Picture the scene: Australia, 1986. The land of Holden versus Ford, a head-to-head battle fought on racetracks and in driveways across the nation. Enter Volvo, the sensible Swedish car brand known more for safety wagons and retirees in sensible shoes than tyre-shredding speed demons.
Then, a most peculiar thing happened. Inspired by a win with a cobbled-together Volvo in the previous year, the Australian Volvo Dealer Council decided to throw their sensible shoes into the fiery furnace of Aussie Supercars (well, Touring Cars back then, but let's not get bogged down in details). Thus, the Volvo Dealer Team, or AVDT for those who enjoy saying their vowels alphabetically, was born.
Now, the AVDT wasn't exactly a team of seasoned racing veterans. It felt more like a bunch of enthusiastic car salespeople who took "meeting their sales targets" a bit too literally. Their weapon of choice? A boxy Volvo 240, lovingly nicknamed "The Brick." Aerodynamic as a toaster and about as subtle as a Viking war horn, The Brick was about as intimidating as a lost sock drawer.
Their rivals, Ford and Holden, scoffed. Imagine their surprise, then, when Volvo took the first two races by storm! Turns out, underestimating the power of a determined team with a car that handled like a go-kart on steroids can be a big mistake.
Here's where things get interesting. The Volvo team, bless their bushy-hatted hearts, seemed to be fueled by equal parts ambition and sheer confusion. Management squabbles erupted faster than a kangaroo on a trampoline. Their lead driver, Robbie "The Flying Brick" Francevic, swapped cars with a young John Bowe more times than most people change socks. It was enough to make a mechanic cry into his grease rag.
Despite the internal mayhem, Volvo clawed its way to a championship victory. The win was met with a mix of awe and amusement by the racing world. Here was a team that shouldn't have worked, a car that shouldn't have been fast, and yet, they emerged victorious.
The Volvo Dealer Team's 1986 season was a glorious mess, a testament to the fact that sometimes, a bit of Swedish eccentricity and a whole lot of heart can leave the big boys choking on their exhaust fumes. So next time you see a Volvo station wagon, remember, beneath that sensible exterior lies the soul of a champion – albeit a slightly confused one.
Ahh those were the days …
Anyway, this week's edition of a tumbling new car price is the venerable Volvo C40 Twin - at a 'reduced' price of $88,990 driveaway no more to pay …
T&C's
This offer is valid on MY23/MY24 C40 Recharge Twin models. The $88,990 Drive Away price includes standard on-road costs, such as registration, CTP insurance and stamp duty. Offer applies to in-stock new C40 models purchased and delivered between 1st July 2024 and 30th September 2024. Excludes Demonstrators. This offer is not transferable or redeemable for cash or used in conjunction with any other offer. Not available to fleet, government or rental buyers. Subject to stock availability. Volvo Car Australia reserves the right to change this offer at any time.
Nobody is buying a Volvo rn my guy.