Back in 1982 Volvo introduced a model that set the market agape. When the large 760 was rolled out, one of the top motoring writers of the time, LJK Setright, described it as follows: "Scarcely credible even as a car of the present, though some of its qualities are redolent of a sadly lost past."
These were certainly the kind of sentiments that propel a model straight into the realms of the classic, as has happened with the 760.
It never ceases to amaze me how older Volvos can hook the fans. It often happens to the famous because former American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, likes nothing better than restoring older Volvos.
In the 1980s Volvos were becoming very interesting and the 760 led the way for a whole new surge of product loyalty.
It was a big, three-box hunk with hardly a curve in sight. It was all straight lines, and as one commentator stated it was a metal origami.
The 760 was Volvo's first major foray into the prestige market since the Volvo 164 went out of production in 1975, and was successful in that regard.
It was mainly aimed at the American luxury market and was one of the leaders in turbodiesel options in this sector.
The 760 was discontinued after the 1990 model year, replaced by the Volvo 960, an evolutionary update of the 760 chassis, but with the corners somewhat smoothed out.
All 760s were built in Kalmar, Sweden.
The Volvo 760 was also used as a police car in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland; Belgian police used this as well. The Irish Garda used the 760 GLE version too, between 1986 and 1989.
Autumn 1990 saw the launch of the Volvo 960, in time for the 1991 model year. This was the replacement for the 760. The 1991 960 was an evolutionary progression of the 1990 760.
It never ceases to amaze me just how many of these old Volvos are still on the road.
Once round the clock just seems to warm them up for the next 100,000 miles.
The 760 has always been a favourite of mine. It was one of those cars you could spread out in and enjoy the day. It used acres of sheet metal but was one of the best everyday cruisers you could buy. Solid, dependable and very long lasting.
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