The Volvo 262C was not, as one might think, designed by Bertone and built by
Volvo. No, this Swedetalian was drawn up in-house by Volvo
designers, who then contracted with Turin based Gruppo Bertone to build the bodies out of
rust-magnet Italian steel. It was an odd choice, just like the thick
C-pillar chop-top styling - just like the idea of a Volvo luxury coupe - just like the idea that vinyl belongs on the roof of a car -- but somehow 6,622 buyers pickup one up between 1977 and 1982. Find this 1980 Volvo Bertone 262C with V8 Swap & 6-speed, here on eBay
currently bidding for $5659 reserve-not-met located in Duarte, CA.
Under the hood is a fuel injected 5.7 liter LT1 V8 from a 1990 "Corvette" that has been massaged by "the great Racing / Corvette, Kim Baker." The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and should make for an entertaining driving experience.
The interior features the number of aftermarket touches-- including a custom steering wheel, white face gauges, and Recaro sport seats. It looks remarkably well preserved for a 35 year old Volvo.
See a better Bertone coupe for sale? Send it here: tips@dailyturismo.com
interesting car, especially with all the "improvements" like that Corvette engine. I always worry about major swaps and if their suspensions, brakes, rear ends and other components have been upgraded to handle all the extra weight and power?
ReplyDeleteThis car looks 200% better than the average 262C for sale. And I mean cosmetically; mechanical upgrades notwithstanding. It still has the ungainly wide C-pillars but I like almost everything else. "So what" you say, "it looks like any other 1980 Volvo." Ah-ah-ah, not so fast. Visible changes:
ReplyDelete-E-code glass headlights to replace sealed beams
-Euro-only Group A style flathood eggcrate Turbo grille
-Later 86+ hood; flatter but doesn't match up with older style cowl vent
-Skinny bumpers from an '83-'85 240
-Volvo Polaris 17" wheels
-Vinyl roof delete
-Trunk lid spoiler
-Later 6-panel taillights to replace 5-panel
-Trim painted either black or body color
-Later mirrors painted body color
-De-badged
All of those things added up aren't on my usual "like" list but they work on this car, especially with the color.
Here's a stockity-stock 1980 262C for reference.
[img]http://www.carsopy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/volvo_262c_bertone_black_1980.jpg[/img]
Yeah, the late 240-ish teal really works here - and it looks as though it was shot between the PRV6 removal and the LT1 install, from the underhood shot. Other than the steering wheel, I've no complaints.
DeleteI like these "TV Screen" E-code headlights so much that I put them on my own beige 242. They were only available for a few years in the early '80s on certain trim levels of the 240/260.
Delete[img]http://i.imgur.com/xk0WFh3m.jpg[/img]
Guessing he's had trouble smogging and registering it on CA. Still no plates. That'd be my fear.
ReplyDeleteLooks like some kind of east-coasty inspection sticker on the windshield? MA? VA?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteLooks like MA, where the seller states he purchased it from
Delete[img]http://massvehiclecheck.state.ma.us/images/barcode.jpg[/img]
yeah....I see no Cali plates.
DeleteI love this car and I am not even a Volvo guy. Or a SBC swap guy, either. These things were no hot rods with the original lump and this swap should make an already quirky-looking car awesome. Not a rat rod, not a hot rod, and not really well-know enough to be a sleeper, but somehow hits all the right buttons.
ReplyDeleteIs this an easy swap to do? I've never seen this combination before and it is an absolutely stunning car.
ReplyDelete