Description
1996 Volvo 940 CD 2. 3 LPT Saloon – "Ruby"Price: £6, 950 (Open to sensible offers from genuine buyers upon viewing)Mileage: ~102, 000 miles (Will rise slightly during show season)MOT: Valid until 28/ 10/ 2026 (Option for fresh 12-month MOT on sale)Private sale (Private plate excluded; returning to age-appropriate N-prefix)Key Highlights & OverviewOwnership Story: Bought privately 5 years ago; lovingly restored and cherished as a show car.Investment: Over £10, 000 spent on full mechanical, structural, and cosmetic restoration.Storage: Always dry stored during ownership. (After the full respray)Bodywork & PaintFull Professional Respray: £6, 500 bare-metal restoration and respray in original Regent Red Pearl (Colour code 418).Custom Roof & Bonnet Finish: Custom-sprayed holographic glitter finish that throws rainbow colors in the sun.Factory Option: The glitter finish can be restored back to 100% Regent Red Pearl (Bonnet, roof and spoiler are the only holographic bodywork).Underbody Protection: Fully welded minor rust repairs and thoroughly Waxoyled underneath.Mechanical & UpgradesEngine & Transmission: Bulletproof 2. 3-litre Light Pressure Turbo (LPT) with a smooth automatic gearbox.Custom Exhaust: £1, 200 full stainless steel exhaust system with high-flow racing cat (MOT emissions compliant with a subtle tone).Handling Upgrade: Entire suspension fully polybushed (£800+) for sharp handling with minimal body roll.Steering & Suspension: Brand-new front shocks and a refurbished steering rack.Maintenance History: Cam belt replaced 5 years ago, new water pump, fresh ATF transmission service, new ignition coil, fresh HT leads, and new hoses.Interior & Sound SystemCabin Condition: Top-spec CD trim with grey leather seats and original wood dash trim.Audio Upgrade: Full surround sound system with premium Focal speakers and a Pioneer head unit.Original Stereo Included: Rare, factory Volvo Dolby stereo and radio included as a spare.Honest Condition & Known QuirksHeater Matrix Valve: Heater is currently bypassed due to a rare factory valve. A popular Mk1 Golf heater valve swap is the standard, easy weekend fix for Volvo enthusiasts. Scuff on a wing mirror caused by maneuvering in the garage!Paperwork, Provenance & HistoryRegistered Keepers: Shows 17 keepers on paper, but passed mostly within the same single family for decades.Original Documents: Includes the original 1996 sales invoice, original Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) sheet, and early owner records.Photo Archive: Comes with a full 5-year photographic build archive covering every step of the restoration.Invoices: Thick folder of receipts for all parts, servicing, and restoration work.Included Spares & Accessories Treasure TroveGenuine Volvo boot spoilerRare parcel-shelf rear taillightOriginal plastic boot protector, heavy-duty rubber floor mats, and cloth matsSpare wheel plus a vast collection of extra partsReason for SaleLogistics of Moving: Selling solely due to the logistics of an upcoming move abroad.Enthusiast Promise: Promised the previous owner I would keep her alive and cherish her. I am seeking a buyer who will do the same, she is too special to sit hidden away as a garage queen.If the right buyer isn't found, I will arrange transport and bring her with me. When you turn the key on a crisp Sunday morning, there is a distinct, unmistakable feeling that only a car built with genuine soul can give you. Ruby isn’t just a 90s Volvo; she is a surviving piece of automotive history, a cherished labor of love, and an absolute magnet for joy wherever her tires touch the road. For nearly three decades, Ruby’s life was defined by quiet devotion. She spent the vast majority of her years wrapped in the warmth of a single family, passed gently from one generation to the next like a prized family heirloom. When she finally came into my life five years ago, I made a solemn promise to her previous owner: to protect her legacy, cherish her, and ensure her story never faded. Over five years of total dedication, she was transformed into the ultimate showstopper. Every inch of her bodywork was restored, and she was coated in a deep, lustrous Regent Red Pearl that gleams with timeless elegance. But for those who love to stand out at a show, her bonnet and roof carry a special secret, a custom holographic glitter finish that catches the sunlight and bursts into a dazzling, shifting rainbow. She is a guaranteed conversation starter. Whether you are pulling into a classic car meet or stopping for petrol, she brings out instant smiles, enthusiastic thumbs-up, and eager stories from strangers who remember these iconic saloons with fondness. (And if your heart longs for pure factory nostalgia, her original bodyshop can seamlessly restore her to a matching, solid red surface!)Step inside her cabin, and you are immediately transported to the golden era of luxury cruising. The aroma of plush grey leather, the classic warm wood trim, and the effortless, floating ride make every journey feel like a special occasion. As you settle into the driver's seat, you can fire up your favorite road trip playlist, flowing crystal-clear through a high-end surround sound system and just drive. She holds the road with a tight, modern confidence that completely eliminates the floaty, tired feel of the 90s, giving you a smooth, planted, and deeply rewarding drive every single time. What makes Ruby truly magical, though, is her paper trail of love. Tucked away in her history file is her very first sales invoice from 1996, her original pre-delivery inspection sheet, and a complete, step-by-step photographic archive documenting every single moment of her five-year restoration. You aren't just buying a car; you are becoming the next custodian of a documented, cherished journey. Saying goodbye to her is heartbreaking, and the only reason she is up for grabs is down to the sheer logistics of moving abroad. It simply isn't fair for a car this special to sit hidden away as a garage queen, she deserves an owner who will turn the key, head out to the next car show, and fall in love with her the exact same way I did. If you are ready to carry the torch and keep that promise of stewardship alive, Ruby is completely ready to write her next beautiful chapter with you.
