WHEN I was younger, my father owned a Volvo 164, a big brute of a car with a tall upright grille, a powerful and thirsty straight six-cylinder engine, and the sort of heavy duty build that made a tank seem fragile.
Every journey was conducted like a foray into enemy territory: the 164 was driven into battle and it swept all other traffic aside like autumn leaves.
Each time my father bullied another car into moving over with the intimidating presence of the big Volvo, he would floor the throttle, and listen to the big engine rev with obvious satisfaction.
Eventually, the 164 was traded in for something a little lighter on its wheels and less thirsty at the petrol pump.
Nothing has changed that much. Volvo still offers a big, impressive saloon car with a powerful straight six-cylinder engine and it still feels as solid and safe.
The new version is the 960. The engine is new and the style sharper, but the character of the 164 has survived.