I'm considering putting Hot Stuff up for sale.



I just got out of the hospital after 6 months, and there's no telling if/when I'll ever get to drive her again.

For those who don't know Hot Stuff, she's a '64 PV544 with a 1975 Volvo B-20 engine. The fuel injection has been replaced with S.U. HS-6's and she also has the Volvo Borg-Warner 35 automatic. The valve seats, of course, have been hardened.

I tried starting her up last week, but she only ran on two cylinders. I'd say she has a small carburetor problem. I'm sure I can fix that in a few minutes, but I just don't have the strength right now. Otherwise, I have a nice duplicate S.U. book and the adjusting tools.

She likes 97 octane gasoline. I know it may be a little hard to believe, but before I went into the hospital I was getting 30 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. Take THAT, Honda!

Since the last tear-down (just checking for potential problems) I've used synthetic oil. Although they claim that you can go 10K miles between changes, I change it every 3K miles.

The engine compartment is detailed to a T, and all the aluminum (intake manifold and both carbs) were hand-polished by me. They look like chrome, only better.

I also made a set of air cleaner boxes that accept Spectre filters. The covers are chrome and lock down with just one bolt each. Much cheaper and nicer looking than the stock setup. You can, of course, re-install stock Volvo filters if you wish.

It would take a sharp eye to figure out that she doesn't have the engine and transmission.

Shifting is through a B&M shifter, which has always seemed to me to be a little far from the seat. But again, she has an automatic, so shifting isn't a big thing.

I have a very nice shifter that I bought just before I went into the hospital, so of course that is included.

The wheels are slightly wider than stock and she has a good set of Michelins on her, including the spare.

I removed the stock hubcaps and put on Baby Moons, which gives her a cleaner look. I also installed a set of 2" trim rings and painted the wheels to match the body. Of course, the stock caps stay with the car.

I have a fair selection of PV544 parts, lots of gauges and some other things.

I had an MSD6A ignition on the car, but it stopped working and I installed the stock distributor guts. MSD will fix the ignition module for $100 (flat rate) so if you want to use it, you can get it fixed very cheaply.

If I were to re-install the MSD6A, I'd put it inside the car up under the dash so it would still look stock under the hood.

I didn't know that those old Volvo gauges read on the high side, so I thought she was overheating. I put in an aftermarket temp gauge, and it says she runs cool even here in the Desert on a hot day. Just in case, I installed a Flex Fan.

I have a good working Volvo Bendix AM/FM radio installed, but the real stereo resides in the glove box. I'll be keeping my stereo, but the Bendix works fine. I also have a radio delete plate here somewhere.

The trunk and door locks use different keys, but any locksmith can re-pin the trunk lock for just a few dollars. We have a ZERO crime rate here, so I rarely bothered to lock the car.

You can, of course, lock the doors. The ignition switch has the old stock button under the dash, and that works great. I have a stock armored coil here somewhere.

I also have the correct and complete tool kit in its bag. Actually some extremely tools in the kit.

Hot Stuff also has the trailer hitch, but it needs a couple of bolts to be solid and usable.

Color is non-stock. GM Medium Garnet Metallic. I forget the code, but DupliColor sells rattle cans and touch-up pens. The paint is fair over all, but Hot Stuff was left out in the weather all this last summer and a lot of the clear coat has started to peel.

There is one very slight dished spot on the driver's side rear fender. That's from where my trailer blew a tire and the car jackknifed. If you can even see it, it can be popped out with a lead bag. No paint damage there! The trailer exploded when it hit the car, but nearly invisible dish as described above.

There is one small dent in the right front fender, about 1" across. Someone backed into Hot Stuff in a parking lot.

Interior is stock pattern, but has vinyl and red upholstery. The last time I saw the car the vinyl was starting to crack and the red cloth inserts were somewhat faded. It would be very cheap to replace the black vinyl and get the cloth inserts re-dyed. Headliner is black vinyl, in perfect condition.

BONUS: I have a nice PV444 'banjo' steering wheel that needs a little work to install on the car. I think those old banjo wheels look great.

Research shows that Hot Stuff has more than 400,000 miles on her, but she's a solid California car with no rust anywhere. I have her set up to handle like a sports car because I generally drive her through our local mountains. This tends to cause her to wander just a bit on the highway, but a few minutes driving he will give you the feel. Steering is tight and solid, no slop.

I have a perfect set of Volvo P1800 disk brake setups, so if you think you need more brake, the swap-in is extremely easy. I got the disk brakes, then didn't bother to install them since I rarely use the brakes. I raced cars for many years, and I'll tell you straight up, you don't go faster if you use the brakes!

I have installed very good driving lights on the front bumper, but I didn't have to drill any holes. Just unbolt them if you don't want them. Driving lights are wired through the high beams, so they go out when you dim your lights for oncoming traffic.

I also installed new headlight carriers and installed 150 watt Xenon bulbs.

With the high beams and driving lights on you can see all the way to China! :-)

I'll include instructions to make cornering lights for just a few dollars.

That's about all I can think of at the moment.

How much do I want for her? Well, it's more a matter of finding a good home for her than making a buck or two. I'd like to get about $10K for her(just a fraction of what I have invested in her), but she has to go to a good home.


Let's see if I can remember how to get to Hot Stuff's website.


http://www.geocities.com/steve_sms/volvo

Questions? Write to me at abarth.1000@yahoo.com

Why Abarth.1000 as an e-mail address? I have the only 1967 Abarth 100-OT known.

Think of a 1-liter Ferrari. :-P