Hampshire Constabulary Area car, Volvo 240PS, B211 WPX, In Restoration, preservation and service

The Volvo 240 wasn’t a common sight as a patrol car in the UK except in Hampshire. The force used hundreds of them between 1975 and 1992 when the car went out of production. 

The Hampshire Constabulary were the first force in the UK to use foreign cars in 1965 when they bought five Volvo 121 Amazon estate cars for the Traffic Division. They followed that by using the 144 DL, 244 DL, 244 GLT, 240 PS, 360 GLEi, 850 T5, S70 T5, V70 T5, S60 T5 and the V70 D5 AWD. It is a unique partnership that has now lasted for more than 60 years. 

The 240 PS was an excellent Area Car that took everything in its stride. It was often derided by motoring journalists who labelled it as a tank but the figures speak for themselves because it has the same performance levels as the MK2 Ford Escort RS2000 that they all raved about. Top speed on both was 115 mph with identical 0-60 times of 7.5 seconds. 

When the car went out of production in 1992 it was very difficult to find an adequate replacement and a lot of Police officers genuinely mourned its passing and they are remembered today with real affection. 

VS-51 in full flight 

VS-51 when in service 1985 

VS-51 was based at Southsea Police Station as a Divisional Area Car from 1985 to 1987. It was built to Swedish Polis specification with a 2.3i four cylinder engine mated to a four speed manual (with electric over drive) gear box which pushed out 129 BHP.