Volvo 960 model recognition

Hi;

Any one know how to recognise the model of a UK 960 (1995) I have?

As far as I can tell it will be an SE | CD | Executive.

The UK number plate indicates it was a 1995 from Northern Ireland but
the V5 show no sign of the model. The insurance compaies seem to be
quiet astute at demanding the model even though it makes no difference
to the premium fror each model.

Regards
Ian

 

1995 models include "S", "SE", "GLE" and "CD". Executive was LWB special
order (used by funeral parlours, company execs etc.). Registration should be
M or N plate (UK, poss except NI) and 10th digit of VIN should be either S
(1995 MY) or T (1996 MY). 1995 model was known as face lift as front wings
and bumpers modified to reduce bulky look. Two engine size choices, 2922
auto only and 2473 auto or manual. S equipped with Trico plush upholstery as
did SE, but SE has electric rear windows as well, burr wood dash and door
inserts,rake adjustable steering wheel, electric glass sunroof, metallic
paint, 20 spoke 16" alloy wheels, VolvoGuard alarm system with remote
central locking and integral rear armrest/child seat. GLE as SE plus air
conditioning, centre console and leather upholstery. The CD is as GLE with
Electronic Climate Control, cruise control, driver's seat has electric
adjustment with memory, passenger's seat has electric adjustment, 8-speaker
sound system (S, SE & GLE have 6), automatic locking differential (limited
slip), load compensation at rear and external temperature gauge (with ice
alert). Your car should fit one of the above descriptions. All 1995 models
have 850 style front suspension (with different offset to previous models)
and Independent Rear Suspension (including estates) using single leaf carbon
fibre transverse spring. All cars are equipped with ABS.

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

 

Just to build on Peter's full description, looking at Parker's Guide's
archived
review (link and extract below), there also seem to be 'customer spec' cars
around from 93-94, and an 'entry pack' for S models in 95. My UK June 96
960 doesn't quite fit Peter's list, it has no S/SE badge, a 'T' in VIN place
10
(so sometime in 96), electric rear windows, burr wood, but no sunroof, no
metallic paint and only 10-spoke wheels, suspect it's either an S+EP or a
CS.
I also wonder if some of these cars sat around the delivery or dealer chain
for a few months before being registered, and during this were merged with
whatever upgrade kits the dealers had left over following announcements of
options becoming standard in "next year's model". Fortunately my current
insurers (Volvo Owners' Insurance aka Royal) didn't ask about model types,
but other fussy insurers have insisted on knowing this kind of thing in the
past.

Parkers archived review for 940/960:
http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/archivedReview.aspx?range_id=371

extract: "...From October 93, the 960 24-valve was available in
mix-and-match 'Customer Spec' (CS) or 'Full Spec' (FS). CS could include any
of the following: 15" ten-spoke alloy wheels, electric steel sunroof,
leather steering wheel, climate control, electrically adjusted and heated
driver's seat, leather upholstery, roof rails (estates only). FS is, as it
sounds, the whole lot; a ruched leather upholstery upgrade was available.
The scarce Executive saloon is equally well specified, and was available as
a long-wheelbase (LWB) variant, six inches longer than the standard car. The
940 and 960 were revised in September 94; they were restyled, with revisions
to chassis and suspension, plus new interiors. Badging of specification
levels was now S, SE, GLE, CD and Executive, similar to the previous 940; S
models had an optional 'Entry Pack' comprising an integral child seat,
six-speaker audio and electric rear windows; "