OK, I will give it another shot... My build thread got deleted because it was an "Un-American car (mild custom of a 1962 Volvo PV544 - Looks like a shrunken 1946 Ford if you squint). I tried to build a "traditional custom" (I'm not fond of the show Kar show era Kustoms). 53 Buick head light bezels Molded fender skirts Custom grill De-chromed Nerf bars (a bit of a mixed era - common to hot rods) NOTE: Much of this work was performed by Smooth Engineering in Phoenix, AZ Spun aluminum wheel disks (3 screw) I did get my ******* wadded-up when my build thread got deleted - The European build threads seemed to survive... I felt better when it won the Koolest Kruiser award at Lead Ain't Dead 2020. It was driven there, including some stretches of old RT-66 and Old RT-666 (The "Devil's Highway" in AZ - a great driver's road in the mountains). The road trip thread did survive. Spring of 2022, we burned out 2 exhaust valves on a road trip to San Diego (Almost made it home -arrived at 3 AM on the back of a AAA rollback truck...). Long hours at 75 MPH (4,000 RPM) finally took it's toll. I'm now 79 years old, lots of "life-had-other-plans" occurred (I am extremely grateful that I was able to handle the challenges...). Fast forward to last week. I am finally back to working on the Volvo. The engine is 0.2 Liters bigger. The transmission is now a 5 speed overdrive manual (European Ford T9). Note: Rounded corner on p***enger - My small attempt at body work Driver door is a "work in progress". Also the drive train re***embly is a "work in progress". Today's project is concrete repairs... Russ
Always dug the early Volvos. They seemed the most normal, well built and fun of the post war Euro offerings. The UK stuck to mostly stolid stuff except the MGs, the French did wacky stuff with the 2CV and then the 4CV although the Simca and Peugeot were fairly normal. The axis seemed to go for rear engine (Fiat and VW). Yes, most places had infrastructure, economy and raw material issues, to say the least. And this viewpoint was colored by what showed up and stuck around over here, not the domestic feelings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cars_introduced_in_1947 Volvo kind of kept the economical but solid and sporty up through the 60s and early 70s.
And an update... My 5-year old thread just resurfaced: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/breakdowns-to-lead-aint-dead-2020.1206178/ And this thread needed an update... Short summary: Oh poop! The driver of the full-sized pickup truck almost got it stopped. The good news is no injuries! The accident report cited the other driver. And I was able to drive it 78 miles home. The bad news is that the uni-body is twisted to the driver side - A claim is filed with the at-fault drivers insurance company. I am expecting a total. If i get to keep the Volvo, I have home for this "parts vehicle" - only 3.9 miles from here. The longer story: I am now 81 - Going through a long stretch of "Life has other plans" and beginning the winding things down phase of life. The details are private to our family - I am extremely grateful that I remained healthy enough to be of ***istance. 3 years ago, I burned 2 exhaust valves on the way back from San Diego, CA (a few thousand miles at 75 MPH (4,000 RPM)). "HOLD MY DIET PEPSI" The engine came out for a rebuild and I ordered a rebuilt 5-speed overdrive transmission (T-9 from an English Ford) The process had many delays and set backs. This summer, I was driving it - but not in the heat of the day. 6 years ago, do to heart problems, I installed air conditioning (and received grief from some HAMB members who live where summer is a couple months of poor ice fishing...). I've never got the cooling system to keep up with a traffic jam in 100+ degree F weather. I decided to drive the Volvo to Lead Ain't Dead 2025 (I needed a respite trip...). The kids will cover me and I planned the trip. Some "ugly" realities: 1. I now need frequent bathroom stops (I managed not to soil myself, but I visited many truck stops on I-10, I-25 and I-40). This meant that the Devil's Highway US-191, formerly RT-666) and cross-country through Roswell, NM were ruled out. 2. A last minute weather check. 100+ degree weather between here and Ruidoso, NM. Gotta drive something else. RT-66 is not quite the same in a 2025 Toyota Tacoma <sigh>. I did eat the best-ever quesadilla in Santa Rosa, NM. Photo credit: TooTallOkie. My Toyota Tacoma is in the distant parking lot. A great reunion with friends (and making new friends) at Lead Aint Dead. And today brings: 1. Termite repairs on an outbuilding. 2. Chasing the progress on a "lost" prescription renewal - The clinic changed my provider - again <sigh>. 3. Chasing the status of the accident claim. Russ
That ****s about the accident, but you have a positive at***ude about it! I used to have a 122s and it's one of the few cars I want to own again.
Russ , was a pleasure to meet You at Dewey . Wishing you all the best . Good to hear Your ok hang in there
The Jalopy Journal
