Facebook
Twitter
Description
“T-Gul” became the nickname for the Volvo 850 T-5R, even though the model was also produced in black and green—and it’s precisely this limited color range that makes this car so special.
In the autumn of 1994, the Volvo importer in Saudi Arabia placed its order for the 1995 model year, with an allocation estimated at 300–400 cars. However, the importer had a specific request—three T-5Rs in color code 214, a grey metallic shade mainly seen on the 240 and 740, were to be specially built. This was something that was, in principle, not supposed to be possible.
Volvo’s then heritage manager confirmed in correspondence in 2016 that the car was manufactured on November 30, 1994. When he contacted Thomas Lindskog, one of those responsible for the 850 series, he was told that the three grey cars had “slipped under the radar, perhaps special-ordered via Special Vehicles… Someone found a loophole.”
About a year after the cars were built, a Swedish man living in Saudi Arabia spotted them at a Volvo dealership. He purchased this particular car, which was later brought to Sweden as part of his household relocation in 1998. Two years later, it was sold by Solna Auktionsverk to a man in Stockholm, who used it as a daily driver for many years. He kept a meticulous logbook of all work carried out on the car, including every refueling.
In 2015, the car was sold to a new owner in Finland, but after just a year it was imported back to Sweden, where it found its current owner. He is a collector of special 850 T-5R models, several of which are now being offered in this auction.
This is the only surviving example of the three grey metallic 850 T-5Rs built. With just over 300,000 km on the odometer, signs of use are visible up close, but overall it remains a very well-presented T-5R. What’s needed is a major service, including a timing belt replacement. Given the car’s unique history in terms of its color, the best approach may be to touch up areas where needed while preserving the original paint.
Two sets of keys are included, along with the service book.
In the autumn of 1994, the Volvo importer in Saudi Arabia placed its order for the 1995 model year, with an allocation estimated at 300–400 cars. However, the importer had a specific request—three T-5Rs in color code 214, a grey metallic shade mainly seen on the 240 and 740, were to be specially built. This was something that was, in principle, not supposed to be possible.
Volvo’s then heritage manager confirmed in correspondence in 2016 that the car was manufactured on November 30, 1994. When he contacted Thomas Lindskog, one of those responsible for the 850 series, he was told that the three grey cars had “slipped under the radar, perhaps special-ordered via Special Vehicles… Someone found a loophole.”
About a year after the cars were built, a Swedish man living in Saudi Arabia spotted them at a Volvo dealership. He purchased this particular car, which was later brought to Sweden as part of his household relocation in 1998. Two years later, it was sold by Solna Auktionsverk to a man in Stockholm, who used it as a daily driver for many years. He kept a meticulous logbook of all work carried out on the car, including every refueling.
In 2015, the car was sold to a new owner in Finland, but after just a year it was imported back to Sweden, where it found its current owner. He is a collector of special 850 T-5R models, several of which are now being offered in this auction.
This is the only surviving example of the three grey metallic 850 T-5Rs built. With just over 300,000 km on the odometer, signs of use are visible up close, but overall it remains a very well-presented T-5R. What’s needed is a major service, including a timing belt replacement. Given the car’s unique history in terms of its color, the best approach may be to touch up areas where needed while preserving the original paint.
Two sets of keys are included, along with the service book.
Free history (19)
Technical data
Year
1995/1995
Registration date
2018-06-05
Mileage
301872
Registration Number
RHO976
Chassis Number
YV1LS5806S2209546
Kw / hp
166 / 226
Fuel Type
Petrol
Transmission
Manual
Interior finish
Läder/imiterad mocka kallad amaretta.
Colour
Grey Metallic
Condition
-
Mechanical condition
Starts and runs well, both engine and gearbox. Vibrations can be felt in the steering wheel, which may be due to flat spots on the tires. The car has not been driven since 2018, and the timing belt was replaced in 2016. It received a new fuel pump last year. The air conditioning does not cool.
-
Interior condition
The interior is in good condition overall, with the exception of the loose driver’s floor mat, which is dirty. There is also a stain on the rear of the passenger-side headrest.
The door panels are in good condition, but appear to be slightly misfitted, as parts of the inner side are visible. The driver’s seat backrest has a few small holes. There is minor damage to the glove compartment trim.
The trunk carpet is somewhat dirty, and there is a large stain on the inside of the tailgate. -
Exterior condition
Presents well overall. The hood has a number of larger and smaller stone chips. Minor dents and rust damage are present, including on the rear wheel arches and the lower rear quarter panels. There is also a small dent on the rear panel above the bumper, which has some paint wear.
-
General condition
A very special car that, despite minor exterior imperfections, gives a solid overall impression. The primary need is a major service, including a timing belt replacement—beyond that, it is up to the new owner to decide what, if anything, should be done.
MOT (tech. insp.)
Fordonsstatus: Avst 2018-06-12
Ursprungsbesiktning: 2016-06-20 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 2018-06-05 (950101)
Senast godkända besiktning: 2018-06-05
Besiktigad tom: 2019-08-31
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Ja
Antal ägare: 3
Ursprungsbesiktning: 2016-06-20 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 2018-06-05 (950101)
Senast godkända besiktning: 2018-06-05
Besiktigad tom: 2019-08-31
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Ja
Antal ägare: 3
Facts about the model
At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1994, the “850 Plus 5” was unveiled as a concept car that might enter production. It featured an integrated front spoiler, side skirts, a chassis lowered by 22 mm, and 17-inch wheels called Titan from the accessories range. The interior combined leather with an imitation suede known as Amaretta.
With 240 hp, what became the 850 T-5R was Volvo’s most powerful model to date. The increase from 225 hp in the standard turbo model was achieved by allowing higher boost pressure for a limited time via the engine management system. And then there was the color—Créme Yellow—which truly set the model apart.
The model received widespread praise in the motoring press: Vi Bilägare ran the headline “Everyone’s turned on by T-Gul,” while Teknikens Värld featured it on the cover as “Volvo’s new supercar.” Some within Volvo had been concerned that the limited run of 2,500 T-5Rs might be difficult to sell, as they cost 100,000 SEK more than a standard 850 Turbo. However, even before production began in October, the order book was full.
As a result, a series of black T-5R models was also produced. By early January 1995, 2,537 yellow and 2,516 black T-5R cars had been sold. Volvo had promised that the colors would be produced in limited numbers, so a third series of 850 T-5R was introduced in an olive green metallic shade. It was not officially sold in Sweden, and 1,911 green cars were produced.
After that, no more T-5R models were made. For the 1996 model year, the 250 hp 850 R was introduced as a regular production model.
With 240 hp, what became the 850 T-5R was Volvo’s most powerful model to date. The increase from 225 hp in the standard turbo model was achieved by allowing higher boost pressure for a limited time via the engine management system. And then there was the color—Créme Yellow—which truly set the model apart.
The model received widespread praise in the motoring press: Vi Bilägare ran the headline “Everyone’s turned on by T-Gul,” while Teknikens Värld featured it on the cover as “Volvo’s new supercar.” Some within Volvo had been concerned that the limited run of 2,500 T-5Rs might be difficult to sell, as they cost 100,000 SEK more than a standard 850 Turbo. However, even before production began in October, the order book was full.
As a result, a series of black T-5R models was also produced. By early January 1995, 2,537 yellow and 2,516 black T-5R cars had been sold. Volvo had promised that the colors would be produced in limited numbers, so a third series of 850 T-5R was introduced in an olive green metallic shade. It was not officially sold in Sweden, and 1,911 green cars were produced.
After that, no more T-5R models were made. For the 1996 model year, the 250 hp 850 R was introduced as a regular production model.
Location and viewing Information
Location: Växjö
For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:
Fredrik Nyblad
+46 703187844
fredrik.nyblad@bilwebauctions.se
For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:
Fredrik Nyblad
+46 703187844
fredrik.nyblad@bilwebauctions.se
Pick up
Collection must take place before: 2026-05-20.
NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.
NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.
Auction information
General information about the condition of the vehicles .
- At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
- During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
- Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
- When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
- If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
- If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
- Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
- For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.