1995 Volvo 850 T5-R

Highlights

• Superb overall condition
• Unmodified and factory specification UK car
• Rare Olive Green paintwork
• Comprehensive service record and long MOT
• Extremely rare and collectible

Overview

Flashing past the camera in blue and white, two wheels high off the floor as it bounces off a kerb at speed. Say that any petrolhead and they instantly know which car you’re referring to: Volvo’s genre-busting, rule-bending 850 T5R. From thrilling BTCC crowds at the hands of Rydell and Lammers, to terrifying criminals as it gave chase in the hands of the country’s police, the T5R wagon has left an indelible impression on the consciousness of British car enthusiasts.

And rightly so - it’s a fabulous machine. Exquisitely built, well equipped and capable of scaring a period M3 while carrying a full family and a couple of labradors, there was nothing else quite like it and it almost single-handedly made Volvos cool. Of course, good luck finding a decent one these days. Figures vary, but it seems only about 300 were allocated to the UK, and of those we think only about 20 remain on the road. Fortunately for you, we just happen to have one of the nicest examples you’ll see, right here, ready for sale.

We’re too good to you, we really are. Presented in exceptional condition, unmodified and finished in ultra-rare Olive Green paintwork, this delightful 90s performance wagon is ready and raring to attack B-roads, car shows and trips to Ikea (which would be almost like going home). A legend in its own lifetime, we don’t think you’ll find a better example of this thrilling, practical and decidedly wonderful collector’s piece.

History and documentation

• Originally sold from Volvo Central London main dealership
• First registered on 7th July 1995
• Complete with the original order sheet
• Previous MOT certificates going back to 1999
• A comprehensive file of service and maintenance receipts over the life of the car
• A fully stamped Volvo service history
• Original handbooks present and correct, along with two keys
• 121,611 miles on the clock, verified by MOT and service records
• MOT to March 2025
• Mainly used by the present owner for shows and always kept garaged and covered when not in use
• Only being sold as the owner is downsizing and will not have room to store the car
• Unmodified and in full UK factory specification
• Believed to be one of only c.20 left on the road in the UK (howmanyleft.com)

Interior

• Gorgeous black leather and Alcantara upholstery is presented in excellent order, with no evidence of sagging or significant creasing, no rips and no notable wear
• The front seats are electrically operated and feature a 3-memory function as well as being heated
• Complementing the upholstery is dark grey carpeting, which looks to be in fine fettle, together with branded over-mats (rubber in the front and carpet in the rear)
• The headlining is a light grey material and shows no signs of sagging, damage or marking and the light colour works well with the large glass area to make the cabin feel light and airy
• Electric windows all round, electric sunroof and electrically adjustable side mirrors with heating function
• Dual zone climate control
• Original double DIN premium radio/cassette sound system
• Smooth wood veneer adorns the centre console and dashboard, with no peeling, cracking or delamination we could identify
• All of the instrumentation and switchgear looks to be in very good condition, belying the car’s age and presenting extremely well with minimal wear – a testament to the quality of Volvo’s construction in this period
• We’re assured by the vendor that everything in the cabin works just as it should, with no issues or faults to report
• It’s an estate (or “wagon” if you’re feeling uncouth), so there’s a simply huge boot area, equipped with a practical rubber liner

Exterior

• Rare and utterly gorgeous Olive Green metallic paintwork suits the T5R’s ‘Q-car’ vibes perfectly and is shown here in fabulous condition, with no bubbling or notable blemishes we could see
• There are a handful of minor stone chips and minor blemishes, as you’d expect from a car of this age, but nothing that would give us pause for thought
• Overall the bodywork presents like a 5 year old car, not a car that’s nearly 30 – lines are crisp and clean, panels are neatly gapped and well aligned and there are no signs of damage or corrosion
• All of the external plastic trim and badging looks great, with no cracking, warping or fading to be seen, though there is one tiny scuff to the offside front corner of the bumper trim, but that’s nit-picking
• Similarly, all of the light lenses and glass elements look to be free from cracks, chips or marks
• The car is equipped with factory daytime running lights, first introduced to the UK in 1995
• Headlight wipers! There are headlight wipers! And who doesn’t love those…
• It is wearing the correct 17-inch, five-spoke alloys, finished in gunmetal grey and showing very well, with no lacquer peel or kerb damage we could discern
• The wheels are shod in a matched set of high speed Avon tyres, which appear to be quite new
• Underneath, everything looks very clean and tidy, with no corrosion or damage to the sills or floorpans that we could see, and only a light smattering of the usual surface corrosion to some suspension components (the latest MOT notes some corrosion to the springs)
• We adore the subtlety of the styling, with that little red ‘R’ badge, alloy wheels and rear wing just hinting at what’s lurking under the bonnet

Mechanical

• Charismatic and tuneful 2.3-litre five-cylinder, DOHC, 20-valve turbo
• Four-speed automatic transmission offers swift and relaxed progression, with a bootful of kickdown when your right toe nudges the carpet
• Front wheel drive with winter, economy and sport driving modes
• Cruise control
• The first year for Volvo’s groundbreaking Side Impact Protection System (SIPS)
• The engine bay is very clean and tidy, clearly indicating how well the car has been cared for, we observed no evidence of leaks or other issues
• It idles smoothly and sounds subtly muscular, with the vendor telling us that the car drives and performs just as it should, with no problems to report
• We’re told that the car has been recently serviced and that the brakes were overhauled at the same time
• Comprehensive main dealer service record and long MOT give confidence

Summary

This delightful fast long-roof is in such lovely condition that we can only assume the owner has gone back in time and nabbed a nearly new car. Or maybe it’s been driven around wrapped in three-foot thick bubble wrap for the last three decades. Whatever the case, this is a stellar example of one of the most iconic performance cars of the 90s.

We know that many of you will have lusted after the T5R for many years, or maybe you simply want to experience one of the icons of 90s motorsport while also putting something with real investment potential in your garage. Either way, you’ll be waiting a very long time – possibly forever – to see another UK specification car come along that’s as good as this. As they say: it’s boxy, but it’s good. It’s very, very good indeed.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear.