Though I’ve been somewhat avoiding FB these past few weeks, I have successfully tailored the site to mostly car-related stuff and car-related people. I still like checking out Marketplace, even if just for my own amusement. But it has paid off. Back in February, a local lady was selling four 98-02 Lincoln TC Cartier chrome center caps. They were so cheap I couldn’t resist. And recently, when I lost one in traffic, I wasn’t worried about having to go to the dealer and paying $90 for a new one. Yes, they still make them.
Anyway, recently on Marketplace I spied this 1975 Volvo 164E in relatively nearby Macomb, IL. I hadn’t seen one in years, and this one appeared remarkably decent.
The 164E was Volvo’s luxury model. It was based on Volvo’s bread and butter 140 Series, but had a stretched nose, six-cylinder instead of four-cylinder power, a very Britannic-appearing front end, more chrome, and more standard features.
And like Nash in the 50s with its Statesman and flossier Ambassador models, the 164E had a stretched nose to accomodate its longer inline six B30F engine. And like the Nash it did not translate into any extra passenger room, as all the extra inches were contained within the front clip.
In 1974 it received the giant bumpers seen on our featured car, and in its final year, 1975, there were very few changes. I’ve liked them since I was a kid. My parents drove 240s and 740s, and I frequently accompanied my mom when she’d bring the wagon in for service, back in the ’80s.
I remember seeing one or two of these in the service bays at Lundahl Volvo, and was intrigued with their ornate schnoz, leather seats and instrument panel, which were similar yet different to my parents’ ’84 240GL sedan and ’86 240DL wagon.
By ’75, standard equipment included air conditioning, power front windows (yes, you read that right-power front and manual rear windows-those wacky Swedes!), power steering, power brakes, the aforementioned six cylinder engine (with fuel injection, that’s what the ‘E’ in 164E designated), an electric rear window defroster, leather seats and tinted glass.
Anyway, this one is at a used car lot in Macomb, with an ask of $3500. Clearly the owner knows nothing about ’70s Volvos, as most of the inventory is late model Explorers and RAV4s. No description in the ad, which can be seen here, other than 123,000 miles. And it’s listed as a ‘Volvo GLE’, despite the large ‘164 E’ emblem on the back end. Oh well…
Looks very decent, but that cover on the rear seat makes me wonder if perhaps previous owners had large dogs and the cushion is torn to shreds. Why cover it up if it’s five-by? But still, a pretty cool survivor!
Though my favorite color combo on these is the ice-blue metallic with baby blue leather for that full-speed-ahead ’70s vibe!
Image: SM Classic Cars