My New DD "Helga the Hellfire Wagon"

[Laneco]

I have always like station wagons - ones with a bit of speed. I know it's a little odd, but there's something really cool about a car that goes (fairly) fast and can haul five people along with all their bicycle gear. Cool!

So meet "Helga, the Hellfire Wagon." Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon. It's not an R, but someone was building an R. Guess even the Volvo guys build performance "clones." This one wound up with the R interior (alcantara and leather )and some clown put an R badge on the rear, but it's a standard high pressure turbo, 222 hp. The R was 240 and the only difference on the engine was the computer program.

Going to drive Helga stock for a while, do a few minor mods/tune up, then put on a set of Pegasus 17" wheels. This winter, I'll kick her off at IPD for an exhaust
and computer reflash. Looking at 275 hp. That will make a very nice driver!

This car is so big that with the rear seats down, I could stretch out fully and sleep. Should be the bomb for bicycle races!

angela

[unclebilly]

Isn't that the flag of... wait for it... FRANCE?

[Halm]

Congratulations, you'll love it. We had a '97 850T wagon. One of the 5 best cars we ever owned.

[911boost]

That is sweet Angela!

I do like station wagons. We have had a few, but this is my current airport commuter. It is deceivingly quick for such a big car.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Isn't that the flag of... wait for it... FRANCE?

It's a left over Halloween decoration of a big scary looking ghoul. The kids put it up and I can't get it down without the ladder. Too lazy to drag the ladder out. Thinking of putting a Santa hat on it.

BSiple - diggin' the big Buick! Is that the glass roof? Always thought those were cool. Saw on on a Chevy wagon that was green. I always wondered if it came that way or someone got REAL creative!

angela

[ben parrish]

Also had a 97 850 Wagon...GREAT car and pretty quick.

[kaisen]

I thought France's flag was all white?

[911boost]

It is all glass Angela, its a '68 Sportwagon 400. Pretty much a GS400 with a stretched frame anda wagon body. It is pretty similar to the Vista Crusier of the same area.

[Heel n Toe]

Cool ride, Angela... excellent find... hope it's good to you.


Hey guys... finally, a look at our favorite elusive redhead!

[Laneco]

Oh here's a picture of me! I'm the one in the stupid hat (my Mom made me wear it). The dude in the black suit is Carroll Shelby. For the record, the car was a gift for me but my step dad made away with it.

angela

[onewhippedpuppy]

Very cool. I'm always on the lookout for a nice V70R or 850R, I love the Volvo wagons.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Damn you double post!

[dewolf]

Crazy 850

YouTube - Volvo Turbo!!!

[EarlyPorsche]

With something that old make sure you replace the transmission fluid and filter a couple times in a week to get all fresh fluid in there. Also, trust me you dont want to make the exhaust louder. The Volvo isn't like an American V8 or anything...its just really annoying and you will be happier with less hp than having to hear that engine once the exhaust is installed. Just flash it and get what you can out of the quiet exhaust.

[jyl]

Cool car. Personally I would delete the R badge and have a Q ship.

One question-thought. I drove a FWD Volvo recently and the (lack of) traction when leaving stoplights on wet roads was irritating. The front wheels spun easily, I had to take off very gently to not look like a buffoon. Does Helga do that?

[Scuba Steve]

Cool, welcome to the old(ish) Volvo club!

[kanadary]

+1 on the transmission flush. its a diy though. get two cases of transfluid, take the top hose off the line that runs into the radiator, start engine and drain about two quarts of fluid into a bucket, add two quarts and repeat till the fluid runs a nice clean red. i use to do this on my 855 every 15k miles. it only take about an hour or so depending on available help. i still have about 3 or 4 sets of the replacement grommets and clips if you want them shoot me an pm. i also have some other stuff too but mine was a 94NA so some may not fit. the brick board is a great resource and bay 13 outlines the procedure for alot of the stuff like a stripped seat back cable.

AWD - The Volvo Owner's Resource
Bay 13

[1990C4S]

My '97 850 has close to 200,000 miles. Still a great car. I can't believe how many big things I have brought home in that car. And how many things I was sure were going to require a truck.

My kids have taken it on several adventures. And while I have my 911 as back-up, but I am always glad to get the 'Volvs' back.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by jyl

Cool car. Personally I would delete the R badge and have a Q ship.

One question-thought. I drove a FWD Volvo recently and the (lack of) traction when leaving stoplights on wet roads was irritating. The front wheels spun easily, I had to take off very gently to not look like a buffoon. Does Helga do that?

Ditto - R badge disappears as well as the other badges. For heaven's sake, how many times do you have to write VOLVO on something before you're just being really obvious?

Definately not a drag racer with the wheelspin, well, that and it's not exactly light. I was a little surprised when I nailed the throttle on an uphill freeway on ramp that was wet. As soon as I got boost, I also got LOTS of tire spin. Stayed dead straight but the amount of wheelspin was rather silly. Feels weird to have that sensation on a FWD car.

Transmission - I'm actually going to put a nice auxiliary transmission cooler on it and exchange all the fluid. There is a good spot to mount it left front lower, behind the opening in the bumper. Saw one with a B&M cooler mounted there, very slick. That's on my list of "need to do" things before adding any HP.

angela

[Tobra]

Change to aftermarket brake pads and the groovy brake fluid too, big heavy cars want super duper brakes.

Seems to me there is a picture here somewhere of young Angela sitting in certain soft top car looking every inch of 5 feet tall, something about a low seating position. I like the one here with the nifty chapeau