Photo:   James Ayash
Volvo 1800E  1972
Id: 2292

I was looking at Volvo websites and thought you might like to see what I did out here in North Dakota back in the late 1970s to my 1800e during the long winters when I was young and dumb and with too much ambition, little knowledge, and no money.

How does this look?  Want to street race?

It used to go about 150 MPH before the flares & 135 MPH after.  I have never been passed in the mountains however.  The last pictures show how tired it is but It still runs!

Specs:

Drivetrain:

1974 3 liter engine from 164 w/ 4 speed/overdrive transmission, driveshaft, & rear axel w/ 3.31:1 gear ratio (needs 3.75:1).

Suspension: 

Front: stock 1800  w/ cut down Volvo progressive rate springs, 164 sway bar, & Bilstein shocks.

Rear: 164 rear axel mated to the 1800 control arms with cut down 72 Impala front springs, stock 1800 front sway bar, & Bilstein shocks.

Wheels & tires: 

Front: 10" x 15" Centerline Drag Lite w/ 265-50 BF Goodrich TA.

Rear:  12" x 15" Centerline Drag Lite w/ 295-50 BF Goodrich TA.

Flares:

Owner built  steel.

Weight:

About 2300 #.

I cut the transmission tunnel out of the 164 and fitted it to the 1800. I also moved the heater to the battery location & battery to the trunk. A custom radiator was placed in the front nose.

Future plans after all kids go to college:  Tube frame & cage, 350 Chevy engine, Ford 9" aluminum independent center section mated to early Eldorado CV joints and spindals, and custom control arms in the  rear end, Corvette front spindles mated to a 164 front suspension clip if a 350 ci V8 will fit in, bigger tires on taller wheels & new flares.

 

James 19/10/06