Volvo 164

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Concept and history

The Volvo 164 was an automobile manufactured by Volvo from 1968 to 1975. The lines of the 164 came from the pen of Volvo designer Jan Wilsgaard and were first seen in the late 1950s as a larger prototype exercise called the P358 powered by a large V8, but the P358 was cancelled when the home market was found too small. The front was inspired both by the Wolseley 6/99 and the Volvo P1900. The 164 was introduced in late 1968 as a model year 1969 offering; the last model year was 1975. It was positioned, equipped, marketed, and priced well upscale of the more utilitarian 140 model upon which the 164 was based.

Engine and powertrain

The 164 was powered by a 3-litre OHV straight 6 cylinder engine, the B30, a 6-cylinder derivative of the proven B20 4 cylinder engine that powered most other Volvo models. 1969-1971 models were equipped with dual Zenith Stromberg 175CD2SE constant-depression carburetors. In 1972, Bosch's first volume-production electronic fuel injection system, D-Jetronic, was offered as optional equipment. Carburetors were dropped and D-Jetronic became standard equipment for the 1973 model year. Cars equipped with the fuel injection were badged as 164E models, the "E" standing for einspritzung, the German term for fuel injection. Like other fuel-injected Volvos, the 164E models gave improved performance and driveability with less-toxic exhaust emissions than their carbureted counterparts. Fuel economy, however, was not a D-Jetronic strength.

Transmission

Transmission options included a manual 4 speed (M400) transmission, which was known as the M410 when optionally equipped with the electrically-operated Laycock de Normanville overdrive. Both the M400 and M410 débuted Volvo's new "remote control" shifter, which used a conventionally short, vertical shift stick placed between the front seats. Manual-shift models aside from the 164 would continue until 1971 to use Volvo's direct-control shifter, featuring an extremely long, almost horizontal shift lever with its pivot point well under the dashboard. A 3-speed automatic transmission, the Borg Warner BW35, was also offered. The automatic shift selector was mounted on the steering column from 1969 through 1972, on the floor from 1973 through 1975. Despite its rough operation and inefficiency, the BW35 was popular in the North American market.

Body and chassis

The 164 was only offered as a 4 door sedan, and shares many body and chassis components with its 144 forebear. From the cowl rearward, body sheetmetal is identical. The front was lengthened 6 inches to accommodate the longer 6-cylinder engine. Because of the shared components between the 140 and 164, several private parties have constructed station wagon and 2 door hardtop versions with 164 front ends. Despite strenuous calls from North American Volvo dealers for a 6-cylinder Volvo station wagon, Volvo is said to have produced only a single 165 Estate car, which was given to designer Wilsgaard on his retirement from Volvo.

Descendents

When Volvo was developing the 262C coupé in the mid-seventies, a 164 was used as a testbed. The result was a two-door "162" with the chopped, vinyl-covered roof that would be found on the 262C. This car is today on display at the Volvo Museum in Goteborg, Sweden. As with the estate versions, some replicas have been made by enthusiasts.

External links

• Volvo 164 Club of Swedende:Volvo 164

sv:Volvo 164