Volvo 850 - BTCC 1995 - #15 R. Rydell 1:18

AUTOart has released what we reckon to be the first ever 1:18 replica of a BTCC supertourer. We have now received all three variants: the presentation car (AA89596), and the race cars of Rickard Rydell and Tim Harvey (AA89595). 1995 was a good season for the TWR Volvo team. Rydell clearly had the speed, taking pole position for 13 of the 24 races. Unfortunately, the Swede was often slow off the line, and struggled to convert these pole positions into race wins. He only took four victories that year; at Donington, Silverstone, Oulton Park and Knockhill. At the end of the season he was third in the standings, behind the ultra consistent John Cleland, and Alain Menu. In fairness to Rydell, he did have some bad luck. His windscreen steamed up at a wet Brands Hatch, for example. And he famously spun into the service road at Snetterton after a brake failure. Tim Harvey had a consistent season, scoring several podium and points finishes. The highlight for him was an emphatic double victory at Brands Hatch. He achieved a respectable fifth in the championship that year. The presentation version, which was used at the car’s launch, has the names of both drivers on the rear window. Whichever one you choose, it will make a very attractive addition to your display. It has one of the best paint finishes that we’ve ever seen on a 1:18 replica. We also like the accuracy of the roll cage, and the fact that the driver’s harness is correctly attached to it. We hope AUTOart will go on to make Rydell’s 1998 BTCC championship winning Volvo S40 in the very near future.

Product code: AA89594