GOTHENBURG: To mark 90 years since the first car left its facility here on April 14, 1927, Volvo has decided to create a special stand for Techno Classica, the largest classic car show in the world, set to take place in Essen, Germany, between April 5-9.
The Swedish manufacturer is putting together a display that will include a number of landmark models from its illustrious history, but it will also take the opportunity to showcase its newest model too, the all-new XC60 crossover SUV that was only unveiled for the first time at the recent Geneva Auto Show.
The new, second-generation XC60 has some big shoes to fill after the original model — launched some nine years ago — went on to become the biggest-selling premium midsize SUV in Europe. Almost a million units of the original XC60 have now been sold worldwide, and the model now represents as much as 30 percent of Volvo’s entire global sales.
Six historic Volvo models will also feature at the show, including the PV654 (1934), PV444 (1957), 1800 S, 145 Estate (1968), the 262C and finally the 850 R.
These six models represent an excellent spread across Volvo’s history, from the PV600 series launched in 1929 just two years after the company started, to the 850 R, which was the high-performance take on the very successful Volvo 850 from as recent as 1996.
The 1800 S is perhaps the most iconic Volvo of them all though. Manufactured between 1961 and 1973, the P1800 starred as Simon Templar’s car in the hit 1960s TV series “The Saint,” and is now a highly sought-after and desirable classic among collectors.
Keyword: Volvo to celebrate 90th anniversary at Techno Classica