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Everyone, it seems, has a story involving a Volvo estate and now - as if to prove it - there’s a book on the subject; ‘The Volvo Estate Car - Design Icon and Faithful Companion’.
My own experience began - 50 years ago - being driven to school in a neighbour’s Amazon estate. I loved the squashy seats, strangely-styled interior; and being asked to jump up and down on the rear seat for more traction when we bogged down in snow. Probably not allowed, today...
Author Ashley Hollebone, in his introduction to this beautifully-designed and illustrated book, points out that the Volvo has become a household name, recognised globally as the definitive estate car.
He also points out that, mysteriously, it remains an unsung hero, less celebrated in book form than many of its contemporaries. Well, until now.
The hardback book traces the development of the Volvo estate from its origins (descended from early 20th century motorised wagons and brakes), to it most recent incarnation, the handsome V90.
The book also looks at the general history of this fine motor company, its founders, its ethos, and how it’s marketed its cars over the years.
As someone who’s travelled in many - and driven most - Volvo estates over the past three decades, I find it an accurate and engaging, but also illuminating book that ably celebrates this marque, known not just for its proud ‘workhorse’ tradition, but for taking an important lead in safety, too.
Final chapter goes - of course - to the splendid V90 model, which looks impossibly rakish for an estate. Or as Hollebone concludes, “this combination of luxurious Scandinavian refinement and high speed technology encapsulated in the most sophisticated Volvo estate car to date”.
Long live the Volvo estate!
The Volvo Estate Car - Design Icon and Faithful Companion by Ashley Hollebone (Veloce, £19.99) buy it now.
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