Yes, the rumors are true, Thorben's car has been lovingly restored with a few modifications here and there, barely made it to the big show and is now getting the final touches applied. Here's a teaser photo for the upcoming member car article.

My blue 1985 240GLE joined the family in early 2001 after dad Peter and I undertook a search for a clean and original 240 for me to take over from my 1976 244DL as a daily driver, thereby sparing the older 240 (which had become somewhat of a pampered "show car") from the elements and rigours of daily commuting.  I started with humble expectations, looking at a number of sub-standard earlier GL models on the market before spying this beauty in the paper one Saturday morning, billed as "immaculate" by the dealer seller and boasting the full complement of GLE features including alloys, sunroof and full electrics, all for a modest asking price.

My 1991 740 Wagon joined the family in early 2007 to meet the need for a daily driver with the added practicality of a wagon, a body style which we had never owned before.  After several demoralizing months of viewing sub-standard 240s on the used car market, I broadened my horizons and seized on this late model 700 when I saw it advertised locally, and I'm very glad I did.  This car was clearly a case of "first to see will buy" and although it had lost it's sheen somewhat after years as a domestic run-around with no less than five previous owners, I saw through the superficial dullness to a car with sound mechanicals, virtually unmarked interior, and original paintwork that would polish up to a near new standard of presentation.

Once in a while,  and probably once in my lifetime, a car so special comes along that it doesn’t lend itself easily to a brief summary in a space like this, and such is the difficulty I face in trying to put into words some thoughts about my first and favourite Volvo, my white 1976 244DL.  It’s now exactly 30 years since this car first graced our driveway, and here it remains as functional, reliable and dare I say beautiful as it always has been, even if it’s limited use and pampered existence these days is far from the many miles it once travelled and loads it once carried as a hard-working family car.  This anniversary seems like as good a time as any to pay tribute to “one of the best”.

Early 1968, I was interested in purchasing a 1963 Wolseley 444, as I was driving a 1963 Volkswagen 1500 station wagon at the time. I took a Wolseley for a test drive, and wasn’t overly impressed with it. I then needed to reconsider my choice and started thinking about a Volvo 122 station wagon. 

Peter Hoffmann's 1993 940GLE joined the family back in 1998 when Peter opted for the last of Volvo's four cylinder rear wheel drive offerings to finally replace his venerable 1976 244 of 19 years, the latter of which remains with us today in my faithful custody.  This 940 was decided upon after some months of searching for the right car which involved a frustratingly futile trip to NSW to view what turned out to be a sub-standard example at a time when the local second-hand market yielded too few 940s from which to choose, and Peter's brief called for a GLE model with leather interior and electric conveniences which further narrowed the possibilities.  After earlier knocking back an almost identical car on the basis of it's colour, Peter purchased this immaculate 940 and over the years has learned to live with if not love it's dark and unserviceable burgundy duco in spite of the fact that he would have loved a silver or champagne gold one!

Gudrun Hoffmann's Titanium Grey 2002 S40T came along in 2006 and is her first Volvo after 28 years of driving two successive Toyota Corollas. The Toyotas were rugged and reliable if not particularly inspiring workhorses which weathered the many years of shopping trips and school runs, so these days in "retirement" Gudrun doesn't know herself commuting around in a well-deserved and refined cocoon of leather and electric conveniences, not to mention turbo power!

I’ve always been intrigued by the shape of the 1800ES, as far back as the mid-1970’s when my parents purchased our first Volvo (1975 245DL, B20F) in Houston, Texas. I can recall seeing a yellow 1800ES in the dealership’s used car lot and thinking how great it looked in yellow. Fast forward to 1989, and I had just completed my bachelor’s degree and was starting my master’s, again back in Houston after moving all around the country during the previous 15 years. I got the bug for an 1800ES, and joined the Volvo Club of America, and Volvo Sports America, and the hunt was on.

I purchased the car some 5 years ago with 62900 kms and in very original condition and although not owned by a car fanatic it needed very little detailing to restore to a top condition.  am the 3rd owner. It has now travelled 105,000 kms on mainly interstate runs to National Rallies. I replaced the 80 model spoiler with a 79 version to allow a car bra to be fitted designed for a 79 model. The only other options are Volvo R Sport seat covers and a GT steering wheel.

I have recently purchased a 1999 C70 with only 60K on the clock and in-as-new condition. The C70 is a real head-turner. My vehicle is only used on the weekends but never fails to draw attention from the public.

 It is a 84 760GLE Turbo with straight 5 speed manual gearbox changed from manual overdrive some years ago by a previous owner.  It has lowered Pedders suspension and runs ROH 17" 3 piece wheels. It was converted to run on LPG in 1992 but was not successful and changed back to straight petrol by me. The car is a credit to its previous owner with respect to the condition for a car that has done over 300,000kms.

We bought the car when we relocated to Australia in 2000 as a daily driver for Wayne.  It was in great condition (5-speed, silver with charcoal interior - only issue is it is not a wagon!) but needed a little more oomph for overtaking and maintaining highway cruising speeds with the cruise control engaged.  I decided to fit a supercharger to it instead of retrofitting a B230FT engine as I thought I needed more of a challenge - wanted something a little different.

I bought this 1989 Volvo 240 DL from my Aunt - owner of multiple volvos after a major accident that left her in hospital for weeks. She bought the car as an ex-demo and it cam e with air-conditioning, M47 5 speed manual, tiny speakers in the front only and way too much chrome.