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NewVolvo · Mar 23rd, 2018, 20:34

Need to add my 2p to this, especially so as I not only imported a 780 from Sweden to the UK in 2009, I also exported it out to Germany in 2011, where it still is in my ownership.

Best place to find a nice 780 will either be in Sweden or in Germany. The ones in Holland are seriously dear due to their tax system (see below).

The process in 2009 might be very different than today. In fact, it was really easy and, at the time, I did not need a COC from Volvo. However when importing it to Germany, this was needed. Sourced it from Volvo Sweden (your best bet as Volvo UK doesn't have a clue!). Cost €300 from memory. This is needed due to the car not being officially sold in Germany (nor the UK among many others) and contain all the information the DVLA (or TUV in my case) need re emissions etc.

Bought mine over the internet, without seeing it, from a dealer in Sweden. Of course a risk, but I was lucky. Then had it transported to Berlin where some work on it was done. When ready, I arranged for "Kurzkennzeichen" (short term number plates, valid for 5 days) with insurance and tax that allowed me to drive it to the UK.

At the time the form from DVLA was called V55/5. Basically you need to order a "Import Pack" from them. It can not be downloaded. You also need the usual MOT and Insurance. The insurance is done using the VIN number until such time you get your number plate. I also needed evidence of export out of Sweden, a simple phonecall to "Transportstyrelsen" in Sweden will sort that out. Oh, if bought in Sweden the Swedish number plates have to be sent back to Transportstyrelsen (at least, used to be like that).

It is NOT legal to buy a car in Sweden and drive it to the UK on existing number plates unless you have a Swedish address so having it transported is the safest best. Many ignore this though....

As for lights and speedo. I had absolutely no issues. The lights were adjusted and done using simple headlight converters from EU to UK lights (rather than the ones you buy in UK for driving in Europe). The speedo I didn't have to do anything.

Once armed with that, I got the car regged in UK.

It may very well be that today, it would be an issue however....

Right, having had a quick look at prices for the 780. They very greatly due to the condition. But a word of warning, anyone who thinks they can get a 780 for say £500 (like a beat up S60, V70, 760 etc) are very wrong. This is now a classic car and most that are still around would have been looked after. Many of them, like my own, have agreed value with the insurance co's. This value, in my experience, is much higher in Europe than in the UK and reflects the sale price. In fact, in my case, more than double!

Sweden - found only one at the moment. €12500 -87 V6
Germany - found a few, between €9-15000. Turbo -89 (US Imp) and V6 -87.
Holland - between €15-22000

The colors that were available changed over the years the 780 was for sale (1985-1990). Most years it stayed the same however. From memory they were:
Black
Dark Blue met
White
Red
Dark Red met.
Silver
Light Brown met (mine)
Beige met.

3 different interior trims were available. All freely available with every exterior color. They were:
Beige
Dark Grey/Blue
Dark Grey/Black

A "sporty" 780 would be black with grey/black interior. A "classy" one, everything else + Beige interior.

All 780's were fully equipped with no extra options available from factory.

The wood is real and is a sort of light birch. The italian leather is thick and of extremely high quality (beats many of today's cars). The original stereo was built by Alpine and second to none at the time with 4 speakers and two (!) amps as well as an equalizer!

The engines varies from markets. The Swedish had the V6 (156bhp without cat, 147bhp with). France and Belgium had a Td, Italy V6 and Turbo etc etc.

The 780 only really got one update in its life that is worth talking about....
1985-1987 cars were pretty much all the same, at least visually.
1988-1989 cars got the new multilink rear suspension, new design radio, new design climate control unit, new design gearshifter, new design electric seats switches.
1990 new badging at rear and new wheels. New waterfall grill (previous ones had the eggcrate). More chrome. V6 dropped.

As a note, the 780 have bespoke exterior and interior compared to any 740 and 760. In fact, not even one exterior panel are shared with any other model. On the inside, the may look the same but dash, seats, steering wheel and a few other items are different. On the underside and engine, suspension, exhaust, this is pretty much the same as the 760, on which the 780 was based.

Parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Sadly many parts are no longer available.

If anyone would be seriously interested in buying one from either Sweden, Germany or Holland, I would happily help as I am Swedish and speak the language + German + can help with transport etc

Mar 23rd, 2018, 20:34	#26
NewVolvo VOC Member Last Online: Oct 23rd, 2022 19:52 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Köln, Germany	Need to add my 2p to this, especially so as I not only imported a 780 from Sweden to the UK in 2009, I also exported it out to Germany in 2011, where it still is in my ownership. Best place to find a nice 780 will either be in Sweden or in Germany. The ones in Holland are seriously dear due to their tax system (see below). The process in 2009 might be very different than today. In fact, it was really easy and, at the time, I did not need a COC from Volvo. However when importing it to Germany, this was needed. Sourced it from Volvo Sweden (your best bet as Volvo UK doesn't have a clue!). Cost €300 from memory. This is needed due to the car not being officially sold in Germany (nor the UK among many others) and contain all the information the DVLA (or TUV in my case) need re emissions etc. Bought mine over the internet, without seeing it, from a dealer in Sweden. Of course a risk, but I was lucky. Then had it transported to Berlin where some work on it was done. When ready, I arranged for "Kurzkennzeichen" (short term number plates, valid for 5 days) with insurance and tax that allowed me to drive it to the UK. At the time the form from DVLA was called V55/5. Basically you need to order a "Import Pack" from them. It can not be downloaded. You also need the usual MOT and Insurance. The insurance is done using the VIN number until such time you get your number plate. I also needed evidence of export out of Sweden, a simple phonecall to "Transportstyrelsen" in Sweden will sort that out. Oh, if bought in Sweden the Swedish number plates have to be sent back to Transportstyrelsen (at least, used to be like that). It is NOT legal to buy a car in Sweden and drive it to the UK on existing number plates unless you have a Swedish address so having it transported is the safest best. Many ignore this though.... As for lights and speedo. I had absolutely no issues. The lights were adjusted and done using simple headlight converters from EU to UK lights (rather than the ones you buy in UK for driving in Europe). The speedo I didn't have to do anything. Once armed with that, I got the car regged in UK. It may very well be that today, it would be an issue however.... Right, having had a quick look at prices for the 780. They very greatly due to the condition. But a word of warning, anyone who thinks they can get a 780 for say £500 (like a beat up S60, V70, 760 etc) are very wrong. This is now a classic car and most that are still around would have been looked after. Many of them, like my own, have agreed value with the insurance co's. This value, in my experience, is much higher in Europe than in the UK and reflects the sale price. In fact, in my case, more than double! Sweden - found only one at the moment. €12500 -87 V6 Germany - found a few, between €9-15000. Turbo -89 (US Imp) and V6 -87. Holland - between €15-22000 The colors that were available changed over the years the 780 was for sale (1985-1990). Most years it stayed the same however. From memory they were: Black Dark Blue met White Red Dark Red met. Silver Light Brown met (mine) Beige met. 3 different interior trims were available. All freely available with every exterior color. They were: Beige Dark Grey/Blue Dark Grey/Black A "sporty" 780 would be black with grey/black interior. A "classy" one, everything else + Beige interior. All 780's were fully equipped with no extra options available from factory. The wood is real and is a sort of light birch. The italian leather is thick and of extremely high quality (beats many of today's cars). The original stereo was built by Alpine and second to none at the time with 4 speakers and two (!) amps as well as an equalizer! The engines varies from markets. The Swedish had the V6 (156bhp without cat, 147bhp with). France and Belgium had a Td, Italy V6 and Turbo etc etc. The 780 only really got one update in its life that is worth talking about.... 1985-1987 cars were pretty much all the same, at least visually. 1988-1989 cars got the new multilink rear suspension, new design radio, new design climate control unit, new design gearshifter, new design electric seats switches. 1990 new badging at rear and new wheels. New waterfall grill (previous ones had the eggcrate). More chrome. V6 dropped. As a note, the 780 have bespoke exterior and interior compared to any 740 and 760. In fact, not even one exterior panel are shared with any other model. On the inside, the may look the same but dash, seats, steering wheel and a few other items are different. On the underside and engine, suspension, exhaust, this is pretty much the same as the 760, on which the 780 was based. Parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Sadly many parts are no longer available. If anyone would be seriously interested in buying one from either Sweden, Germany or Holland, I would happily help as I am Swedish and speak the language + German + can help with transport etc __________________ 2019 XC60 T6 R-Design 2017 S6 Avant 1996 850R 1987 780 Bertone Lots of previous Volvo's Last edited by NewVolvo; Mar 23rd, 2018 at 21:28.