ClassicRoad.com Blog

Big News: We are closing this blog

2012-02-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

WHY: Because the new home page will be in blog format.

A blog is more dynamic that static web pages and who wants to be static in this social media era anyway??

Go to our home page now

2012-02-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

Got the frame back from paint. Snazzy!

2012-01-16T18:46:00.001-08:00

Rims: I had a set of blasted and powder coated 4.5 inch rims with nice classic Michelin XZX laying around so I bolted them to my Volvo 123GT.

It's amazing what a clean set of wheel will do for a car.

2012-01-16T07:33:00.001-08:00

Shielded:

Bought this deluxe windshield and stanchions from a friend.

Now I can't wait to work on the roadster. Discipline!!

Thanks Bob.

2012-01-15T13:29:00.001-08:00

Teaser:

Coming soon to a 32 5W near me: fenders!

Historic V8 powered Volvo 123GT

2012-01-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

This car was built by a gentleman by the name of Kenneth Öberg in Sweden in the late sixties.

It is me knowingly the only Volvo Amazon with a V8 that made it thru Sweden's stringent state inspection at the time. After this car passed, the Swedish government put a stop to modified cars by demaning crash tests on privately build customs. A sad day in history. I wish we had social media back then, it probably would have started a Swedish Spring.

Since then the Swedish authorities have backed off a bit and have created a modified and custom handbook for builders in cooperation with the builders.

The choice of powerplant for this car was an Oldsmobile aluminum 215 V8, equipped with all sorts of performance goddies. The Olds engines lent themself better to hot rodding as they came with higher compression. Today we would probably feel that is is a bit busy looking but at the time is was a milestone car.

2011-12-28T16:52:00.001-08:00

Saab story.
Most folks know by now that Saab is out of business. GM was not willing to let go of certain technology to the Chinese buyers. Was it justified? I don't know...
Saab was very advanced for the time and they were always innovative and creative while on the leading edge.

I mourn the loss of this fine company especially when I see these cars:

Who sez you have to have friends??

2011-12-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

...to lift your body off??

They just drink your beer anyway.

1. Just lift body.
2. Roll frame away.
3. Keep working.

2011-12-25T10:19:00.001-08:00

Working in the shop I glanced over to a pile of TIME magazines from 1970. I pick them up at garage sales to peel out the automotive ads.

This just struck me though. Look at the headlines:

Bomb Radicals
Protesters killed
America takes off on credit

Mmmm, have we learned a single thing?

Just saying...

2011-12-20T18:03:00.001-08:00

Got the headers back from thermal coating. Looks pretty snazzy.

2011-12-19T19:07:00.000-08:00

Fenders: humble beginning...time to add fenders to this coupe. I think this will add the old car soul back to this car. Stay tuned.

Nice original California Volvo Amazon

2011-12-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

From the old California photo album: Super nice Volvo Amazon

Check it out

2011-12-09T10:24:00.001-08:00

When did you deburr your rearend last?

Nine inch Ford getting final touches before powder coat.

2011-12-06T08:57:00.001-08:00

For Sale: Hot rod tires

2 ea 6:00 2 ea 6:50

For Sale: Buick 322 Nailhead with adapter and LaSalle trans

2011-12-01T22:31:00.000-08:00

Buick Nailhead 322 complete with bellhousing, clutch, clutch fork, throwout bearing and adapter and a a Cadillac La Salle transmission.

Comes with a 4 barrel manifold with carburator as well as some cool motor mounts. Was pulled out of a custom 1955 Chevrolet in the fifties and was not run since. The engine is very clean. The transmission has some really cool pin striping on it. See pictures.

See lots of pictures HERE

$1500 in Wa state. I can strap to a pallet if you want to arrange pick up/shipping.

Contact your editor on ClassicRoad.com

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing like the smell of mock up in the morning:

This is a Nailhead powered '31 Ford coupe I am working on.

2011-11-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

For sale: 401 Buick Nailhead engine.

Complete with starter. Ran when pulled and used only for mock up since. Comes with exhaust manifolds as well.

500 clams

Contact editor on Classicroad.com

2011-11-22T14:09:00.001-08:00

Does Hudsons make good customs??

Damn right! Keith's copper metallic cruiser is the chitz!!

Nice work!

2011-11-22T14:01:00.001-08:00

Dreaming of having time to work on the '32. Fenders is high on the wish list...here is some inspiration:

2011-11-19T15:44:00.000-08:00

Got something productive done on the Volvo GT today. The broken vent window was replaced with a nicer one.

One more piece to the puzzle.

Now I can vent...or not.

2011-11-19T04:50:00.001-08:00

Doors primed and ready to go.

2011-11-15T14:24:00.001-08:00

Gloss City. Well, the solids are gloss, looks great.

The wires are semi gloss to hide 80 yeard of imperfections. Will look good on the roadster.

For sale

2011-11-15T12:30:00.001-08:00

Chevy big block exhaust flanges with gaskets. 8 mandrel bent tubing and two two inch drop with flanges. $50.00 plus shipping.

2011-11-10T21:44:00.001-08:00

Not auto related but...
In follow up to the "then and now" pictures posted a few days ago...this is art work that is going away fast. This store or factory. is long gone and only the fading memories remains.
If you see art work like this, grab the camera and preserve it!

2011-11-10T16:30:00.001-08:00

Fall in to place.

After a crisp fall drive in the 122 wagon I walked to the car and thought this is pretty cool.

Yellow, Red and a dark Green Volvo.

Happy Fall to you!

2011-11-10T08:43:00.001-08:00

An old Volvo full of vintage wheels fresh from the blaster. 4 wire wheels for the roadster and 4 solid 16's going to a friend. Off to the powder coater.

R.I.P 123GT

2011-11-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

R.I.P 123GT

The last voyage. This car provided many parts to save another 123GT and several other 122's
Thanks!

Doors

2011-11-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

Check this out. When did you see an 80 year old door with NO rust?? ...and not even a door ding?

This is why we took the doors off the sport coupe. I expected to find the usual pin holes but nothing. The other door only has a couple, no biggie.

Best get some primer on these before Uncle Moisture shows up.

2011-11-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

The more things change the more they stay the same.
This is downtown Marysville, WA in the 40's. The war may still be going on.
Yeah, I want that truck too!

Same place, Nov 2011. Nice to see towns keeping their history.

I know, the truck is a bit newer.

2011-11-07T08:32:00.001-08:00

"Roller Nailer"

This is the fourhundredtwentyfive cubic inch Nailhead engine destined for a model A coupe I am building.

Should move along just fine.

Incredible Volvo 121S Amazon Custom

2011-11-05T23:35:00.000-07:00

Check out Jörgen's incredible Amazon here

2011-11-05T20:02:00.001-07:00

GT wagon!

I put the extra GT steering wheel to good use today. The car is now much faster as well.

2011-11-03T17:05:00.001-07:00

Exhausted: Got this spaghetti tacked up and hangers made.

Tomorrow I can buzz it and then off to the thermo coater dude.

2011-11-02T08:53:00.001-07:00

Got some exhaust built today:

Note electric exhaust cut outs. For off road use of course!

Roof done

2011-10-31T19:30:00.001-07:00

Got the roof stripped and welded in.

2011-10-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

Finally, got a chance to paint and install the hood.

It changed the whole car...I like.

Linky HERE

2011-10-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Just sitting there and sitting. We dig vintage cars just being used the way they are supposed to: as drivers.

This original paint Monte Carlo looks just right with those thin white line Goodyears.

No, it's not for sale...damn it !

2011-10-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

Wheels man, wheels galore !

Got my wheels back from straightening.

Now they can go to blasting...and then powder coating. The solids go to a friend and the '36 wires are reserved for the model A roadster.

Moving slowly but forward!

Cheers,

Rolf Åström

ClassicRoad.com

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"A man's got to know his limitations."

Harry Callahan

Volvo P-1800 50th anniversary meet in California

2011-10-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

See more here

2011-10-25T14:57:00.001-07:00

Check it out

Did I die and go to heaven??
About 7000 cubic inch of American torque on display at my local speed shop.
So what can I put that 427 SOHC in?

2011-10-24T19:45:00.001-07:00

"makes time stand still"

1959 Cadillac ad

Only GM with Body by Fisher could claim this.

They don't make them like they used to and that goes for the advertizing as well !

2011-10-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

In progress: hidden exhaust with electric dumps.

2011-10-24T19:39:00.001-07:00

More fog light madness: these are from S&M Lamp Co in Chicago. Maybe they should go on my '52 Chevy truck?

2011-10-24T07:58:00.001-07:00

Fog light junkie ? Are you? I am.

These are Raydots from UK

2011-10-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

In the "what did I do today" category:

How about a steel insert for a model A hot rod coupe?

Volvo roof has the right crown.

2011-10-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Borrowed these Bullit Mustang 17X8 ! wheels from my tire guy to see if they fit the Volvo wagon.

They FIT. Well, I would have to rework the brake line routing, steering stops and the center caps. But still, kinda intriguing.

Of course, this would put a new meaning to Armstrong power steering!!

2011-10-19T16:12:00.001-07:00

1964 Impala Super Sport. Is it too far gone? Probably.

Still a cool car. The parts may still help other Impalas back on the road.

2011-10-19T10:12:00.001-07:00

Super rare fiberglass Volvo at the P-1800 meet last week. P-1900 sports car. More pics later...

Cool Amazon

2011-10-15T22:55:00.000-07:00

Found on the streets of Seattle:

Shaved trim, widened rims and 240 seats. I am not a great fan of the snow plow but other than that: great eyeball.

Photo: Chris Shelton

Gotta love all old cars

2011-10-15T17:54:00.001-07:00

Whidbey Island can be a serious time machine at times. As I roared by a Park&Ride on my motorcycle I caught this pair of German finest in the corner of my helmet.

1971 Bus and 1971-72? Super Beetle flocking together like that perverbial birds of a feather...
Smiley bumper made from a park bench and rubber bungie trunk hold down strap are appropriate island options. Peace sign is mandatory.
Love old cars just being used...

Cool Swedish steering device...1958 Volvo PV/Duett 444 steering wheel

2011-10-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

This super cool wheel was found on "that" list. I don't even have a 444 but I had to own it.

I may even have to build a Volvo hot rod around it. Maybe I will create another horn button and put it in my '32 Ford?

Let's go to the swapmeet

2011-10-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

Linky HERE

Hooded

2011-10-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

Got the hood cleaned up and installed for fit. I am liking the look as it completes the body lines. Needs a bit more tweaking and then it can be painted.

Swap meet

2011-10-08T11:35:00.001-07:00

Mmmmm...1952 Chevy or 1967 Volvo wagon??

Weed burners

2011-10-06T20:51:00.001-07:00

Built these today.

Swindlers Poker Run

2011-10-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

Linky HERE

For sale

2011-10-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

The holy grail for Volvo 122 / 123 GT cars. Limited slip rear axle out of a 123GT.
Just pulled out of a 123GT. 4:56 ratio. Feels tight. Complete drum to drum.

$500.00 contact your editor on classicroad.com

Hooded:

2011-10-04T16:35:00.001-07:00

Hood...coming soon to a '32 Ford near me.
More soon...

Poker Run today

2011-10-01T15:29:00.001-07:00

Pictures coming...

Two worlds collide.

2011-09-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it sux to like all kinds of cars. Well, it's not really a problem but storage is!

1966 Impala wagon competing for space with a 1967 Volvo wagon. The Yanks and the Europeans sure had a different idea what a wagon should look like. Love 'em both.

2011-09-25T11:36:00.001-07:00

Look what followed me home! Original '32 Henry no rust fenders. More later...

Steel Blue Metallic Volvo 123GT

2011-09-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

Check it out here

2011-09-19T18:35:00.001-07:00

Better bumper for the Volvo GT:

Linky HERE

Got some work done

2011-09-08T22:58:00.000-07:00

...on the Volvo 123GT

Updates HERE

123S ???

2011-08-31T14:41:00.001-07:00

Have you ever seen one? Will investigate !

Wanted

2011-08-20T18:32:00.001-07:00

Six of these medallions for a 1966 Impala. They are on the door panels as well. In black. Leads apprichiated.

Proper use of a 1966 Chevrolet wagon

2011-08-19T17:22:00.000-07:00

The kid loose in the back with the rear window rolled down. This guarantees an airborne child in case of a roll over and if that doesn't work the kid will die from carbon monoxide poisoning during driving.

I am sure mom had a drink for the road and was smoking bare butt Pall Malls in the car.

Ahh, the "good" old days!

See more of a 1966 Chevrolet Impala station wagon

New Volvo article

2011-08-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

From VROM, a large annual classic Volvo meet in Sweden:

Linky Here

Mat's 123GT

2011-08-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

See more at:

http://www.classicroad.com/volvo/sheltonsGT.htm

Got alignment on the five window

2011-08-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

I was toeing out...now I am toeing straight ! That's a good thing.

Good use of a Chevrolet hood

2011-08-12T22:22:00.000-07:00

Mark's prewar hot rod roadster

2011-08-12T21:40:00.001-07:00

Nothing made before 1940 was used on this period correct roadster.

More on this car on the web site later...

Balancing beads, do they work?

2011-08-12T18:15:00.000-07:00

Read about it here

Blog Time

2011-08-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

So...it was finally time to create a blog in conjunction with the ClassicRoad.com web site.

The world is spinning at a good rate and a blog allows for more dynamic action when new articles are posted etc...