Gothilda's ultimate complement :)

I've just given my mam and her new chap a lift home. For the chap, it was the first time he'd been Gothilda. After commenting on the comfort of the seats, the quality of the ride, and the quiet smoothness of the engine, he asked, "what sort of engine is in it, V6?". He seemed quite shocked when I said it was a regular straight 4.

 

It produces ... chickens?

 

Forgive me, but is your Gothilda, a Volvo 700 series? And if that is it in your avatar, gorgeous colour.

 

Close. First generation descendent of the 700 series. She is a 940. She is a late 940 being registered in 1998. Many car parts suppliers think they only go up to 1997 but maybe Gothilda was a late registration. She has most of the nicer options, which makes her more relaxing to drive than my previous 940, Helga, but in some ways Helga was the 'better' machine.

Helga was an early 940, sharing many common components with the 740. She was more basic that Gothilda, and less well mannered. I loved Helga as much as Gothilda, but each had slightly different characteristics. Helga was simple and basic but had immense attitude. Gothilda is much more refined. Helga did whatever you asked, even if what you were asking was silly (I accidentally did a 180 at least once). Gothilda, with her slush box and slight turbo lag is more about a smooth and progressive drive. Both good in their own way, but different.

 

Thank you.

I never got to drive the 900's as I parted ways with the Volvo dealership I worked for before they came out.

I do however have fond memories of the 700's especially the 760GLT.

 

I only know that one 'on paper' so to speak, but it sounds like a fantastic machine. 700/900 series but with 6 cylinders instead of 4, and significantly more power. Sounds good to me

 

Oh yes, used to love spinning these up the dual carriage way, all the Beema owners could only look at my dust as the beautiful lines sped away......

Certainly had a very powerful and very, very responsive engine and gear box, personally, I think the brakes were a little weak. A BIG car with that power needs to be able to stop in less than a 1/4 mile

 

My Gothilda has beefier brakes she had when she rolled off the production line. Nothing OTT for racing or anything, but her previous owner liked caravans, and obviously agreed with you that the brakes could do with a bit extra. Gothilda has drilled and grooved front discs and she can stop on a sixpence. I tested her out one time on a deserted road. Took her up to 20, then slammed on. Took her to 30, slammed on, then 40 then 50. When I booted the brake at 50, I scared myself a bit. Even though I obviously knew what should happen, the seat belt still had to do its job.

Deer old Helga, who was not upgraded in any way, was ok at stopping, but not a patch on Gothilda.