1958 Volvo

[mikep]

OK, so I grew up around a mix of stuff, from 52 Ford pickups (My dad still drives it) to Cyclones and a 62 Lotus. I had a 1950 Ford 2-door with a flathead 6 for a few years in the late 80s, but it was too typical. And although I have friends with cars from the 30s, that's not my era.
So when I found a 1958 Volvo PV 444, I decided to put my mark on it. If that's not your cup of tea, cool. I like the differences in people, so whatever you like is OK by me, just don't hate me for liking something odd and "foreign".
http://www.pbase.com/mperry/image/18258313

Anyway, I teach auto mechanics, I do a bunch of consulting and building for road race, autocross and drift, but I really respect earlier custom styles.
Feel free to add comments and ideas, and I will post some of my ideas.

Mike Perry
Delmarva

[sgtlethargic]

Welcome,
Kurt

[chopnchaneled]

welcome,
pv444's are neat cars, are you going to keep the original drive train?

[HEATHEN]

welcome,
pv444's are neat cars, are you going to keep the original drive train?

The good old days, when european car companies copies U.S. designs.

[mikep]

welcome,
pv444's are neat cars, are you going to keep the original drive train?

I considered it, since I had some speed parts for the B18 engine that the 544 had. But I have gone through several ideas for V6 conversions, etc.
The best idea yet is a bigger Volvo engine, probably a B23, with a turbo and a T5 trans.
I will be using a different rear and home-brewed front suspension, with steel wheels. Not sure about hubcaps. Burgundy paint, stock dash, different steering wheel and seats.
It really needs something different in the grille department.

[Hellfish]

I freaking LOVE old Volvos! I used to have a '67 122s. Great car. I'm going to the Vintage races up in WI this weekend and the featured marque is Volvo. FYI, Tom Waits used to own a PV544.

Welcome aboard!

[olddaddy]

My dad built one of this type Volvo back in the 60s when it was still a fairly new car. He was a reall tiny little guy and liked the smaller size since a 40 Ford was like a cave with him behind the wheel. I'd love to find this model Volvo in a wagon, I think they were called Duettes, very cool little cars. I'd stick with a Volvo drivetrain, one of the later ones with a five speed setup. Also really liked the blue wagon on your picture page, nice work you guys do in your shop.

[Landseer]

Welcome! Hey, let me know if you stumble upon a 66 or 67 1800S in your travels. I miss mine. Got it airborne once.

[KoppaK]

Us Volvo guys got to stick together, welcome.

[chopped top]

I've got a 63 544 along with a 34 truck and 36 sedan and 41 coupe. I drive the volvo alot. It really pisses off my buddies with very high dollar cars when the volvo gets more attention. Welcome, Mark

[greatbg]

Welcome to the HAMB.

Volvo's kick ass. :D I had a '64 544 and miss it greatly. I now want a 122 estate wagon.

[epinut]

Welcome, your PV should be a 544. -57 was the last year for the 444, (unless they used different numbers for the US market). The B18 engine came -62...

[Janne]

Welcome from Finland!

Here is my 1963 544. I changed rear chassis from Volvo 240.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v654/Kutja-Art/Volvo%20Kustom/

Here is one kustom design I did:
-frenched headlights
-kustom grille
-chopped & hardtopped roof
-original hupcaps with relly wide trim rings.
-welded one-piece bumpers

[Redsled]

OK, so I grew up around a mix of stuff,
Mike Perry
DelmarvaWelcome from Georgia...Redsled

[Zerk]

Welcome, the project sounds great. One day I'd like to get another 122S and try out a few custom ideas. The older Volvos are a lot of fun.

[mikep]

Thanks for the replies.
I have some custom mags from the 50s (thanks, Dad) that I have memorized, and I think a few tasteful body changes are in order.
I don't have the title yet, so the exact year and model is still a mystery. I am going by the previous owner's word, and he has a dozen or so of these, as well as Amazons. He has a 220 (122 wagon) with a fiberglass front end, but it's a rust heap.


Janne, nice work.

Hellfish: Nice username.
"FYI, Tom Waits used to own a PV544."

Very cool. One of my alltime favorite musicians and eccentrics.



Fellow Volvo people, if you need any more Volvo info, look me up on turbobricks. I feel all warm and fuzzy here, though. I was somewhat surprised; I suppose I expected purists to kick me for not having a deuce. Sorry for that assumption.
I will post pics as soon as I get started on the body and suspension.

[Customikes]

Hey Fellow Volvo fan. Late welcome:D

Got any pix of the 58 to share still?

Mike

www.Customikes.com (http://www.Customikes.com)

[rc.grimes]

The old Volvo's are great! Welcome from MD.

[firstnomad]

welcome to the H.A.M.B.

[ratfink56]

the tailights are 544. 444 had little round ones in the late 50s. 444 had split windshield, 544 did not. 444 had round speedo, 544 had long rectangular. 444 had a neat banjo steering wheel while the 544 had a plastic 2 spoke wheel. 444 also had smaller back window than the 544. 444 had 3 speed trans, 544 had 4 speed. they were interchangeable. hope this helps to id the car. since the vin plates on the firewall were held on with screws it was easy to switch them from car to car.