Graham Silverton is the proud owner of a white Volvo 145 - Lorne CampbellWhat did the late Roger Moore, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Paul Newman and astronaut Buzz Aldrin – happily still with us, aged 96 – have in common? Answer: they were all proud Volvo owners, smitten with their Swedish cars. As was American Irv Gordon, who clocked up more than three million miles in his 1800S, a Guinness World Record for the highest mileage in a privately owned vehicle.After releasing myriad models, all dependable, functional and tough as nails, it's clear Volvo knows how to make cars, especially load-lugging estates. Throw impeccable safety standards and longevity into the mix, and it's understandable why the Swedish manufacturer became renowned for this body style above all others.As Volvo builds towards its centenary next spring, a celebration of its best-loved estates isn't complete without the thoughts of their adoring owners.Volvo Duett (1953-1969)Mention the Duett to most people, even lovers of the Swedish brand, and you will probably be met with a blank stare. The company's foray into estates began with this early workhorse, so-called because Volvo envisaged a dual-purpose vehicle: a hardworking worker's van during the week and a family estate at weekends.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor years, independent bodybuilders snapped up Volvo's chassis and marketed their own vans. But, in early 1952, management decided to use up a surplus of chassis by making their own van-cum-estate. Within a year, the first of 90,000 Duetts took to the road, delivered to Assar Gabrielsson, the company's incumbent president.Registered nurse Mike Firn, 61, has a passion for all things Nordic, especially Finland, where he met his wife and discovered his Duett, which is a rarity in the UK. "I noticed it for sale while in Finland visiting our son at university. Like all petrol heads, I kept an eye on the local car scene and noticed this 1967 Duett for sale online," he said.The Duett first piqued Mike Firn's interest when he was in Finland"I plucked up the courage to tell my wife, who said: 'You can have classic motorbikes or classic cars, but not both.' She took some persuading but eventually agreed. While we flew home, a classic car dealer who handles exporting drove to the frozen north and inspected the vehicle. After giving it the all-clear, I paid €5,500 (£4,690) and it arrived at Harwich two weeks later."In the Nordic countries it was not only a family car but used by, among others, the post office, police, telecom and air force. Mine was probably owned by a family with a small business and once it became tired it was modified with flash wheels and exhaust. I've taken it back to its original state.AdvertisementAdvertisement"The car, with its old-school, ultra-reliable B20 engine, provides me with not only another link to Finland but more opportunities to fraternise with the classic car and Volvo Club community. This is a car I'll never sell."Volvo P220 Amazon (1962-1969)Named after the female warriors of Greek mythology, the Amazon – part of the 120 range – is, arguably, the quintessential Volvo estate. This tough, no-nonsense model was designed by 26-year-old Jan Wilsgaard and became the company's second post-war model.It featured the three-point seatbelt, a revolutionary idea invented by Volvo, which generously allowed other manufacturers to copy the design, free of charge. It's estimated that the safety restraint system has saved millions of lives.Nearly 700,000 Amazons were built and, importantly, the model broadened Volvo's appeal globally. Such was their popularity that about 60 per cent of Amazons were sold outside Sweden; even the late Colin Powell, the former US secretary of state, had an Amazon – albeit in need of urgent attention – presented to him by Bill Clinton and Al Gore.AdvertisementAdvertisementClassic car enthusiasts Simon Gill, 59, and his wife Jayne, 60, own a Volvo XC70 and XC90, but often favour their 1968 Amazon over its younger, hi-tech siblings.Simon Gill and his wife, Jayne, with their Volvo P220 Amazon - David Rose"She is more practical for our needs," explained HGV driver Simon. "We have a classic caravan so needed a strong car to pull it. Plus, we have two German shepherds, so needed an estate. Then we spotted Gracie, our Amazon, less than 30 miles from our home."She was in a terrible state. Paint was peeling, Ford Fiesta seats and a Rover steering wheel had been added. We changed everything back to its original features, although we went for a leather trim rather than vinyl. We wanted a big, practical, classic estate and the Amazon fits the bill perfectly."Volvo 145 (1967-1974)Offering its discerning owners oodles of space thanks to flat-folding back seats and an almost vertical-opening tailgate, the 145's boxy shape provided the template for a range of successful follow-ups. Dominating its market for years, the 145 was promoted as "elegant in appearance, comfortable on the inside, versatile and Volvo-safe".AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 140 series – comprising three models: the two-door 142, four-door 144 and the 145 estate – attracted admirers worldwide, including the North Koreans. In 1974, 1,000 144s were shipped to the secretive nation as part of a trade deal but, as yet, it appears the bill remains unpaid. It's believed some cars are still being used as taxis around Pyongyang.Graham Silverton, 63, searched high and low for a white 1974 Volvo 145 in memory of his late parents. "They had an identical car and I loved the look – it was certainly a step-up from their previous Renault 12," he said. "One feature which makes the 145 special is the energy-absorbing bumpers, initially designed for the North American market. This was the first Volvo to incorporate this feature."Finding a replica of my parents' car, even down to the same red trim, was a challenge, but very satisfying, especially when I sourced one in Scotland. Driving the 145 evokes memories of all those family trips when I was a moody teenager, including caravanning in Sweden and Spain. I probably wanted to stay home with my mates, and it's only as you get older that you realise just how special those days were."Despite it being 52 years old, my 145 is so comfortable. I drove to a Volvo show at the weekend, clocking up 380 miles. Cruising on the motorway at 65mph, the car was quiet and a pleasure to drive. Okay, there is no air con, but I just wind down the window and do the classic arm-out-of-the-window pose to keep cool."Silverton was inspired to buy a Volvo 145 as it was the same car his parents drove - Lorne CampbellVolvo 850 (1993-1996)Compliments were flying when the 850 launched, most notably from Italy where it was rated the world's most beautiful estate car. With its sleeker, sportier look than previous boxy efforts, the 850 created racing history in 1994 by becoming the first estate to enter the British Touring Car Championship.AdvertisementAdvertisementNearly 350,000 estates were made during four years of production, its many virtues included being the first mass-produced car to incorporate side-impact airbags.If it hadn't been for a hit-and-run in Berkshire, retired headteacher Dave Donaldson, 80, wouldn't be the proud owner of a 1996 850 estate. "I was turning right into a hotel car park when a vehicle, on the wrong side of the road, rammed into me," he said. "The occupants ran off because they were being chased by two police cars. Thankfully, the officers eventually apprehended them."The damage to my car – a Volvo 940, my pride and joy – was terminal so it was written off. If it had been anything other than a Volvo, I'm sure it would have crumpled and I wouldn't be here now."Dave Donaldson with his 1996 850 estate"The search for a replacement began. Googling 'Volvo classic estates', the first image to pop up was the 850, a model I'd never heard of. But as soon as I saw the car at the dealership, I fell in love with it. It was immaculate, as if having just left the showroom. After agreeing on £5,500, I drove it home.AdvertisementAdvertisement"It has many plus points, including an incredible turning circle and being very comfortable. It's like sitting in an armchair."Volvo Cars 1927-2025, edited by Andrew Anderson and issued by Amberley Publishing, is available at bookshops, online and via the Volvo Club website.Thanks to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby near Spilsby for allowing us to photograph the Volvo 145 next to its fully functional Lancaster and Mosquito aircraft.Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
+41 others
![Volvo, Volvo's new sedan breaks cover, but it may not be an EV [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wOC9Wb2x2by1z-ZWRhbi1FVi5qcGVnP3c9MTUwMCZhbXA7-cXVhbGl0eT04MiZhbXA7c3RyaXA9YWxs-JmFtcDtzc2w9MQ/3c9d3ce718be86eb44e5517d7d806df1.jpeg?t=20260825&post_id=52852)
![Volvo, Volvo's new sedan breaks cover, but it may not be an EV [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wOC9Wb2x2by1z-ZWRhbi1FVi0xLmpwZz9zdHJpcD1pbmZv-JmFtcDt3PTExOTcmYW1wO3NzbD0x/5822c56c41f9a1c97c2adf89a31a58b9.jpg?t=20260825&post_id=52852)
![Volvo, Volvo's new sedan breaks cover, but it may not be an EV [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wOC9Wb2x2by1z-ZWRhbi1FVi0zLmpwZz9zdHJpcD1pbmZv-JmFtcDt3PTExOTcmYW1wO3NzbD0x/271b90db5ef01b6d0c74d29d1abe65dd.jpg?t=20260825&post_id=52852)
![Volvo, Volvo's new sedan breaks cover, but it may not be an EV [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wOC9Wb2x2by1z-ZWRhbi1FVi0yLmpwZz9zdHJpcD1pbmZv-JmFtcDt3PTEyMDAmYW1wO3NzbD0x/1366ce1ca0cca505ba1a0dd7ee7fe810.jpg?t=20260825&post_id=52852)
![Volvo, Volvo's new sedan breaks cover, but it may not be an EV [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wOC9Wb2x2by1z-ZWRhbi1FVi01LmpwZz9zdHJpcD1pbmZv-JmFtcDt3PTEyMDAmYW1wO3NzbD0x/2a6a81c1b1a3f7bcbdf496240210eab1.jpg?t=20260825&post_id=52852)
![Volvo, Volvo's new sedan breaks cover, but it may not be an EV [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wOC9Wb2x2by1z-ZWRhbi1FVi00LmpwZz9zdHJpcD1pbmZv-JmFtcDt3PTEyMDAmYW1wO3NzbD0x/d5d052bebfd8cda8318a7c452143c3aa.jpg?t=20260825&post_id=52852)
