Volvo 221 Estate
ENGINE 1788cc/4-cyl/OHV (std) POWER 86bhp@5400rpm TORQUE 103lb ft@3200rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 92mph 0-60MPH 14.4sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 20-27mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four speed manual + o/d MoT May 2021 ODOMETER 48,090 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
With its engine having been extensively breathed upon, this Volvo is far livelier than you might expect. It fires easily; the choke takes a little fiddling to keep the mixture right at first but the engine is free-revving and powerful once warm. The four-speed gearbox is easy to slot into gear and the overdrive clicks in and out as it should, and it roars away like a rally car with the air sucking through big cone filters. The uprated suspension gives a slightly firmer ride with excellent body control but is smooth over bumps and inspires confidence at speed. The non-assisted steering feels tight and true, while the nowservo-assisted brakes are very sharp – it’s all too easy to lock the front wheels during an emergency stop.
BODYWORK CHECK
The paint has a nice shine and the panels are not dented, but there are a few small chips and a tiny bubble of surface rust on the offside rear wing. The chrome and stainless trim on the front bumpers, grille and around the windows is good, but the tailgate handle and rear light surrounds are pitted. The rear bumper is very good, the hubcaps excellent and the Kumho 165/80/15 tyres new.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The tan vinyl seats are in great shape; there’s light patina to the material but it hasn’t split and isn’t worn or sagging. The headlining and door cards are good, too. An older radio/ cassette player has been fitted in the dash and speakers fitted to the front doors. The front seatbelts are original and later ones have been added to the rear, though the buckles have marked the wheel arch vinyl. There are some cracks in the dash top’s grooved pattern and a rev counter has been mounted on top. New carpets
have been fitted in the cabin and boot area and the rear seats fold down.
UNDER THE BONNET
This is where the car has been transformed with sensible upgrades. The motor has a lightened flywheel, uprated camshaft, lightened cam followers, a gas-flowed Stage 2 head with new valves and springs, a four-branch manifold and sports exhaust and the twin 1.75-inch HS6 carbs have been overhauled. The car has covered only 3000 miles since this work was done. The suspension is polybushed and fat anti-roll bars have been fitted along with Bilstein dampers. An alternator conversion has also been fitted.
THE CCW VIEW
This may not be in concours condition, but it is one of the best examples we’ve driven. The modifications are well thought-through, don’t change its character and only improve it. Driving this car is huge fun and it’s presentable enough to be proud of, but not so perfect that you would fret about ever using it.