1967 Volvo Amazon

It’s software coding language, just something that’s ironically stuck with me through the years. “Go the frame” repeats the frame in an interactive media interface.

Jason Carrol

I’ve wanted to bag a car for a long time. Drew inspiration from the euro culture. Had to have original interior and a usable trunk. Want the rest to be clean. Originally had other wheels in mind, smaller 16s with a little poke. Big Mike, the suspension fabricator wasn’t too keen on the idea. I had entered an Instagram contest to win Rotiform Monoblock wheels for Christmas and won! Wasn’t sure how it was going to work out with tucking 19in wheels but it came out great without too much fuss. Mike would have loved the look too.

I spoke to Big Mike several years ago about bagging it and he said give him a call when I was ready. Jump to August 2019, and the time came. Went under the torch in that September and emerged in March 2020 during the beginning of Covid restrictions.

This is my first “build.”

Interior is coming back out for sound deadening, paneling fixes, rewiring and headliner. Larger air tank and an additional compressor. Long term, engine and transmission rebuild, body, paint and trim. Custom wheels.

Previous owner had since 1971 and put a documented 376,00mi on the 5-digit odometer but estimates it has half million miles when I acquired. Engine swap to a 1975 Volvo B20 engine. Decked head, street cam. Transmission swap from standard M40 4spd to M41 4spd with j-type Laycock overdrive from a 1970 Volvo P1800. I flew out to Eugene, Oregon with one of my brothers. Owner and his wife picked us up from the airport. It was a late flight, we landed around midnight but with the first opportunity to drive the car I test drove until around 2am. Long day. Owner put us up in his house for the night. Next morning organized a crate of spares to be shipped back home to Indianapolis. Then we were in our way, 2500mi road trip. But first a jaunt to the west coast and the 101. Time became a factor and a 5day trip had to be turned into 3. So after the coast we trekked to Bend Oregon for the night. The next day we set off, 2days nonstop. Early in the trip team into issues with a leaking pinion seal, but topping off at every fill up seemed to work. Got home, and enjoyed the next couple years as was. Previous owner had lowered it with lowering springs. The rear springs likely suited for the heavier wagon model put a lot of rake in the stance. I cut out about 2in and evened it out on the 15” aftermarket steelies with moon caps wheels. The wheel search began and actually still continues. The trouble I ran into is the Ford 5x4.5 bolt pattern, while common, doesn’t offer many period correct European styles - lots of American hotrod options. But I have an idea I want to try to pull off a subtle euro look.

Big Mike Mendenhall and all the guys with Uncle Bubs Garage. Andrea and the kids for putting up with me. My brother Matt for shooting ideas back and forth. VP Autoparts for the wide selection of OEM Volvo parts, accessories and interior.

2003 Mini Cooper R50

Volvo B20 1975

4

2.0

Decked head, hardened seats, street cam. Twin SU HS4 carburetors.

Polished valve covers. Petronics distributor conversion, Flame Thrower ignition. Converted from 6v generator to 12v. Custom machined HO GM alternator. Customs SS exhaust.

Spicer 27 (Dana 27)

4:10

Titus Transmission

Custom front cross member, rear spring perches relocated.

Uncle Mike’s Garage

I think it was like 8 from OEM

KYB

KYB

Custom

Single Black Viair 444c

Slam Specialties RE5, Firestone Sleeve airsprings.

Rotiform LMR-M Monoblock

Rotiform LMR-M Monoblock

19x8.5

19x8.5

215/35

215/35

OEM Volvo 91 Light green

Lanquer

VP Autoparts, made in Sweden on OEM templates. Dark green vinyl.

Self