The Volvo 360GLS

Browse pages
Current page

1

Current page

2

Current page

3

Current page

4

Current page

5

Current page

6

Current page

7

Current page

8

Current page

9

Current page

10

Current page

11

Current page

12

Current page

13

Current page

14

Current page

15

Current page

16

Current page

17

Current page

18

Current page

19

Current page

20

Current page

21

Current page

22

Current page

23

Current page

24

Current page

25

Current page

26

Current page

27

Current page

28

Current page

29

Current page

30

Current page

31

Current page

32

Current page

33

Current page

34

Current page

35

Current page

36

Current page

37

Current page

38

Current page

39

Current page

40

Current page

41

Current page

42

Current page

43

Current page

44

Current page

45

Current page

46

Current page

47

Current page

48

Current page

49

Current page

50

Current page

51

Current page

52

Current page

53

Current page

54

Current page

55

Current page

56

Current page

57

Current page

58

Current page

59

Current page

60

Current page

61

Current page

62

Current page

63

Current page

64

Current page

65

Current page

66

Current page

67

Current page

68

Current page

69

Current page

70

Current page

71

Current page

72

Current page

73

Current page

74

Current page

75

Current page

76

Current page

77

Current page

78

Current page

79

Current page

80

Current page

81

Current page

82

Current page

83

Current page

84

Current page

85

Current page

86

Current page

87

Current page

88

Current page

89

Current page

90

Current page

91

Current page

92

Current page

93

Current page

94

Current page

95

Current page

96

Current page

97

Current page

98

Current page

99

Current page

100

Current page

101

Current page

102

Current page

103

Current page

104

Current page

105

Current page

106

Current page

107

Current page

108

Current page

109

Current page

110

Current page

111

Current page

112

Current page

113

Current page

114

Current page

115

Current page

116

Current page

117

Current page

118

Current page

119

Current page

120

Current page

121

Current page

122

Current page

123

Current page

124

Many, many years ago I went to Sweden to see how Volvo and Saab cars were made. I was extremely impressed, telling the comparatively new, or perhaps I should say newly-expanding, Volvo people that if they were to take a full-page advertisement in, say The Times newspaper, telling how thorough their laboratories were in checking materials and how very meticulously the Volvos were put together, they would undoubtedly reap high sales in Britain. I do not think they fully understood that I was expressing this opinion after having seen inside most of the important European car factories and those in this country from Rolls-Royce downwards. Far from such manufacturies, the Volvo engineers thought theirs was the only way good cars could be made and that that was the end of it! However, you cannot keep people from beating a path to your door if you make good mouse-traps — or cars. So since my visit of long ago, the worth of the Volvo has been appreciated, World-wide. Volvo nomenclature is confusing. The big, very useful 245GLT Estate I tested in 1982 had a 2.3-litre engine. The Volvo 3600LS 5-door Hatchback I have recently been trying has the newer 2-litre B19A four-cylinder carburetted, alloy head ohc engine, developing 92 bhp, whereas the 360 GLT model has the fuel-injection BI9E engine and gives 115 bhp. Both are hydraulically mounted and have breakerless ignition. Both have acceptable 5-speed gearboxes (mounted in unit with the final-drive, transaxle fashion), giving indicated 70 mph cruising in the highest gear at an easy 3,000 rpm, the engine developing its maximum power at only 5,400 rpm. Those wanting a less-bulky version of the high-quality Volvo are well catered for in the recently-expanded 300-series, notably with the easy to load Hatchback body. I liked the 360GLS in spite of it being one of the less lavishly-equipped models, sans sun roof, central locking, electric windows, rear spoiler or alloy wheels, etc. It was nicely appointed and finished, though it had the ingenious Volvo semi-self-levelling suspension, which to accommodate caravan-towing can be adjusted with a garage air-line, the pressure gauge hiding beneath the off-side back-seat cushion. Those who are not enamoured with the almost universal trend for FWD have in these compact ‘Volvos a “North/South”-mounted engine and the technical luxury of de Dion rear suspension, using long single-leaf half-elliptic rear springs. The 360GLS lacks gas-filled shock-absorbers and I would not rate its handling in the sports-saloon category, but it corners well nevertheless, and rides well on normal roads, at times with a very faint floating action. On rougher surfaces the suspension feels hard.

The overall impression is of a very agreeable car, pleasant and uncomplicated to drive. I liked the discreet warning-lights, the clear instruments, and the very useful stowage, including front-door bins. One’s left foot has to be parked beneath the clutch pedal and the tips of the two steering column stalk-controls (turn-indicators and flick-dipping on the left, wipers, with flick-action, on the right) are a bit harsh and also a bit rough on ungloved hands. The headlamps had a rather sudden cut-off on dipped beams and could have been somewhat more long range on full beams. But they have wash wipe, there are mud-flaps behind all four wheels and I am glad to say that no longer do you have running lights permanently in use. The old-style quartz clock, being on the fascia, is not too easy to read.

Very likeable features are the truly effective heater with all settings very clearly explained, the neat rotary switches for lamps and heater-fan, and the easily-worked multiple air and heat vents. The seats are generally comfortable and all told this Volvo 360 is a car I could live with and enjoy. On the first long run in it there was freezing fog, so full potential could not be used and I was getting about 30 mpg from the 12 1/2-gallon fuel tank. A 332-mile cross-country run at an average of over 51 mph gave some 28 mpg; the fuel gauge is widely marked but a flashing light shows with about 5-litres in reserve. The overall consumption was 25.9 mpg. The test-car had a Volvo CR-107 stereo-cassette radio and the tyres were 13 in Goodyear Grand Prix S70s. I was surprised that the screen-washer fluid instantly froze — on a Swedish car too! I could have done with the outside air-temperature gauge but did not miss the economy gauge, both blanked off from the fascia on this model. Once upon a time Standard Motors had a slogan “Count Them On The Road”. The popularity of Volvos of all kinds shows that their worth is fully understood by British motorists. The useful and enjoyable 360GLS 5-door sells here for £6,298.

W.B.