for some reason, im looking at 164's, the surprising Volvo
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Specifically, the 164e.
Powered with the B30 inline-6, which was just a b20 redblock with two more cylinders and just as beefy.
However, the E version of the car and engine had 175hp and torque, and depending on the day, would out accelerate a base model corvette of the day (which itself only had 190hp...BASE model I say!)
Now, now matter how interesting jag-like the front end was, the behind view was rarely pictured in any advertising.
This was their luxury model designed for Mercedes-like categories. It had massive leather, and a manual transmission (m400) upgraded from the 140/1800 line and could handle twice the torque of before. Although the Engine was a tractor based unit, with a non-crossflow head, it was still a very good head and has been pumped up.....about three weber carbs should do it...
Or some rally builds...
It looks funky, and displays how Volvo made the 140 basic structure last for thirty years across the 140/160/240 series. It was described as a completely comfortable luxury highway cruiser. It is nice. But....it's just so funky!
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@GrindIntoSecond oh.....that is not the 164 i was expecting
tho...admittedly...i only just noticed the headline doesnt stop after 164
welp...the volvo is probably more reliable....i mean... 30 year old alfa is kinda asking for trouble
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@GrindIntoSecond Cool and underrated cars, although I recommend steering clear of the really silly bumpers.
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Ah yes, the Vanden Plas Volvo. Probably more reliable than the British ones
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@GrindIntoSecond
I have fond memories of my manual 242GL …2 more cylinders would have made it even better. -
I had an 1800. Nice that the 164 has some sort of power steering.
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@GrindIntoSecond I remember the 164 from when my parents were car shopping in 1974. At the Volvo dealer, I remember the 164 was looked at and disregarded as too much luxury, more power than Dad wanted with lower MPG numbers.
We ended up with the 144 Brick. We did get the manual with cloth seats. This car's acceleration was best described as "gaining momentum". -
@GrindIntoSecond IIRC the early '70s featured some quality issues for Volvo and the 164 was so afflicted, no doubt affecting Volvo's intention to push upmarket with this model. I've always liked how these look but now upon closer inspection I realize that it's just a wacky front end on a 140 series, though the straight six (later used in the C303) feels like a lost opportunity since they gave up on it in favor of the ill-fated PRV V6.
I hate to be that guy, but uh....
I'll take the Volvo
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@ClassicDatsunDebate that’s what I was thinking. I had the ‘79 DL
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164?
@farscythe said in for some reason, im looking at 164's, the surprising Volvo:
@GrindIntoSecond oh.....that is not the 164 i was expecting
tho...admittedly...i only just noticed the headline doesnt stop after 164
welp...the volvo is probably more reliable....i mean... 30 year old alfa is kinda asking for trouble
Hi
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@dogisbadob ha!.....i didnt know that was a 164....lovely blue tho
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@GrindIntoSecond https://opposite-lock.com/topic/67258/hour-rule