“She is more practical for our needs,” explained HGV driver Simon. “We have a classic caravan so needed a strong car to pull it. Plus, we have two German shepherds, so needed an estate. Then we spotted Gracie, our Amazon, less than 30 miles from our home.
“She was in a terrible state. Paint was peeling, Ford Fiesta seats and a Rover steering wheel had been added. We changed everything back to its original features, although we went for a leather trim rather than vinyl. We wanted a big, practical, classic estate and the Amazon fits the bill perfectly.”
Volvo 145 (1967-1974)
Offering its discerning owners oodles of space thanks to flat-folding back seats and an almost vertical-opening tailgate, the 145’s boxy shape provided the template for a range of successful follow-ups. Dominating its market for years, the 145 was promoted as “elegant in appearance, comfortable on the inside, versatile and Volvo-safe”.
The 140 series – comprising three models: the two-door 142, four-door 144 and the 145 estate – attracted admirers worldwide, including the North Koreans. In 1974, 1,000 144s were shipped to the secretive nation as part of a trade deal but, as yet, it appears the bill remains unpaid. It’s believed some cars are still being used as taxis around Pyongyang.
Graham Silverton, 63, searched high and low for a white 1974 Volvo 145 in memory of his late parents. “They had an identical car and I loved the look – it was certainly a step-up from their previous Renault 12,” he said. “One feature which makes the 145 special is the energy-absorbing bumpers, initially designed for the North American market. This was the first Volvo to incorporate this feature.
“Finding a replica of my parents’ car, even down to the same red trim, was a challenge, but very satisfying, especially when I sourced one in Scotland. Driving the 145 evokes memories of all those family trips when I was a moody teenager, including caravanning in Sweden and Spain. I probably wanted to stay home with my mates, and it’s only as you get older that you realise just how special those days were.
“Despite it being 52 years old, my 145 is so comfortable. I drove to a Volvo show at the weekend, clocking up 380 miles. Cruising on the motorway at 65mph, the car was quiet and a pleasure to drive. Okay, there is no air con, but I just wind down the window and do the classic arm-out-of-the-window pose to keep cool.”