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.

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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

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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

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BEFORE YOU BUY

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