvo’s first transatlantic style inspiration. Stylist #JanWilsgaard actually said the inspiration came from a Kaiser Manhattan. Whatever the inspiration, it looked right and Volvo took considerable steps to make sure that styling lasted - using anti-corrosion agents and factory undercoating to keep it rust-free (to some degree of success - they still rust, but not like some other cars). - The Amazon was basically all new except for the engine, the B16 introduced in the other Volvos in 1956, with the B18 eventually supplanting it in the early 60s. Early three-speeders gave way to four-speeds, with optional overdrive, around the same time. Automatics arrived later - particularly for the wagon, which was manual-only until 1967. The #wagon, introduced in ’62, used the B18 from the start. At the very end of production in 1969-70, a few were built with the 2-liter B20. - With twin carbs and overdrive the 121/122/Amazon was a quick car by early 60s standards - and one that could be enjoyed largely without the potential for constant fettling needed in, say, Alfa Romeo Guiliettas (another car the Amazon bore a cosmetic resemblance to). By the time of the North American introduction, Volvo had also patented and installed three-point seat belts (for 1959), another Volvo safety first. - The Amazon really put Volvo on the map globally - it was produced in #Sweden, Belgium, Canada, South Africa, and Chile and almost 700,000 were sold. Strangely the #stationwagon was the least-produced variant (73,220 built), but in North America is one of the most common. https://www.instagram.com/p/BowlakgFRya/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ues08gcnjidp