Volvo 164

The lines of the 164 came from the pen of Volvo designer Jan Wilsgaard and were first seen in the late 1950s as a larger prototype excersize called the P358. The 164 was introduced in late 1968 and the last model year was 1975. It was considered an upscale offering as compared to the nice but more utilitarian 140 series of cars.

The 164 was powered by a OHV straight 6 cylinder engine, the B30. It was a derivative of the proven B20 4 cylinder. Transmission options included a 4 speed (M400), another version with an attached Laycock d'Normanville overdrive (M410) and an 3 speed automatic (Borg Warner BW35).

Only offered as a 4 door saloon (or sedan), the 164 nonetheless shared many components with it's 144 sister. From the windshield rearward, sheetmetal was identical. The front was lengthened 6 inches to accomodate the longer 6 cylinder engine. Because of the shared components between the 140 and 164, several private parties have constructed 2 door and station/estate wagon versions with 164 front ends. Volvo is said to have produced a single 165 Estate which was given to designer Wilsgaard on the event of his retirement from his career at Volvo.