Their aim? To break the record of single-make cars in a parade all in one place. The organisers did it in order to raise money for the charity Breast Cancer Care UK. To add to the occasion, they encouraged participants to attend wearing suitably Swedish-themed clothes at the same time. They aimed for at least 600 cars to attend the event and break the record. It was held at Bruntingthorpe, an airfield that is mostly used for high-speed car testing and storage today.
With over 700,000 Volvos on UK roads, the brand’s loyal owners answered the call in droves, and it certainly looks like the record was duly broken, with well over 1000 cars turning up. However, we won’t hear official confirmation from Guinness World Records for some weeks, Autocar understands.
The Volvos were in all shapes and sizes, from the very latest models to the Swedish company’s very earliest models from the 1930s. Let’s take a look at the highlights:Volvo P1800S (1967)
This stylish 2+2 did more than anything to chance perception of Volvos in the 1960s. This S model featured a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 115bhp. It's perhaps most famous for being the chosen wheels future James Bond actor Roger Moore in the hit television series The Saint which aired from 1962-1969.Volvo 244 DL (1979)
The 240 series became one of the most important cars that Volvo ever produced, and it manufactured around 2.8 million examples over 19 years. It won several global awards for its above-average safety features.
It had a variety of engine options, including a diesel co-developed with Volkswagen. It also came in a 97hp carburettor and 123hp fuel injection versions.Volvo PV444 (1946-1958)
Influenced by American styling, the PV444 was the first small car developed by Volvo, in 1944. There was massive interest in the car when it was launched and Volvo produced around 200,000 units during its lifetime. The car featured an in-line, four-cylinder engine producing 85bhp. This car was the first Volvo to feature a unitary body without a separate frame.Volvo S90 Nilsson Limousine (1990)
This S90 Limousine was built by the coachbuilder Nillsson which manufactured special vehicles based on Volvo cars. The car was available in four-door or six-door form and was based on the last production model of the S90. It was popular among embassies and luxury hotels, and was perceived as a discrete alternative to its German rivals.Volvo S90 Nilsson Limousine
A closer look at this limo, surely the longest car at the event.Volvo V60 Polestar (2015)
This version of the V60 has been reworked by Polestar, Volvo’s performance arm. It's powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which originally comes from the XC90 T8 hybrid but with the electric motors removed. A turbocharger and a supercharger have however been added, allowing the car to produce 362bhp, a 0-62mph time of 4.8sec and a (limited) top speed of 155mph.Volvo 780 (1985-1990)
The 780 is an exclusive and elegant 2-door coupe that premiered in 1985. It was designed and built by Italian styling house Bertone, and based on the 760 saloon. Packaging denied it the PRV V6 engine it should have been perfect for, but it did get a lesser V6 instead.
It was also offered with a VW turbodiesel, but a turbo four-cylinder petrol engine arrived later. 8518 were sold, nearly all of them into the car’s main markets in the US and Europe. It was never officially sold in the UK – this particular example is a US import.Volvo 480ES (1995)
The 480 series was Volvo’s first take on a front-wheel drive hatchback was nothing if not dramatic, with its wedge-shaped design, dramatic pop-up headlights and famous Volvo grille – in this case hidden under the front bumper making it barely visible. It was distinctive and unlike any other model in the Volvo line-up. It featured a four-cylinder engine which produced around 110bhp and was shared with the Renault 11. This particular late model is one of the last of the line.Volvo Amazon 122S (1969)
The Volvo 120 Series also known as the ‘Amazon’ was introduced in 1956. The car caused a surprise because despite a relatively small engine, it had performance that could rival sports cars. It was first introduced as a four-door saloon, followed by a two-door coupe (pictured) and then an estate version.
It was certainly a popular car and boosted Volvo’s awareness in international markets. This lovely example was a very late example, produced just a year or so before production ended.
