Posts Tagged ‘164’

Manual B30 Box – 1969 Volvo 164

February 25, 2016

Volvo’s 164, though referred to as the Swedish Rolls Royce in some circles, never really won very much favor in North America. However, a decent number were sold here, and looking through listings for older cars will usually net you a couple. And of those, it’s likely that at least one will have the Boring-Warner BW35 automatic transmission, but if you’re lucky you’ll turn up one with the tough-as-nails M400 manual transmission (a quality it shares with the rear differential). Breathing through dual Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, it was good for a rather meager 130hp, but as you’ll see below, that situation can be improved. Styling-wise, you still get a box, but the front end is arguably the most elegant on a box, with a tall grill and a bumper whose center section drops to the grill’s lower edge. Check out this 1969 Volvo 164 for sale for $3200 in Hampstead, NH.

1969 Volvo 164 right front

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Alfamatic – 1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

October 3, 2015

Continuing our search for family-friendly enthusiast cars with an automatic transmission, it didn’t take a lot of looking to find an Alfa 164. Many were sold in the United States, particularly in the coastal cities, and while it’s more of an expert-level car, it’s got the appeal of that amazing Busso six-cylinder, which can’t be stifled by the automatic. In fact, the interesting thing about the automatic on the 164 is it does seem to be set up to hold gears and downshift a bit more than your average automatic of the period. While the Pininfarina design of the 164L is beautiful, the six shiny intake runners are a kind of mechanical beauty you can share with anyone in the family. Just look away long enough for them to roll their eyes at you. Check out this 1991 Alfa Romeo 164L for sale for $2950 in San Mateo, CA.

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L engine

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