1957 Volvo 444
I've owned this car since 1996. In one of the galleries below, you can view some photos of the body repairs from nearly 20 years ago.
Many/most of the changes to the car have been covered in this blog.
If that link doesn't work, try this: http://swedishrelics.blogspot.com/
Paint shows its age. It's single stage lacquer but polishes up ok for a daily.
Engine is a highly modified B18. Head has been ported and fitted with B20 valves, hardened seats and stiffer than original single wound springs and aluminum retainers. This engine revs easily to 7K. Forged pistons, approximately .060" over, H beam rods, balanced crank, 12lb chromoly flywheel, baffled oil pan, Schneider 274 cam. 45DCOE Webers on TWM intake manifolds, dual outlet exhaust manifold, 2.5" exhaust.
M41 transmission from 1975 240. Works perfectly.
55amp Bosch alternator and adjustable charging regulator. Later model (740 or something) permag starter.
Rear axle: 1973 Volvo 142. 4.10 open diff, rebuilt calipers. Rear suspension is original configuration, fitted with Lesjofors sport springs and Bilstein shocks. This car does not have a parking brake.
Front crossmember/suspension/brakes/steering: 1973 Volvo 142, 450# front springs, ipd front sway bar. Steering is light and precise.
Front calipers were new, not rebuilt, when installed approximately 20K miles ago, Wilwood dual master cylinder is split front/rear with adjustable proportioning valve. Stainless flex lines. Note that the brakes are not power assist. They'll absolutely stop the car, but you gotta use more leg muscle than with whatever car you're driving now.
Urethane bushings throughought, Bilstein shocks front and rear
17 gallon fuel cell is not certified for competition. But it holds a lot of fuel, which is pretty handy for road trips.
Wheels are stock steel 5x108, secured with 2" Kaplhenke Racing wheel studs. 185 65 standard issue tires. Will include 6 spoke Naiad wheels (V70XC).
Very rare dealer installed popout rear side windows.
Cibie H4 headlamps with City Lights, wired through Bosch relays and tucked behind steel stone guards.
Wipac fog lamps, wired through Bosch relay, on 3 position switch. Switch Up = always on; Switch Middle = always off; Switch Down = on with low beams.
Wipac spot lamps - wired through Bosch relay, on 3 position switch. Switch Up = always on; Switch Middle = always off; Switch Down = on with high beams.
You can run all or none of the forward lights an any combination you like.
3rd brake light: Cibie Tango fog with red reflector.
Reverse light: Cibie Tango fog. Operates when reverse is selected, with override switch on dash panel. So you can annoy tailgaters if you want.
Hazard flashers, alarm siren.
Period "Fixlight" B pillar turn signals.
Aftermarket heater/defrost, momentary high beam flash, air horns, windshield squirters.
Pedal box from Volvo 122 to facilitate moving the brake master cylinder up high on the firewall and away from gravel or other road debris. Clutch hydraulics include a Wilwood master cylinder, stainless flex line and stock slave cylinder.
Stock speedometer is fairly accurate, but odometer is approximately 15% optimistic. Car is fitted with a TerraTrip 303+, Version 4 with sensors to each front wheel. Easily recalibrated should you fit different sized tires. Original temp and fuel gauges work well; original oil pressure and ammeter have been disabled but were working when brought out of service. Oil pressure gauge, Voltmeter and digital O2 monitor connected to 3 wire Bosch Oxygen sensor. Warning lights include Oil, Amp, Reverse lamp, cooling fan and spot light indicators.
Original hood hinges have been removed to accommodate oversized radiator. Original trunk hinges have been removed. Hood and trunk are lockable and easily removed for service.
Stereo: Pioneer AM/FM/CD, 1500W Blaupunkt 4 channel amp; front: 5" Blaupunkt speakers; rear: 5" older Blaupunkt speakers and Pioneer TSX200s.
This is a fun old Volvo. Gets lots of attention and happily cruises at 85. It would probably happily cruise at higher speeds, but I haven't really done that. Though a noisy and visceral experience, it's not at all finicky and is easy to drive in regular traffic.
US$15,000 ONO.
Many/most of the changes to the car have been covered in this blog.
If that link doesn't work, try this: http://swedishrelics.blogspot.com/
Paint shows its age. It's single stage lacquer but polishes up ok for a daily.
Engine is a highly modified B18. Head has been ported and fitted with B20 valves, hardened seats and stiffer than original single wound springs and aluminum retainers. This engine revs easily to 7K. Forged pistons, approximately .060" over, H beam rods, balanced crank, 12lb chromoly flywheel, baffled oil pan, Schneider 274 cam. 45DCOE Webers on TWM intake manifolds, dual outlet exhaust manifold, 2.5" exhaust.
M41 transmission from 1975 240. Works perfectly.
55amp Bosch alternator and adjustable charging regulator. Later model (740 or something) permag starter.
Rear axle: 1973 Volvo 142. 4.10 open diff, rebuilt calipers. Rear suspension is original configuration, fitted with Lesjofors sport springs and Bilstein shocks. This car does not have a parking brake.
Front crossmember/suspension/brakes/steering: 1973 Volvo 142, 450# front springs, ipd front sway bar. Steering is light and precise.
Front calipers were new, not rebuilt, when installed approximately 20K miles ago, Wilwood dual master cylinder is split front/rear with adjustable proportioning valve. Stainless flex lines. Note that the brakes are not power assist. They'll absolutely stop the car, but you gotta use more leg muscle than with whatever car you're driving now.
Urethane bushings throughought, Bilstein shocks front and rear
17 gallon fuel cell is not certified for competition. But it holds a lot of fuel, which is pretty handy for road trips.
Wheels are stock steel 5x108, secured with 2" Kaplhenke Racing wheel studs. 185 65 standard issue tires. Will include 6 spoke Naiad wheels (V70XC).
Very rare dealer installed popout rear side windows.
Cibie H4 headlamps with City Lights, wired through Bosch relays and tucked behind steel stone guards.
Wipac fog lamps, wired through Bosch relay, on 3 position switch. Switch Up = always on; Switch Middle = always off; Switch Down = on with low beams.
Wipac spot lamps - wired through Bosch relay, on 3 position switch. Switch Up = always on; Switch Middle = always off; Switch Down = on with high beams.
You can run all or none of the forward lights an any combination you like.
3rd brake light: Cibie Tango fog with red reflector.
Reverse light: Cibie Tango fog. Operates when reverse is selected, with override switch on dash panel. So you can annoy tailgaters if you want.
Hazard flashers, alarm siren.
Period "Fixlight" B pillar turn signals.
Aftermarket heater/defrost, momentary high beam flash, air horns, windshield squirters.
Pedal box from Volvo 122 to facilitate moving the brake master cylinder up high on the firewall and away from gravel or other road debris. Clutch hydraulics include a Wilwood master cylinder, stainless flex line and stock slave cylinder.
Stock speedometer is fairly accurate, but odometer is approximately 15% optimistic. Car is fitted with a TerraTrip 303+, Version 4 with sensors to each front wheel. Easily recalibrated should you fit different sized tires. Original temp and fuel gauges work well; original oil pressure and ammeter have been disabled but were working when brought out of service. Oil pressure gauge, Voltmeter and digital O2 monitor connected to 3 wire Bosch Oxygen sensor. Warning lights include Oil, Amp, Reverse lamp, cooling fan and spot light indicators.
Original hood hinges have been removed to accommodate oversized radiator. Original trunk hinges have been removed. Hood and trunk are lockable and easily removed for service.
Stereo: Pioneer AM/FM/CD, 1500W Blaupunkt 4 channel amp; front: 5" Blaupunkt speakers; rear: 5" older Blaupunkt speakers and Pioneer TSX200s.
This is a fun old Volvo. Gets lots of attention and happily cruises at 85. It would probably happily cruise at higher speeds, but I haven't really done that. Though a noisy and visceral experience, it's not at all finicky and is easy to drive in regular traffic.
US$15,000 ONO.
