Volvo RWD 444-544 Forum

Well, I got it to run, drive, and stop. Still plenty of things to work on.
I have accomplished the main goals I set for myself, even after several bouts of laziness and trying to talk myself into getting rid of it. The paint even polished up pretty decent. She has plenty of scrapes, bumps and rust spots, but It's worry free paint maintenance.

It's funny to watch people look at the car with a confused look as I drive by as if they are saying, "What the heck is that?"

dcLUAN cojxqcqcubfc , [url=http://dmxikrkdukws.com/]dmxikrkdukws[/url], [link=http://qwpnmpoulqsi.com/]qwpnmpoulqsi[/link], http://kfuykbsxkjag.com/

Wow--I totally just discovered my new favorite car!

Absolutely lovely, with a priceless and irreplaceable patina that oozes originality! Two things you don't want to mess with: original paint and California black plates.

Thanks.
I agree about the paint. It has the look I like, which is hard to find these days. I felt bad even polishing it, but it looks better and bluer with a little bit of shine. I sometimes like the oxidized look, but it wasn't looking right with some of the parts shiny. I didn't go over board though and just used very little arm power and some cleaner wax.
I just left the plates on and I keep my Washington horseless carriage plate with me in case I get stopped.

...she's a real beauty...new paint?...we don't need no stinkin' new paint!...

Note: Please assure your brakelights work with normal pedal pressure...you wouldn't want your fun to end abruptly because of that darn pressure switch! See: http://sw-em.com/safety_bulletin_4.htm

Cheers

Thanks Ron. I'll never paint it.
I'm trying to find a surfboard for the rack, but I keep missing out on the cheap ones.
Brake lights are working fine for now, but I'll keep an eye on them. Switch could go at any time I'm sure.

Thanks for the help along the way.
Glad I actually stuck with it and at least completed my personal goals.
Now to get busy with the rest of it.

She's a real Beauty, and kudos to you for perservering to make it roadworthy. I alway tell folks that my 544s are great Swedish Steel and rust SLOWER that American Iron.
Keep it, as you would be hard pressed to find another Duette as nice as yours!! You encourage the rest of us "Collectors"

544ever in Florida. 544s-2-1/2,760V8 Ford,'88 Bertone,F/sale-500OBO,'71 Burb-22'long!

Thanks.
You are right. I will keep it because they are too hard to replace. I usually have regrets when I sell stuff; Like when I sold my 67 Triumph Tiger.

Great! And you even have the rare and coveted roof rack!
Mine was the same blue and grey-beige, but is now in primer gray.
I'm in Seattle--if I ever get mine back from the bodyman,
we should have a Duett parade, that would be a hoot!

John

Thanks. I guess the curved rack is a little more rare than the level or flat one, but I'm not really sure.
That would be a short parade.
I'd like to see your duett when you get it done or running.
Do you have any pics of it before or now?
Sam

Sorry about the spam--I can't get the photos to show up.
Here are links to Picasa:

As I bought her:
http://picasaweb.google.com/53Bentlley/Journeyman_Seattle?authkey=Gv1sRgCP6YjtjYvNux7AE#

Restoration and rust:
http://picasaweb.google.com/53Bentlley/Restoration1#
http://picasaweb.google.com/53Bentlley/VovloDuett62008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWO8suzopKj1wE#
http://picasaweb.google.com/53Bentlley/VolvoRestoUpdate708?authkey=Gv1sRgCPmzrPC0q6CTGw#
http://picasaweb.google.com/53Bentlley/DuettMidAugustGrindingWeldingPRIMER#

Current:
http://picasaweb.google.com/53Bentlley/Duett5809539PM?authkey=Gv1sRgCPCardLL2bjebw#

John

Thanks for the pics John. Looks like a nice one and will be really nice when you are done. Even has the old green Washington plate.
There's a nice red and white one somewhere up here in Mount Vernon. I've seen it a couple times on I-5 over the last five years or so. A friend tells me he sees a rough red one in Marysville sometimes. I know there's more than a few in this state, but I think they hide out most of the year.
Sam

I think there are at least two more somewhere in the greater Seattle area. The owner of X Ray Automotive in Ballard is getting closer in getting his back on 7AE#the road.

Anyway--photos:

While in Seattle in March, I stopped in at Xray and saw one of two Duetts that was in the final stages of being converted to electric with a fork lift motor, meant as a short haul vehicle for their shop(?). Nice folks. I have a couple of pictures of the engine compartment that I've just managed to post in the Gallery.
These were taken with an iphone in low light, so quality not fantastic.





I'm still as always looking for that elusive Duett, preferably with a B18 nose. I'm ready to swap my wonderfully rebuilt B20 out of the rusting 122 here on the east coast.

That's kind of cool. I wonder what the top speed will be. I guess it would have plenty of torque to get around.
I've heard X-ray is a neat shop with nice people. I need to get down there some time and check it out.

I think there are at least two more somewhere in the greater Seattle area. The owner of X Ray Automotive in Ballard is getting closer in getting his back on 7AE#the road.

Anyway--photos:

WOW! Looks GREAT! I'm happy for you. Have fun... Paul

Dammit.. I've always wanted a 445 or P210.. I've managed to go all these years without buying one.

For some reason, seeing your post and picture this morning makes me *REALLY* want a 445 or P210.

Looks fantastic

--
-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Thanks Matt.
You should get one. There's actually a couple for sale on the IPD classifieds. I don't know if the ads are old and such. Of course there was none on there when I was looking to buy one.
Sam

Neat old car! Definitely should be on the road.
Congratulations!
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Thanks.
And another thanks for the help along the way.

Very nice, and very COOL! Cleaned up very nicely! 50 years old and ON THE ROAD!

Cheers!
OK

Thank you and another thanks for your help along the way.

I LOVE it! Keep the general public guessing...it is our only hope. Thank you for having the patience (and economic fortitude) to take one of these hardly recognized vehicles and put it back out there on the road where they belong!

Cool!

Happy 4th!

Can't wait to get mine running.

Paul

I like that older style grill you have on yours Paul.
Hope you can get it running soon.
sam