1985, The Flying Brick, Volvo and ETC/DTM, four sets of words that showed the world that Volvo was the best.

1985 was a golden year for Volvo in motor sport.  “The flying brick” - the Volvo 240 Turbo - won the European Touring Car Championship (ETC) and the German equivalent, the Deutsche Touringwagen Meisterschaft (DTM).

When Volvo launched its 240 family car in 1981 with a turbo engine, it opened up a whole new market for the company. It demonstrated that Volvo was capable not only of building safe, durable cars, but that they could also be fast and fun to drive.  With turbocharging, the robust B21ET 2.1 litre engine generated 155 hp, which meant the 240 Turbo could do 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds and had a top speed of 195 km/h. The 240 Turbo Estate was the world’s fastest estate car.

In 1982, new international Group A regulations were introduced. Cars to be used in competition were to be taken directly from the assembly line and the number of modifications was to be limited.  In order to compete in line with the Group A regulations, at least 5000 cars of the model type in question had to be built each year. They had to have at least four seats and the minimum weight was related to the engine capacity. The regulations suited the Volvo 240 Turbo perfectly.

The regulations also required at least 500 so-called evolution cars to be built - which was why the 240 Turbo Evolution was created. In July 1983 the 500 cars were lined up for an inspection to ensure they were uniform - split across two fields in the USA, one on the west coast and one on the east coast. The cars had bigger turbos, modified engine control systems and Water Turbo Traction – which involved water injection into the intake, an invention developed and patented by Volvo.

1984 was the year in which the 240 Turbo began to compete for real in Group A racing. Volvo was responsible for the construction and ensuring that the required components were uniform. Competition was handled by independent teams. The first year’s dividend was two wins. Swedes Ulf Granberg and Robert L. Kvist won in the ETC event at Zolder in Belgium, while compatriot Per Stureson won at the German Norisring track in the first season of DTM.

Volvo’s focus expanded in 1985. Now two teams were contracted to operate as a factory team. These were intended not only to beat competitors such as Rover and BMW, but also to compete against each other.

The Swiss Eggenberger Motorsport team participated in ETC under the name of Volvo Dealer Team Europe. Their drivers were Swede Thomas Lindström, Sigi Müller Jr. from West Germany, Italian Gianfranco Brancatelli and Belgian Pierre Dieudonné. 

The other team in ETC was Sweden’s Magnum Racing. Ulf Granberg, Anders Olofsson and Ingvar Carlsson were their drivers.

In addition to this, IPS Motorsport competed in DTM. Per Stureson had been provided with a new, competitive car for the nascent season that offered more power and better handling.   Initially, competitors and audiences found it hard to take the blocky Volvos seriously. But “the flying bricks” would soon prove their competitive edge - despite lining up against cars with significantly bigger engines like the Rover 3500 V8 and the BMW 635.

The racing version of the Volvo 240 Turbo had aluminium cylinder heads and forged pistons, connecting rods and crankshafts. The injection used a custom-built Bosch K-jetronic system and the Garrett turbo charged up to 1.5 bar. The result was that the 2.1 litre engine was generating around 300 hp and gave the car a top speed of 260 km/h.

All detachable body parts such as the doors and bonnet were made from thinner metal than the production cars. The rear axle was six kilos lighter, the brakes had four piston callipers and ventilated discs. A rapid refuelling system made it possible to fill the car with 120 litres of high octane petrol in just 20 seconds. 

On 13 October 1985, following the race at the Estoril track in Portugal, it was all over. Volvo had won six out of 14 races and Lindström/Brancatelli had won the entire ETC series at a walk! What was more, Per Stureson won the German DTM championship after one victory and five podium finishes.

As if ETC and DTM were not enough, Volvo also won the touring car championships in Finland, Portugal and New Zealand in 1985. In addition to this, a right hand drive 240 Turbo won the Scottish rally championship in the same year.

The interest in Volvo’s Group A story in the 1980s has grown ahead of the 30th anniversary of the title victories in 1985. This includes celebrations that took place at the world’s biggest Volvo gathering - VROM - in Gothenburg in August.

Five Unique cars to go under the hammer at the Silverstone Auctions Salon Prive Sale on 4th September.

• Five unique cars – all from one meticulous collector – set to feature at this exclusive auction on 4 September offered with No Reserve
• Each classic is ultra-low mileage with huge specification and has arrived fresh from storage in Germany
• Collection includes a beautifully maintained 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280SE with 5,700km plus a 1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SLC with just 16,500km
• But star of the collection is a 1986 Porsche 911 Supersport which has travelled 743km since new

Silverstone Auctions’ most prestigious sale of the year at Salon Privé on 4 September features a dream line-up of rare cars – and a host of incredible low-mileage models from one unique collection have now bolstered it.

The star of the show is an as-new Porsche 911 Supersport, with just 743km on the clock – just one of five stunning cars to come from one very meticulous collector.

The owner has had all five since new in Germany and the vehicles - Lots 201 to 205 – have just arrived on UK shores. They will open proceedings at Salon Privé, presenting buyers with a unique opportunity to bid on these ultra-low mileage, left-hand-drive models from Mercedes-Benz, Daimler and Porsche.

First under the hammer is one of the most immaculate examples of the Mercedes-Benz 280SE ever seen. Given the model’s popularity during the 1980s, it is rare to find one with such little use; however, this particular model registered in 1985 has covered just 5,700km during its lifetime. 

All registration, service and maintenance work is documented, along with the original order form, and presents an ideal opportunity to own a unique ‘nearly-new’, 30-year-old car.

Like its saloon brethren, this Mercedes-Benz 560SEC was also an ‘80s icon and majored on luxury and style. 

This particular car was first registered in 1986 and supplied new to Germany where it covered a mere 38,000km. All original factory paperwork and service history verify the car’s excellent condition.

Supplied new in Germany in 1975, this rare manual Mercedes-Benz 280SLC has just 16,500km on the clock. 

As a result, this car boasts an immaculate red leather interior and unmarked white paintwork. A large history file containing all documentation for its entire 40-year history is included and offered without reserve.

An altogether different prospect is a 1988 Daimler Double Six Series III. Three standout highlights are central to the car’s appeal, including an individual specification Nardi steering wheel, a full respray in Metallic Blue and magnificent chrome wire wheels. 

This Daimler has travelled just 3,297km since new and the overall condition is impeccable. It’s surely one of the finest examples of the marque ever seen.

The star of this five-car collection is a near factory fresh 1986 Porsche 911 SuperSport with an astonishing 743km on the odometer. Silverstone Auctions is presenting a rare opportunity to own an impeccably well-maintained and practically brand new classic Porsche. A genuine collectors’ item offered without reserve.

These five examples form part of an exclusive 60-plus consignment of cars to be auctioned at the Salon Privé Sale on 4^th September. 

GSX-R750 "Slabby" added to Suzuki Vintage Parts.

Suzuki GB has announced the inclusion of the original GSX-R750 as part of its Vintage Parts Programme, with over 1,300 parts still available for the iconic race-replica.

The GSX-R750, first launched in 1985 and widely recognised as the world's first supersport machine, joins the RGV250 and GT750 'Kettle' as part of the programme, which aims to highlight to owners of more classic Suzuki models the range of Genuine parts still available. 

Affectionately known as the 'Slabby', F to H models of the GSX-R750 are included in the Vintage Parts Programme, which features its own bespoke area of the website. As well as listing the parts still available, the website also features a number of downloads, including original parts booklets and service manuals, as well as an area for owners to upload their own images.

Tim Davies, Suzuki GB Aftersales Marketing Co-ordinator, said, "The Vintage Parts Programme has proven really popular with customers and owners of more classic Suzukis from the past. It was launched to widespread praise with the RGV250 and since then we've added the GT750. We're now really pleased to be able to add the original GSX-R750.

"A lot of work goes into collecting all of the information on parts still available from the factory for these models, along with the literature to accompany them, and we're delighted to be able to announce the inclusion of such an iconic machine from Suzuki's history."

For more information on Suzuki's Vintage Parts Programme, visit www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/vintage-parts