Description
The Volvo 850 Estate holds a genuinely legendary place in touring car history as one of the most unlikely and beloved race cars ever built, affectionately nicknamed “The Flying Brick” by fans and rivals alike. Entered into the 1994 British Touring Car Championship by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the decision to race a boxy family wagon rather than a conventional sedan came about almost by accident, as legend has it that when the team went to collect a body shell for conversion, only estate variants were available at the factory. Drivers Jan Lammers and Rickard Rydell lined up two blue and white liveried 850 Estates at the season opener at Thruxton, drawing bemused looks from rivals who couldn’t quite believe what they were racing against.
What seemed like a marketing stunt turned out to have genuine science behind it, as the estate’s long roofline actually generated more downforce than the equivalent sedan, giving it real competitive advantages on track. Powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0 litre five cylinder engine producing nearly 290 horsepower in race trim, the 850 Estate competed for a single dramatic season before regulation changes for 1995 outlawed the estate body style, forcing Volvo to switch to a saloon based car for the remainder of its BTCC campaign. Despite its brief run, the 850 Estate captured the hearts of motorsport fans worldwide and generated more column inches than almost any other car in BTCC history, cementing its place as one of the most memorable and genuinely unique touring cars ever to take a grid.
Hot Wheels celebrates this beloved racing wagon as part of its Fast Wagons range within the Car Culture series, an imported line known for its detailed, adult collector focused castings of celebrated real world race cars. This casting features a distinct white and blue diagonal racing livery with the number “25” emblazoned on the sides and hood, built with a complete Metal/Metal body and chassis paired with genuine Real Riders rubber tires, capturing the 850 Estate’s boxy, aerodynamic proportions at 1:64 scale.
Why You Should Own It?
- Represents the Volvo 850 Estate, the legendary “Flying Brick” of 1994 BTCC racing
- Part of the Hot Wheels Car Culture Fast Wagons range, an adult collector focused line
- Metal/Metal construction with genuine Real Riders rubber tires for premium detailing
- Distinct white and blue racing livery with number 25 side and hood graphics
- Represents a genuine, historically beloved touring car underdog story
- Great pickup for Volvo, BTCC, and 1990s touring car themed collections
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