Touring Sweden in an old Volvo

[taiwan740]

As above, little more than a thought I had while doing the dishes at the moment (obviously once stuff settles down)

Has anyone done this before? I've been to Stockholm and Uppsala a few times with work, but wondering if going up to the North is worth a trip and any suggestions/things to see etc.

Ta

[360beast]

Never been but I have a dream of driving my 360... or 940... or 760... or other 360 😂 to Sweden and going to the Volvo museum in Gothenburg and touring Sweden. The fuel bill will be atrocious but worth it in my mind haha.

[taiwan740]

The Øresund bridge/tunnel is also pretty pricey and I've heard the border controls can back up a bit, albeit it does look cool.

Realistically the price of fuel and ferry would easily offset flying over and buying one over there.

[EssexExile]

I'd tell you what it's like but I was there in 1972 so it may have changed a bit.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by taiwan740

As above, little more than a thought I had while doing the dishes at the moment (obviously once stuff settles down)

Has anyone done this before? I've been to Stockholm and Uppsala a few times with work, but wondering if going up to the North is worth a trip and any suggestions/things to see etc.

Ta

I'm sure that you will feel very much at home, 'taiwan740', and never short of help if you are ever in trouble with your car.

I would always take a strong mosquito repellent; the little critters seem to get worse the further north one goes, especially close to water and at dusk!

Cross-country skiing is very popular in season and if you are there in March the Vasaloppet is well worth a visit, if only as a spectator!

If you like getting close to nature, you will be in your element; if you crave the bright lights, outside Stockholm and Göteborg, best forget it!

I fear that your biggest problem today may be getting there with the car now DFDS have discontinued their North Sea crossings - the alternative is a long drive through Europe.

Regards, John.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by 360beast

Never been but I have a dream of driving my 360... or 940... or 760... or other 360 😂 to Sweden and going to the Volvo museum in Gothenburg and touring Sweden. The fuel bill will be atrocious but worth it in my mind haha.

There are still many older Volvos in daily use over there, '360beast', especially in the more remote areas. Until comparatively recently it was not unusual to see an Amazon or 1 - series car; now the oldest that you will see is likely to be a 2 series. There also remain a great many early V70s in daily use, if they qualify as an older Volvo?

I think one reason for this is that the Swedes do not have a year identifier on their registration plates. Couple this with the fact that older Volvos, e.g. 1 and 2 series cars, changed little in their lifetime, most Swedes' lack of status consciousness with their 'if it isn't broken, don't fix it', mentality, and it is not difficult to see why this should be so.

Regarding fuel costs / consumption. When we were running an '81 244DL (2.1 Auto) it regularly returned an average of 23 MPG overall when used at home. On our first visit to Sweden it bettered 30 - long distances at constant speeds do wonders for fuel consumption.

It will probably not surprise to learn that we like the country so much that, before my heart attack, Covid, and now, although I haven't fully researched it, Brexit as well, we actively considered retiring there. It is easily possible to buy an equivalent property to one at home at one third of the price in the more remote areas.

Although we have a little Swedish, English is widely spoken there, so language is no barrier. If he should visit, 'taiwan740' will find the Swedes anxious to use their already excellent English!

Regards, John.

[xsaab]

I hitch hiked from Malmo to Kiruna in about 6 days via Stockholm in 1964 and then by train to Narvik and then hitched to Oslo to fly home.

Norway is more scenic. Sweden even then had a good road system. This was before Norway became the wealthiest country in the world.

Make sure you understand their traffic rules eg restrictions on vehicles because of the fuel used.
Have a good trip.

[EssexExile]

Originally Posted by xsaab

I hitch hiked from Malmo to Kiruna in about 6 days via Stockholm in 1964 and then by train to Narvik and then hitched to Oslo to fly home.

Norway is more scenic. Sweden even then had a good road system. This was before Norway became the wealthiest country in the world.

Make sure you understand their traffic rules eg restrictions on vehicles because of the fuel used.
Have a good trip.

You trundle along the wide open expanses of empty tarmac at a nice 70mph or so - then the tarmac suddenly stops and you're on a gravel surface! It certainly wakes you up.

[Wagon Sailor]

About 5 years ago, we drove up through Benelux and Germany and took a ferry from Denmark to Norway. The return trip saw us pottering through Sweden. It was a great summer trip and is certainly to be recommended.

We don't usually book accommodation on our road trips, as we're never sure where we'll be. This can backfire in Scandinavia as the miles per B&B can be quite high. Also, we were caught out more than once by the long daylight hours.

Budgeting isn't difficult. The last time I looked, the Oresund Bridge cost about a fiver one way (well worth it), Swedish petrol is about the same as here in the UK, and accommodation is also good value.

Do it!

[Dibble]

Went with the VOC in 2008, Harwich to Denmark, across to Copenhagen then over to Gothenburg. Factory, Test Track, Museum. Brilliant. Up to Karlstad then Stockholm for a few days. Beautiful city with lovely friendly people then down to Kalmar and Malmo. 12 days in glorious sunshine then The Bridge. Again, quite stunning but if I remember correctly it was about 35 Euros each way. We loved it and the S80 did too.

I have been back to Gothenburg and Stockholm since but flying this time and I would go every year if I could!