[S.R.]

The First 850...

quote:

Before being imported into the United States, every new car has to be crash tested. Unfortunately, the first United States crash test of the Volvo 850 GLT was not planned. While it proved a testament to the strength and design of the car, Volvo wanted no part in publicizing the crash results.

When the 850 GLT project was still under wraps in 1990, Volvo had arranged to ship one via a 747 to Arizona, where it would undergo hot weather climate tests. Instead, it ended up on its roof on the tarmac at the Seattle airport. A hoist broke as the container was being unloaded from the airplane. The 850 ended up being dropped on its roof after a 15-foot fall. While the 850's roof stood up almost perfectly, its life as a prototype test car was over.

Needless to say, Volvo was not pleased about the destruction of one of its half-million dollar prototypes, but to make matters worse, the Seattle airport management staff photographed the still-secret 850 for insurance purposes. After several days of frantic searching by Volvo representatives, the photographs were recovered, and another 850 GLT was dispatched to Arizona to complete climate testing. The 850 could prove to be Volvo's most historically important car ever, and what better way than to make a smashing entrance into the United States.

Pretty neat huh? This is probably the first time this has been shown on the Internet as well!

-Drew

 

[[email protected]]

I don't think your link is working. I dug up a pic of the first C70 also. I'll put it in the C70 gallery when I get around to it.

 

[JHEIII850Turbo]

WOW! Great story, Drew. It's great when information like that is found, thanks for sharing it. I don't think it's my computer or connection, but I can't seem to access that pic link... o well, the story describes it nicely, and I'll try it at home, because these admins tend to block anything with the .jpg extension... ya know, kids and pics, not the best combo haha

 

[S.R.]

It should be working fine now guys, as I changed the server location. Yeah, it is a really neat story! Fitting for a Volvo I guess.

-Drew

 

[[email protected]]

That's a great story. Wherever did you find it?

George

 

[745TRBOBRK]

It doesn't surprise me they did that. My suitcase comes back with more scrapes and dents everytime I fly home.

 

[towerymt]

Great find! I haven't seen that one before.

I guess this would be the first racing 850, a prototype built up by S.A.M Steffansson Automotive in 1993 (there wasn't even an 850 wagon for the US market in '93!):

 

[Prospero]

Great work! Love the background info on the 850! Kudos, and thanks.

Prospero

 

[1FASTBOX]

That is cool stuff, love to see more of that.