I recently bought a '96 850R (not a '97 as I put in the title...) and I expect that the radio is not original because it does not have a CD player and the window sticker in the glove box says it did.

Can someone help me out as to what model number radio is supposed to be in this car? Also, does anyone have a clean, working radio for sale?

Thanks in advance!
Frank

Here's the good news: the square grey faced Volvo CD+Tape units are fairly common and easy to find on eBay. Volvo used them in lots of vehicles in the mid to late 1990's before they moved to an asymetrical shaped face

Here's the bad news: The R came standard with a black faced, 8 speaker "Premium Sound System" (written in gold script) unit to match the black leather interior. I believe this stereo was optional on other Volvos, but nonetheless, they are a lot more difficult to find, and I assume more expensive as a result.

When I got my R last summer, I was all pumped up about putting a serious stereo in the car, but that quickly cooled as I found out that putting any aftermarket stereo equipment in the 850 wagon is nothing short of a custom fab nightmare.

So I'd say you'll hafta be patient and wait for one to pop up on ebay, or be aggressive and search for people parting out their loaded Volvos.

:clap:

Good things come to those who wait...

:)

I appreciate the good and bad news. That explains why there are a couple of "unused" plugs behind my current radio. Thanks!