Great Cars: VOLVO

Over the years, the Volvo name has become synonymous with strength and reliability. Volvo’s commitment to standards and obsession with safety, have always been far ahead of its time. It’s a car designed by people whose customers need a vehicle that can withstand late night, head-on, encounters with a reindeer. The cold and unforgiving climate where it’s built and tested has generated a car that endures. One Volvo owner has driven his car over one million miles. Volvo’s reputation for safety and durability has been bolstered by a newfound interest in style. No matter how it looks it’s really about building safe cars that seem to last nearly forever.
EP 204

[@ahr332ramvepsen2]

I have a 1998 Volvo 940 station wagon. My grandfather bought it from a Swedish baker in 2000. Traded it with my father for his 240, My father took it to Sweden summer 2000 and installed a turbo kit, Went back in 2001 to get a car alarm on it. My mother drove it to and from work until last year when I took over it. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! Pretty much everything on the car was installed in the factory and works perfectly. (I'm Norwegian)

[@stephenburnage7687]

I have a 1967 122S. What a great car! Now 54 years old and still no rust. Drives in traffic like a modern car but with looks to die for.

[@ralfhaggstrom9862]

B 18 or B 20 ...................

[@stephenburnage7687]

@@ralfhaggstrom9862 B18. A previous owner added overdrive and the manifold to bring it up to 123GT specs. It is an extraordinary car in so many ways. And can you believe no rust after 50+ years?

[@ralfhaggstrom9862]

OK, after my first car (minor 1000 -59) I got our companys motor-wrecked Duet, B 16, built a totally new motor old out new in place. A few years later my older brother won in lottery, his amazon B18, also wrecked motor, he gave to me, built a totally new, (model -64). Also had a 343 rubber-band, (renault-motor), Volvo nowadays dont feel "volvo". Ralf .......................@@stephenburnage7687

[@stephenburnage7687]

@@ralfhaggstrom9862 My first part time job (while still a student) was working as a barman. My boss there was the sort of guy who shouldn't run a bar - drinking the profits and generally having a good time. He had a Volvo Amazon and as the evenings wore on he would brag about his car and challenge customers to a street race (to a local beauty spot and back - maybe a ten mile round trip). Most customers had the good sence to turn him down but over a period of a year or so probably half a dozen accepted. The Volvo won hands down everytime with at least a ten minute margin. I do recall one of the challengers was a Morris Minor, which was rolled on one of the tight bends. It was ridiculous, irresponsible (late 60's / early 70's) behaviour but it endeared me to the Amazon for ever.

[@ralfhaggstrom9862]

I had fun on dirt roads and winter with 6,70-15 tyres. they really "dug in" with both Duet and Amazon. @@stephenburnage7687

[@mikeclark4416]

I owned a beautiful Volvo 245DL , Then went to Land Rover , Now 35 years later returned back to Volvo - a V70 - Back in love with the Queen of Sweden ! .

[@spize9342]

after 25 years my volvo 945 is still running great!

[@TarmenAmzarian]

One magnificent story missing some context: After the invention of the three point seatbelt, Volvo decided it to be too important for safety not to share, so even though they claimed patent for the invention around the world, they aloud free and imediate use of it to all car manufacturers. They even for a time sponsored the engineer inventing it, Nils Bohlin, to go free of cost to other car manufacturers to instruct them how to implement the system.

[@user-ss2ly1ir6j]

'ALLOWED" lol.............duh

[@TarmenAmzarian]

@@user-ss2ly1ir6j It was written on a non-English phone, so auto correct took care of that.

[@patrickbrookings]

That's indeed very true, and shows again how important safety has always been for them.

[@aaroncostello8812]

I had a 1970 144S sedan back in the late 1990s. Bought it off of a buddy for $150. One day I was stopped in the roadway waiting to turn right into a shopping mall to visit my barber. A pedestrian was walking the other way down the sidewalk and I had to wait for him to get across the entryway before I could make my turn. I was rear-ended by a fully loaded semi truck going about 35 mph. The semi hit me so hard it broke my seat and sent the car rolling uncontrollably for nearly 70 feet where it ended up atop a large, round concrete planter. Had that planter not been there I would have plowed right into an espresso stand! The 144's trailer hitch and rear bumper were sitting nearly vertically where the rear parcel shelf should be...the trunk was completely collapsed in on itself. I walked away, and what amazed me the most about that car was the fact that THE REAR DOORS OPENED AND CLOSED LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. Had I been in any other car I might not be typing this....

[@renestarr5592]

Love Volvo

[@hwe6554]

Sounds terrible, glad you survive!

[@dandare1001]

I bought a 1971 144s in the late 80s for 200 Pounds. I still have it. Amazing quality.

[@51WCDodge]

Years agao a guy I used to work for was in a Volvo as a passenger doing 70 mph when an artic and trailer pulled out in front of them. Again the report was any other vehicle they would both have been dead. The downside is a Volvo estate with the old 6 cylinder engine. Can't rememebr the model now, with a Rice Farmers hunt horse trailer just over 3/4 ton (18cwt) unladen with two big horses. Going along the M4, hum, why is the transmission getting warm? Could be because I was doing 110 mph. The vehicle wasn't even straining. I slowed down veeery gently, no drama and continued at avery sober 50 mph.

[@patrickbrookings]

Oh this sure brings back memories. My parents got a 244 back in 1974, it was a brand new model back then. And it was bright orange, haha, so 70's. I was only 4 years old at the time. But I learnt to drive with that car and drove it for quite a few years myself. They had it for more than 25 years, then changed to an S40. That was really nice to drive too, but that 244 will always have a special place in my heart

[@mikecreasy4141]

I have a 1965 122s (currently being refurbished), a 1970 145 bought in 1993 and driven round trip to Fairbanks Alaska from central Texas, a 1974 145 bought in Fairbanks Alaska and driven to central Texas in 1988, a 1993 240 bought new and a 1992 940. I perform all of the repairs; never once have they been to the dealer for anything. When my other non Volvo cars won't start, the real Volvos are always ready to run. Like the advertising of the time, drive a Volvo like you hate it. They are tough.

[@edgaro8905]

1971 Volvo 144E, 81 245DL, 84 245T, 89 744, 89 244DL, 91 945T, now have 2003 V70 XC cross country.

[@bignick45]

Grew up in a 85 Volvo 240 DL wagon. When the parents let me have it in highschool we called it the Shaggin Wagon. If that car could talk. Many e-brake turns, j-turns and a couple Dukes of Harzard jumps and it still drives today.

[@basstrammel1322]

I've reached 37 years of age, and now my desire for a 240 wagon has popped in from nowhere. I love the looks of it, the interior, the way it drives, how it sounds, and all the rest. My uncle sold his original one for $1200 without me knowing, and it broke my heart. There's one driving around in my town, but other than that I never see them anymore.

[@BobZed]

Kinda bummed there is no mention of the 1970's Volvo 1800ES wagon. Such a cool car.

[@mikehughes727]

I agree, my first new car was a yellow '73 1800ES, "The Yellow Submarine" - best car I ever owned and the only one I've ever sold that I'd buy back again.

[@harrisonmccallum5357]

the back of the c30 looks similar

[@duran33333]

in 1985, i bought a 1983 Volvo 240 GLT, and since then, I fell in love with the brand, now, I have 2 in my garage, a 1984 240 GL and a 1996 960 3.0. Both are beautiful and enjoyable to drive.

[@mustangboss1246]

i have a 94 850 t5 station wagon... people think its slow. but then they get a surprise.... haha

[@TheCodeTinkerer]

The original sleeper :D

[@donaldmagnuson799]

Had a T5R wagon, miss it.

[@aidy6000]

Built as a Homoglation special for Touring Car Racing. The 1st Estate/wagon to compete in saloon/sedan car racing and the last until the Subaru Legacy in 2017

[@mohis5664]

95 t5r here :D

[@51WCDodge]

@@aidy6000 The reason they stopped racing them was that the saloon car racers were whining about being beaten all the time.

[@lukasreineborg]

10:30 who knew Captain America worked at Volvo

[@mattikaki]

I have had 7 Volvos and now I have 960 II -97 which is one of the last rear wheel drive Volvos. In spite of that it has very good winter handling because of Multi-Link system. It was the most expensive Volvo for 350 000 FIM which is approx 90 000 € in todays currency. So far no rust and it really is nice car to drive. Much easier to handle than most todays cars. And what’s important to me, is easy DIY-maintenance because everything is so clear and precise. So far I have done everything myself. Well, some spares are very expensive as this is the top model but it gives a smooth run. I have bought some used spares from Sweden because this is quite popuar there. My earlier cars were Saabs but none of them was very reliable and all of them were very prone to rust everywhere. Like Mercedes Benz does.

[@Old_school02]

I have a 2000 Volvo S 80 sedan that my dad bought me as a first car and it’s an absolutely astounding vehicle I would definitely recommend. What’s funny is that my dad loves the car so much he wants one of his own now😂

[@67daltonknox]

One P1800 famously lasted 3,200,000 miles with its original owner. They were bullet proof in those days, unlike the modern offerings.

[@adamv242]

I've always loved Volvos.. I've driven 740s, 850s, and my daily is an S40. LOVE these cars.

[@240pixel]

Still driving 30 year old Volvo 340 Diesel. Runs like a champ!

[@samsonian]

The Amazon (124, I think for the American market) is still one of my favorite cars. It is such a timeless design and I still want one.

[@davidpetherick8059]

I've had 12 Volvos since 1968. The first being a 122s in Scotland. Had three of these, before owning two 240's, 245 Dl, 740, two 850's, V40, and two S40's. Still driving a very quick S40 a Turbo today.

[@VinnyDaQ]

I would LOVE to own a pristine P1800...what a gorgeous car !!

[@flyingmerkel6]

Still looks good

[@kennyscott1089]

VinnyDaQ they are for sure.

[@georgeminnit7645]

VinnyDaQ Lat€ Very Great he'S the Man SIr RoGer More who Put hIS autoGraPh On NG Channel Car SOS Volvo P18OO

[@whackamolechamp]

My father has an 73 1800ES in excellent shape. It's a real head turner even in So Ca. Such a fun car to drive though, especially on mountain roads. These are very sturdy well built cars. Hope you get to have one Viiny!

[@LynxStarAuto]

Sex on wheels

[@sufianosman692]

I take Volvo over any other car in the world.

[@Pfsif]

Under Warrantee I'm sure.

[@PopescuSorin]

Tesla are probably safer...

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

I drive a Volvo myself. Great car.

[@mp-gt9hf]

Soy un tío importante,tengo un Volvo sw......

[@DanielField2023]

I prefered Subaru no match to Japanese.

[@vmat1000]

This is nice. I was a kid of 6 or 7 ('61) and neighbors moved next door. They had the first Volvo i'd ever seen, a white p44 (?). Anyways, a round back. Family 's driven this brand for nearly 20 years.

[@ambienteterrazas]

My dad loved volvos, he had plenty in the 2000's, i now have the last one he owned, an 04 Volvo S40, currently at 216,400 miles and still running strong, i dont know about modern Volvos but the old ones are built like a tank...

[@weedmastersr]

I have a 1997 Volvo V40 with 200,000 miles that is still going strong. I bought it for $1000 three years ago and it's been ridiculously reliable. Never skips a beat.

[@rext8949]

What calibre shell does it fire?

[@willieobermann5305]

This is a fantastic video of Volvo's history. You've made me a new subscriber. Thank you for your channel. It is good!!!

[@samuelzarcone2160]

I currently own a 1995 Volvo 850 turbo...it's 25 years old and has zero rust on it and still has the original exhaust system on it...it's built like a tank

[@contemporarymonk]

Bought a 2001 V40 because it was cheap and had lots of space inside. Was involved in a serious accident on a dual carriage way. Absolutely sure that that car saved my life. After went out and bought a 2004 v70, still have it, needs a new gearbox, car has 520k miles on the clock. Now also have a 2007 XC70 with only 120k miles. I honestly think that these cars are the best all rounders! Oh and the front seats! Oh my, they are so comfortable.

[@sexymommakat]

I'm new to the volvo family owner of a 2017 xc90 and I absolutely love this vehicle, I will only buy volvo from now on. Thank you volvo. 😊

[@russellloomis4376]

PV444 the little car that looks like a big ford. My Aunt had a 120 that thing went anywhere. Good car.

[@jking4020]

I'm pretty sure it was the V70 XC that was officially the first SUV. Not to mention the most badass wagon out there!

[@rodanderson1922]

I own a 2004 Volvo V50 T5, which is a fantastic car. It's fast, comfortable handles well, safe, and a pleasure to drive. A friend of mine has a Lexus 300, which is a Very Nice car, and which I have driven several times, yet, like me, he prefers driving my Volvo. I will be looking to update my car soon, with another Volvo of course.

[@rcpmac]

the V50 is based on second-generation Ford Focus architecture

[@denztingz]

@@rcpmac is it a bad thing to start? Planning to own one

[@ruzzelladrian907]

14:08 Beautiful cars. 😍

[@briangarrow448]

I've owned 6 Volvo's in my driving life. Wish I had kept them all!

[@romanbachler4853]

We have a 06 V70 2.5T, it has currently 120k on it and the only things that broke after all this time was a wheel bearing this summer. Great car and with a lot of comforts. It needs quite a lot of fuel though but hey you can force the automatic to stay in 4 and 5 gear which brings the fuel consumption to 8L per 100km

[@stevetobin7495]

Had an s80 for a couple of years and i loved it -

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

My Cousin owned a P-1800 back in the late 70's... It was already old then, had 385,000 miles on it!! Ran great too! Sold in in 84 as just another old used Car..... If she only KNEW! 😲😲

[@sunsetrider45]

I swapped a BMW M21 2.4 (maybe 2.5, its a long time ago) diesel engine into a 244DL with my neighbor when I was 14 after the Volvo engine blew due to a lack of oil (torn oil pan, that's what it takes), good memories. He would have preferred the Volvo replacement but the M21 was cheap and fit really well too. Couldn't imagine that today with how bad BMW engines are once they have a few miles on them.

[@geoffdundee]

my favourite volvo ive owned was a paris blue 480es auto....ive had many many volvos over the years and currently drive a volvo v40 D4...fabby MPG.

[@0e32]

I have 2 Volvo 940 1992 and 1995 in mint conditions with low miles on the meter. They are rare these days in Sweden and not for sale.

[@gustavosantillan5242]

12:41 one of the best ideas of the automobile industry

[@trwsandford]

did anyone notice that there are bunch of hot blond Swedish women working at the Volvo factory?

[@LynxStarAuto]

Not surprising in the slightest. Sweden has always been pro-woman.

[@myMotoring]

10:26 I'm in love

[@jaybee2344]

These are natural blondes too!

[@roba8632]

Oooh yes I did

[@user-mv6he6gl8m]

@inthepocket They tend to look that way in Scandinavia, maybe you should visit:)

[@mkshffr4936]

I am a huge Volvo fan but only the RWD models. I loved their simplicity and durability.

[@thetreblerebel]

I had a 1985 740 once, I really wish had kept it, and made it into a fun hobby car. What I know now, the platform is great for engine swaps and street/track suspension upgrades. I'd love to have it now that I know what I'm doing with a car..

[@cibimbox9195]

850 T5-R

[@CallmeRogerRoger]

I own a 1967 1800S and love it. While it's true that it was chosen over the XKE for "The Saint", it wasn't because Roger Moore loved it's looks. Jaguar wouldn't give the production company free XKE's (mistake), but Volvo would. Because of the UK assembly, it was considered a "British" car by the producers.

[@rjscott6116]

Another misrepresentation of facts. This episode dropped the ball, speaking a couple falsehoods as facts. Sad because people use shows like these as a reference.

[@joeminoso1554]

Great 👍 video 📹

[@constitutionfst]

I've owned six Volvos. Without a doubt my favorite was my1967-1/2 144S. It was the first year of production of the 140 series, 4-wheel disc brakes, 5-sp overdrive, limited slip diff,. in Arctic White (a blueish white) I drove it to 383,000 miles before we sold it off. The buyer brought in down to South America, where I assume it still is today. I Didn't care for the newer 240 models, even with the more powerful FI engines, they felt heavy and sluggish in the twisties, they lost that light-weight seat of the pants feel of the earlier models.

[@joecostner1246]

i used to drive a volvo 960 wentworth, 2.0 l petrol, all leather seats, a lot of space, nice and comfortable. i never had any action in it though

[@myMotoring]

10:26 love at the first sight

[@jayg1438]

@6:40 this hurts my soul. I love the DeSoto Airflow.... What a beautiful car..

[@abdu1989]

I want a Volvo now...

[@nojman89]

Great video but one thing that was actually wrong was that the Volvo 850 was Volvo’s first front wheel driven car. Volvo had a model called Volvo 480 that was prior to the 850 and that was the first Volvo with front wheel drive. It wasn’t that popular back then but has become a classic for enthusiasts. The 480 had a lot of new technology for the time it was launched. The Volvo C30 is sort of a modern interpretation of the 480 model.

[@LynxStarAuto]

Correct

[@jasontroy4723]

I had a Volvo s80 t6 . Not a huge fan of Volvo but the s80 was fast being twin turbo 2.8 ltr 6 sp . The finish inside was outstanding . I sold it as it was very expensive to service / parts . Cost me more to maintain then my merc . Shame

[@billolsen4360]

Yes, they couldn't have built such a strong vehicle without that reliable Swedish steel. Too bad they're no longer producing their reliable straight-6.

[@FriendlyIntentions]

lol what? U mean Inline 5

[@davidhoekje7842]

They did have a straight six which was a great engine. Maybe not as legendary as the B230 inline 4 but the 6 had torque to spare and was a wonderful highway cruiser. The V-6 had mixed reviews, but I had one for 250,000 miles and it was rock solid for me. The same engine that Delorian used.

[@DenisKz]

12:45 he saw an opportunity and he took it.

[@mercdoctor]

Not a car man ,more into vans and trucks ,but my car is a Volvo...Always had one about me ....SAFE ....

[@servicarrider]

I don't know how well I'd be able to concentrate on the job in that Volvo factory.

[@Doivid_]

I drive an XC70 and love it!

[@digitalkoh]

12:46... I bet he enjoys his job! Imagine if Volvo invented 4 point seatbelt... 😁

[@robertwatson3962]

I've owned three Volvos B18 Sport, 240, and now a c30, t5, 6 speed manual stick shift, coupe. I believe the modern version of a 1800 es. Honest cars.

[@Periquitodecassiamg]

Parabéns joinha done lindo trabalho

[@Yan-ww2gd]

what is the background music at the end of this video ?

[@tazkrebbeks3391]

My favorite had always been the P1800.

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Volvo is known for it*s safety, reliability, it was the first one to offer laminated glass, three point seatbelt, then comes a security device protecting all the people inside the car, then those famous crash tests, to see how strong those cars are, eventually more safety features were filled, and some other car makers took note of that to make their cars also safe, Volvo for life,👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽💪💪💪💪

[@MrBillcale]

13 1/2 years? thats one hell of a tough product

[@kendexter]

turned out that they lasted 30++ years if not rusted away

[@johnnymason2460]

This is the story of Volvo who then and now make the greatest automotive tanks in the world! I call every Volvo a tank because they are among the safest vehicles ever! A Volvo 240 would be a great first car! A first-generation S40 sedan and V40 wagon is certainly on my list as well as an XC90 crossover (especially one with a V8)!

[@colinp2238]

There is a misinterpretation in this video, Volvo did not win over Jaguar with the Saint but when the producers of the show approached Jaguar to supply cars for the role they refused and Volvo saw their chance of increasing the profile of their cars and provided vehicles (gratis). Jaguar realised their mistake and in the 70s when the show was revived using a different cast Jaguar leapt at the chance to supply their XJS models.

[@fontheking5]

The V6 engine was not used in the 240 model, it was used in the higher end 260 model series, and the later 760 series. The first front wheel drive Volvo model was the 400 series, with 440-460 and 480 models, but they was not sold in America.

[@DualShockTree]

fontheking5 i thought the 440 and 460 were FWD and the 480 was RWD?

[@TTURBOVOLVO]

It was used in the 240 GLT6, a rare model. Not too common but it was used.

[@carljohansson945]

The 240 GLT6 had it.

[@TTURBOVOLVO]

I just said that?!

[@nini_stols]

The engine in the 400 series was a Renault engine. But the 850's engine was Volvo's first front wheel drive made by themselves.

[@JohnJohansen2]

My second car was a 142, with the B20 engine. It was actually fast for its time, with acceptable acceleration. We used to say, that the 142 stod for 1 car, 4 wheels and 2 doors. 😉

[@JohnJohansen2]

@MrGoldo I believe that's correct.

[@jeffreyreardon7487]

What letter suffix was your B20?

[@philanderson9386]

I had a couple of 245's and they were virtual sports cars, when compared to the Japanese cars I sold my 64 1/2 Mustang to buy the first at my wifes insistence.

[@johnnymason3265]

Volvos are the safest cars in the world! I call every Volvo (past, present, and future) a tank! They are just as safe as tanks!!!

[@touraneindanke]

Roger Moore at the start of his career drove and paid for his own P1800 during the series ‘The ‘Saint’....and after that🍀 Later on the cars he drove in movie’s where gladly provided by several manufacturers. ❤

[@Helperbot-2000]

we've got an Amazon 121, Volvo MB 2250, Volvo 940, and a V70 :)

[@tomaslopez9642]

Like the saying, Volvo, made for life, these cars are made for life,they are some strong cars body wise, engine wise.

[@brentdallyn8459]

Volvo has the hottest girls working in their factories

[@stevenwilliams9812]

I'm not the only one

[@hotroddaddy-et4xg]

they kept the ugly ones off camera behind closed doors...

[@Thecougar66]

Slightly different to the little fat bald blokes in the Austin Rover factory, who had a tea and pie break every 20 minutes....

[@honestbutugly]

was about to say the same thing!! Would be a distracted employee.

[@samsonian]

Not a huge surprise considering Sweden is the hot nordic woman factory; with smaller satellite factories in Finland, Norway and Denmark. Iceland has a prototype R&D center but tend to generate women capable of breaking all but Icelandic men in half...with at least 5 parts of their body. ;-x

[@sverduijn1]

Glad to see that my Volvo Amazon is a truly safe car.

[@kurtsoderberg]

Drive safe.

[@chrisj197438]

Love my 740

[@tomashton1781]

the P 1800 front end suspension and steering was a copy of the fiat 1500 roadster , same designer did Jag bodies (Pinin Farinina?) the bigger push rod engines fit right in,

[@rjanbrathenbarholt.5417]

Ov retro rod ?

[@louisruiz6304]

Had a 2011 Volvo C30. Loved it but was not made well. U could push the windshield with your hand. Scary...

[@jaybee2344]

I own a 2001 S80 non turbo I bought in 2005. Then in April of 2019 I bought a 2009 C70 with only 66,000 on it. Its a very much unappreciated by the Volvo Fan Boys. But I love my Volvo because it has unique styling by Pininifarinia.

[@virian2010]

Good Music!

[@kino266]

6:06 song name ?

[@philipl1109]

Not one mention of the Volvo 2.4 Lt. I5. Best car I ever owned was my 2003 S60. It is still on the road, I gave it to my brother last year when I got a new car and now it is his daily driver. With China owning Volvo I did not get another Volvo :-(

[@__-fm5qv]

The "chinese" volvos are still good cars though. The only concern I have with them is how long lasting the engines will be with the twin charging. The lower trim versions of the engine should be reliable though I think, after all its the same engine as the ones with all the boost but without the boost. So theoretically its easily strong enough to endure the fewer hp for a long period.

[@ericsartanahorner]

I love my 1993 850, built like a tank. Except for interior plastic's haha... :)

[@priushy5321]

Eric Sartana same as mine

[@ricky107_]

volvo FTW!

[@alexanderrosales7675]

The Volvo symbol isn't the god Vulcan, its the god Mars which is the male symbol and the symbol for iron.

[@joecostner1246]

it's the international symbol of the erect ... .

[@frankgarrett242]

Erect wiener.

[@RogueVigilante]

I feel like I am supposed to move to Sweden now or at least take a trip.

[@weedmastersr]

Sadly the Sweden you saw in this video no longer exists. About 30% of the population are actually foreigners and in a few decades native Swedes will be a minority in their own country. This bought changes that made the country much worse, more unsafe. In fact, just recently, Volvo's CEO said the company might move from Sweden if they issues with criminality and other societal problems do not improve.

[@linuxog2829]

@@weedmastersr its our damn leader stefan löfen who brought all those people to our country and let us stay here. and volvo is no longer swedish, some chinese company bought it

[@weedmastersr]

@@linuxog2829 That is true. It's very sad. I have nothing against Chinese or anyone else, but I think every country should maintain its identity. Volvo was great because it was Swedish. I loved Sweden and the Swedish people so much, especially their creations. But the way things are going, soon Sweden will no longer have any relation to the Sweden of the past that was so loved worldwide.

[@frankgarrett242]

Soon it’ll be the Islamic republic of Sweden.

[@Dinstyvmorsa8539]

@@weedmastersr Wtf are you high on? Do you even live here?

[@GPOTOM]

Good story but would have been nice to have had a mention of the work with DAF that led to the 300 and 400 series.

[@NorthernChev]

Volvo's starting philosophy, "Making changes only for the sake of improvements. Not merely for the sake of change...". John DeLorean, Vice President of General Motors in the late 1960s, later used that exact same philosophy in the production of his own motor car the DeLorean DMC-12. He quotes this numerous times in two of his books. Coincidentally, DMC later used many Volvo parts in the production of the DMC-12.

[@barryervin8536]

The DeLorean car philosophy couldn't be farther apart from Volvo's. The whole thing was poorly designed purely for looks and gimmicks. Function was almost non-existent. Under the sheet metal it was a collection of parts from many other cars. The PVR V-6 engine was a gutless boat anchor in every car it was used in, and I had the dubious honor of working on all of them. John D. may have used those words in his sales hype, but he didn't mean it. He was a con man from the start.

[@NorthernChev]

Barry Ervin Wow, someone thinks they know the history of JDZ, but are sadly misinformed. You should read some of the books about him from himself and or other authors. None of whom portray him as anything but ethical. One book, written by one of his VPs writes a scathing report about the quality of the first DeLoreans to roll off the line and about some questionable decisions after things started going bad, but no one, except those uneducated about the facts surrounding him say anything but decent things.

[@barryervin8536]

I was mechanic at a BMW/Peugeot/DeLorean dealership back in the 80s, so it's probably safe to say that I know more about DeLoreans than the average person who's just seen one in a silly movie. It wasn't just the first cars off the line that had poor quality, it was every one of them. The car was a total POS in every way, starting with the questionable initial design and shoddily built using cheap parts from all sorts of other cars. The whole thing was a gimmicky, poor performing, poor handling, unreliable turd, sold to gullible people who were impressed by the stainless steel finish and the impractical and troublesome gull wing doors. The "ethical" Mr. DeLorean walked away and left the investors, the dealers, the employees, the vendors and the British government high and dry. Then there was the little episode where he was filmed in a hotel room selling a suitcase full of cocaine to undercover cops. He may have managed to get away with it but there's no doubt he did it. Is this the same "ethical" John DeLorean you are talking about? Then he was moaning about how he was totally wiped out and impoverished, and a week later went on a month long vacation to the French Riviera. Don't believe everything you read in books written by con men or their friends. I read a book by Adolf Hitler that made him sound like a saint.

[@NorthernChev]

Barry Ervin Irrelevant the conversation, the philosophy was still the same as stated.

[@barryervin8536]

But the philosophy was not the same, if anything it was exactly the opposite. John just said it was the same but that's what salespeople do, they say things. Volvo made constant improvements in their cars that were functional but not usually obvious. The DeLorean car from it's inception was entirely designed around what it looked like. It's almost as if the car were designed as a movie prop. The gull wing doors and the stainless steel body were there specifically to impress people who saw it, not because they really made the car better. The gull wing doors were cumbersome and the windows didn't fully open and they were always broken. Try paying your toll on the highway with gull wing doors and that tiny little opening in the window that usually didn't work. We always had a at least one DeLorean in the shop with the doors or windows being worked on. The stainless steel body panels looked cool but were almost impossible to repair if damaged. Several of our customers ended up having their cars painted because of that. Underneath the car, where your envious neighbors couldn't see it, what little structure there was rusted worse than the average car and we had 2 cars that actually broke in the firewall area after hitting a pot hole because it was just spot welded sheet metal. As for the rear engine design, I can guarantee you that Volvo would never dream of building a car with the engine hanging out behind the rear wheels. Originally it was intended to be mid engine but that was determined to be too expensive. Lotus was paid to design the suspension but their design was determined to be too expensive so cheap off the shelf parts from other cars were used instead. They still put Lotus badges on the cars though until Lotus made them take them off. I worked on and drove these cars for years and I don't see how that makes me "uninformed" about them. It's people who only know what they look like and saw one in a science fiction movie who are uninformed. Saying John D. was ethical or his car was good is like saying John Lennon was a really nice guy because he wrote song lyrics about peace and love, while actually having a serious personality disorder and being a total asshole to everyone he met.

[@lindisfarnemusic]

Volvo's first front wheel drive car was not the 850 but the 480 that came out in 1986.

[@gunslinger2172]

I love this opening tune does anybody knows what it is and who made it?

[@KingRoseArchives]

It was created by the musicians I hired for this series.

[@losdos8286]

Sounds like the musicians may have "borrowed" that idea.... It's The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z53cpmSBgNx2bZY

[@rext8949]

Great car with Swedish reliability and safety. Now owned by Geely Motors China.

[@peterwong2142]

my 1988 740 still speed down the streets, 118HP makes going up hill little slow.

[@jonasthemovie]

No mention of the P1900?

[@Suzuk1r1der]

AYY Australians had fords in the 1920s we used to have our own Fords made in Australia

[@kokos742]

Also ... notice that in Simpsons all cars are neutral any-cars ... except when it is Volvo to add character to someone new :D

[@bySmarty]

Crazy they have the 2020 XC90 now

[@mikeables]

4:59 Wow