January 2009 Newsletter for Vintage Models

“What Kind of Car is That?”

That would be the number one question I am asked when driving the 1968 custom 122S that I have owned for 13 years. I have to smile as I tell them it’s a Volvo, because the first time I saw the custom metallic blue car, at age 14, I asked the same question. Luckily my friend Dan was with me as we stopped everything to look at the car back in 1986. Dan was right, it was a Volvo but not your average 122S.

Tim Trantham's 1968 122S

We looked for some sort of Volvo logo but were unable to find one. The car had lots of badges all over it. A small ipd sticker was on the windshield, Jazzman Custom’s, and GW Performance Center stickers were on the side windows. Through the stickers I was later able to track down an ipd catalog, and gain a much better understanding of custom Volvos and then purchase my very first car, a 1965 122S. After a rebuilt engine, paint job, full suspension upgrade and many hours of interior work I had a reliable car that I drove during and after high school.

I sold the red 1965 122 and tried out “new car ownership”. Making car payments and increased insurance was not for me so as soon as possible I sold my new car and purchased another 122S. A 1967 that was mechanically sound and I was able to pay cash for the car. This turned out to be a great decision. I was slowly fixing it up when I ran into some problems. I ended up at GW Performance where Rob Gordon was able to fix the problem and also inform me of a special car for sale.

It was the fall of 1995 and the beautiful metallic blue 122 was for sale. You quickly learn how supportive your wife is when you ask her to go get the check book. Fortunately my wife drove our white 122 to work and even helped me with little projects. After it sold in one week I was on the way to owning the car of my dreams, the amazing blue 122.

The car had been in several ipd Catalogs and garage sale car shows. Since purchasing it I have been able to learn more and more about the car. The previous owner had Rick at Jazzman Customs paint shop transform the car into a work of art. Up front the hood was shaved, an air-dam added with quick release fasteners. A set of custom laser cut blade flat iron bumpers were fabricated and added to both the front and back of the car. The rear deck lid was shaved, a custom rear louvered belly pan fitted along with dual exhaust and recessed license plate. Great care was given to the paint quality and color. After extensive body work the car was painted a beautiful dark metallic blue color which is still in great shape. The paint job is over 24 years old.

Every great car needs a great set of wheels. Oscam Turbo three piece racing wheels were purchased. Oscams are directional wheels that have a fan pattern in the center. They were ordered with the perfect offset allowing the wheels to fit but also maintain a very deep outer polished aluminum lip. As the wheel turns the fan pattern cools the brakes. I restored them a few years ago painting them the same color as the car.

GW did most of the mechanical work back in the day and did such a good job that the car has never been in the shop since I have owned it. After a very fast racing motor blew up at PIR a B20 was freshened up and installed. That’s the motor in it today. The previous owner blew the racing motor. The dual 45 Dellorto carbs, Misab manifolds, custom header and alternator were all added to the B20. The car has electronic ignition, electric fuel pump and a dual line brake booster.

The interior was also refinished in gray leather with a custom black leather dash and leather Italvolanti steering wheel. Several gauges were installed; Volts, Oil pressure, Exhaust Temp and a Tachometer. The suspension is all ipd with Bilstien Shocks. I appreciate owning the car and simply try to maintain it and drive it when the sun is shinning. I love working on the car and typically tackle one project per year. Recently I installed rear seat belts for the kids and had a good friend repair one of the Misab intake manifolds. I also re-bushed the upper “A” arms and replaced the steering column coupling. The car drives like brand new.

Most people that ask the question, “What kind of car is that?” -Follow up their question with a story about how back in the day they used to own a special car. A car that is long since gone. I have been fortunate to own a one-of-a-kind 122 and blessed to have some very special friends from the Volvo community. I hope it stays that way for a long, long time.

News from ipd

They Don’t Make’m Like They Used To - by Scott Hart

He was a true Volvo enthusiast and was also one of the funniest people I have ever met. Always in a good mood and a pleasure to be around. We’ll miss him dearly. Vintage Volvos were Scott’s passion. He had one of the nicest 544’s around and he loved to show it off. Every time I ran into him with his car, he would drag me over to look at it and explain in great detail the latest modification or upgrade he had made. He was so engaging with his stories that by the time he was done telling you about it, you were ready to go find a vintage Volvo of your own to start tinkering with. Thanks to Gary Ramstad for the picture of Scott with his Cherry Red 544 and Pat Priester for letting us know of Scott’s passing.