Why I own it?

This is probably the most special vehicle in my car collection. When I heard about this car and had the opportunity to purchase it, it was like winning the lottery.

For years, this dignified Volvo has been something of a mystery and forgotten and received very little attention. At the same time, it has remarkable historical value.

Namely, it was the official car of the first president (car force one) of the newly independent Republic of Estonia in the 90s, received as a gift from the Kingdom of Sweden. Thus, this car carries an important historical heritage for Estonia and also Sweden and there had been in recent years even high probability that this car would have travelled to Sweden to be a part of some car collection there.

It is is the Estonian presidential official car that has been used by three Estonian heads of state:

1. Arnold Rüütel, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia, during whose tenure the Kingdom of Sweden gifted the vehicle to the Republic of Estonia (used between April 1992 – October 1992).
2. Heinrich Mark, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia in exile on behalf of the President of the Republic, used the vehicle before the ceremony of handing over the power of the Republic of Estonia to President Lennart Meri and arrived at Kadriorg with this vehicle (October 8, 1992).
3. Lennart Meri, the first elected president of the newly independent Republic of Estonia, who used this vehicle as his first official car until he replaced it with a Mercedes (October 1992 – June 1993).

Here are some special facts about the car:
* It is the only Estonian presidential official car that has been used by three Estonian heads of state.
* It is the only Volvo that the President of Estonia has used as an official car.
* It is the only Estonian presidential official car that the Republic of Estonia has received as a gift.
* It is the only Estonian presidential official car that has not been in black color.
* It is the only Estonian presidential official car that, throughout its lifetime, could participate in traffic at an unlimited speed without a police escort.
* It is the earliest surviving Estonian presidential official car that still exists today.

So yes, I was very lucky to be able to add this special car to my colletion and I am planning on proper restoration of the car and then making it possible for people to come and see this car.

Volvo 960 has always had a special meaning for me since in the 90s my father had one as well (a year younger than President’s car, but the same overall package). Given it’s time and place, it was actually pretty powerful and fast car, with large engine and rear wheel drive.

Volvo 960