1993 Volvo 850 - Race Car

Highlights

• Ex-Project 8 racing saloon, now road registered and track-ready
• 370bhp turbocharged five-cylinder with forged internals
• Top end rebuild by Connaught Competition Engines in early 2025
• Comprehensive chassis, suspension and brake specification including Öhlins coilovers and AP Racing callipers
• Invited to attend SuperTouringPower events at Brands Hatch

The Appeal

The Volvo 850 earned its place in touring car folklore when TWR and Volvo brought the estate to the BTCC in the mid-1990s, proving that a family wagon could genuinely mix it with the best. This particular 850 carries that spirit forward as a purpose-built race car with a road-registered conversion, having competed in Project 8 racing saloons before the current owner acquired it in the summer of 2024.

Under the bonnet sits a B5244T block producing 370bhp and 400Nm through a Mitsubishi TD04-19T turbo, forged rods and pistons, 440cc Bosch Green injectors, and a three-inch turbo-back exhaust. Drive is sent through a race-ratio M56 gearbox with a Gripper differential, lightened flywheel, and hybrid clutch. The chassis is equally well specified: Öhlins front coilovers, GAZ rear shocks with Faulkner Springs, IPD anti-roll bars front and rear, and alloy subframe mounts with additional chassis stiffening plates. Stopping power comes from AP Racing front callipers on Reyland Motorsport J Hook discs with Pagid pads, and S60R/V70R rear callipers, all with braided lines and adjustable front-to-rear bias via the OBP pedal box.

A top end rebuild was carried out by Connaught Competition Engines in early 2025, and at the same time the gearbox was serviced and a new cam belt, auxiliary belt, water pump, and alternator were fitted. Wearing a BTCC spoiler and TWR front air dam, it draws attention wherever it goes, the current owner was invited to attend both SuperTouringPower 1 and 2 at Brands Hatch. While it shows honest signs of competition use, the vendor reports the underside is solid with no rot and no chassis damage. The vendor describes it as a crowd-pleasing, head-turning machine that pulls you into and out of corners with grip and traction, a track weapon that also happens to be road registered.

Key Information

• Mileage: not provided; this is a race car with an aftermarket speedometer
• Country of registration: United Kingdom
• Technical inspection status: not provided
• Technical specs: modified 2.4-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol, five-speed manual (race-ratio M56 gearbox), front-wheel drive
• Paperwork: invoice from Connaught Competition Engines for top end rebuild, invoice for turbo replacement

The Detail

• Top end rebuild by Connaught Competition Engines in early 2025, including new valves, valve stem seals, valve guides, intake port cleaning, and light head skimming
• Gearbox cleaned and serviced with motorsport-grade Morris Gearbox/LSD oil in early 2025
• New cam belt, auxiliary belt, water pump, and alternator fitted in early 2025
• New rear brake line from pedal box to rear interior section fitted in early 2025
• New Mitsubishi TD04-19T turbo fitted, with invoice to support
• Full day of dyno tuning at IAMotorsport in August 2024
• Horn, side repeaters, and wiper washer jet system fitted in June 2025 for road registration
• The vendor notes the engine burns oil when cold after sitting, which clears once warmed up and does not affect performance
• Scuff marks on doors, paint flaking in some areas, and minor vinyl damage from track use
• The vendor reports the underside is in good condition with no rot or chassis damage
• Interior is fully stripped with a roll cage, X bars on the doors, and a custom switch panel
• Recaro Carbon bucket seat and Cobra Monaco Pro bucket seat fitted; neither is currently in date for racing
• Driver's side five-point HANS device harness and passenger harness fitted; neither is currently in date for racing
• Fire extinguisher system fitted
• DO88 aluminium radiator and intercooler, front-mounted oil cooler, and Forge swirl pot
• Trackside noise test recorded at 100dB at 5,000 RPM
• Wide-view rear-view mirror is damaged but functional
• Vendor advises the car should be trailered away by the winning bidder due to not having a valid MOT

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