IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Classic Volvo 164 (volvo 140 series)

[@TVHouseHistorian]

Volvo was always a HIGH quality car whose luxury was understated. What I love about them is that they are absolute tanks, and they never go out of style.

[@DarrenVelSatis]

My dads was NUY461K the 164 competed with the Triumph 2500 and the Jaguar XJ6. Granddad would have loved baby's first journey! Yes you must keep the car original. OMG wow 15:14 I love that car so much. My dad bought one in 1982, almost 10 years old it was in lovely condition, in this gold which was very popular. Mum went mad because she said he would be chasing the ladies in the big Volvo. I think he only had the car for about 6 months but it went on to survive until 1999 after it was sold. It was the first car with a sunroof.

[@michaelheimbrand5424]

OMG, i just realized that it's been almost 28 years since even sitting in a 164. That feels a little bit sad. My first ride in one was in 1973. I had to go to the hospital to get born. And of course, my second ride was back home in a more existing state. Then a few years later i had my first accident in a 164. A really bad motorway accident. But none of us got hurt. Thanks Volvo! So here i am, because the 164. And the one i bought in 1991 was the last i have been in so far. And just to add to the cliché... I am also from Gothenburg Sweden. And yes. We are rather patriotic about these old ones over here. Although i strangely become a Citroën lover for a few decades. But for some reason i had a relapse. Unfortunately no 164, but at least a 245 and my daily driver is now a 945 that i rescued from getting scrapped. It was free but looked like a mess. And it had 540000 km on the clock. But after some cleaning and small nerdy repairs it feels like new. You might think i had to do some mechanical work. No. Just replaced all light bulbs in the dash, restored the driver seat and change the oil. Two years later, it's perfect. Takes no oil and is 100% tight. The high mileage only makes me love it even more. I still have over 15 old Citroëns. But weirdly, the 940 is my most "French" car. I knew it was not sold as new in Sweden, but a few days ago i discovered it was actually built for the French market and sold there as new. Thanks for a great video. PS. Volvo never built any 165's. There was a few built by independent body shops. And one of the journalists i Swedens best classic magazine has one of them restored to original condition. And that exact car nearly made me crash in the early 90's. I was on my way to visit my grandmother when this "glitch in the matrix" appeared in the opposite direction. "Wow, a 164" i said to myself just before seeing it was an estate. My brain almost crashed, and i was on my way to do the same on a lamp post. Ok, i have to stop talking now. I can feel another relapse is coming. Best bloody Volvo ever! And in Swedish with heavy Gothenburg accent: Bästa jävla Volvon nånsin änna!

[@Pfirtzer]

Everytime I see or hear a Swede I have to go back to that Swedish chef in the Muppet show of the70's talking an alien language noone understands.... 😄😄

[@richlee509]

They are great looking old buses

[@jamespiper8736]

Great story and you should indeed be exceptionally proud of swedens export, classic Volvos are superior to soooo many cars out there, even now! I have an early Volvo 940 as a daily car which is currently on 287k and still drives superb not to mention built like a tank. I hope to own one of these 164s one day too but for now, I best keep saving my pennies! All the best

[@fonziebulldog5786]

Several Volvos in my life and also the 164. These days i instead drive Citroën C4 & C6 but for sure remember those times in Sweden when the 164 was a luxury car. Those were the days. 😀❤️👍

[@devonnewest7990]

I feel almost like Im there with you, you really have a gift. And your enthusiasm for what you do is infectious!

[@jamesfrench7299]

That body shell lasted until 1993 and it was amazing how Volvo was able to keep selling it alongside their newer products. My absolute fave is the 264 GL that came after this in 1975 as the luxury flagship with it's mechanically injected PRV V6 and huge square headlights with the wipers and yet had steel rims with chrome hubcaps with V for Volvo I stamped in the centres like the 240. I loved that. The updated 264GLE with EFI that followed in 1978 with the same front but wraparound taillights received 'look at me' alloy wheels to set it more apart from the lower tier 240s and then the 80s version with the softer updated front followed. I like them also. There is one of each of the last two described I spotted in Sydney's south last year!!

[@gt-lv3zo]

i owned an oldish 164 in the 80's. It had come to the UK 2nd hand from Sweden when they swapped from RH drive to LH drive. I don't remember the model year but it had a different dashboard than the one shown here if I recall, with a strip speedo and square minor dials. It was a solid as a rock with far and away the most comfortable seats i have ever sat in anywhere bar none. The heating and defrosting function was fearsome. In the back seat you felt like a royal. It had a sun roof. Fuel consumption was 18 mpg with roof closed, 12 mpg with roof open. It had an unfortunate leak around the drivers door so the floor often got a bit wet but it never showed any sign of rust despite living near the sea. A guy under the railway arches in Chiswick used to service it for me very cheaply and always had a salvaged part when ever i needed one. It was an automatic and always felt a bit like cruising around on the river in one of those luxury thames varnished wood motor launches.

[@simonbarnwell7787]

As a boy I used to work for a farmer in 1975 , and he had a 73 164 in exactly the same colour scheme , and he regularly drove his into the potato fields , loaded the boot with bags of spuds and delivered them to local chip shops in it .

[@christianmolick8647]

This model was my mom's taxi while growing up until she put its safety features to the test by falling asleep at the wheel and driving into a tree. Thanks for the memories, and thanks Volvo for saving my mom.

[@bernardlowe7191]

I had one of these 164's in South Africa. Beautiful car. But an aunt of mine had the manual transmission version, and oh my what a performance difference! If you can find a manual car, grab it quick. But if it's economy you're worried about - start worrying. Extremely thirsty. But it's a high quality motor.

[@Gothamauto]

Agreed, the 164 is a bit thirsty but great fun. The 3 litre makes wonderful sounds and goes well. The manual transmissions tend to wear their synchros and whine a bit...but they will still last a very long time. I'd like one for a weekend runabout.

[@paulwaites4719]

Great well built car My friends dad had a brand new 164E in 1974 in the same colour,I never forget the time i first went in it 120mph as smooth as silk.

[@urshochstrasser8859]

One of my teachers had a 164. Although I am dyed in the wool Citroën man, I always liked this Volvo. So nice to see it on your channel!

[@et3645]

I just stumbled across this videa (3 years late) Well done! Excellent car. Having learned to drive in one of these in the '70s in Canada, I experienced great comfort, safety and handling without realizing it. Only in later years when i bought ny own cars did i begin to appreciate those things. I think the nost notable beauty of driving rhis was the steering. Not power steering as most north american cars had, but power assist. It was solid feeling steering at all apeeds. And the turning radius was like nothing I have driven since! That car could do a U-turn in twice its length diameter. (Under 16' long, under 32' turning diameter) Typical NA cars of the day would have been more like 18' long and have a turning diameter well over 43'. Dad towed his 20' full keeled sailboat behind that. And i recall riding from London Ontario to Vancouver in that with me and my two sisters in the back seat in 1974. An epic five day drive through Ontario, across the prairies and through the Rocky mountains to the Pacific oxean.

[@adrianmassey6673]

It's funny how some of the design features, such as the massive radiator grill are now back in vogue

[@OzBloke]

Certainly helps with the ‘cooling’ 😎

[@RapideWombaticus]

There was one of these, exactly the same parked a block from my house as a child. I'm 45 now... its still going and looks the same. That says it all

[@olabergvall3154]

Friends of my parents had one of these when I was a kid in the 1970's. I got to ride in it once and was very impressed, loved it!. The silky smooth 6 cylinder, leather seats, power steering and, for crying out loud, real air con - blasting icy air in the cabin on a hot summer's day!! My own parents had two Volvo 145's at that time, a red one and a blue one, none of which sported those features mentioned above. Those were good cars, but this one felt like a Roller by comparison... great memories, great car ❤

[@infidelzombie9382]

I was 18yrs old in 84 and needed a cheap first car. Picked up a 1968 164 that needed a clutch. It was cheap and I was mechanically inclined so I bought it. Beat the crap out of that car and it was a tank. It never failed and that 6 cylinder was a blast although it was thirsty even when driven sensibly. Loved that crap brown coloured car it was my best friend

[@chrisharkin3741]

This comment may be more appropriate on Hubnut, but... The wipers are as they came from the factory, but they are the wrong way round. The one on the right is cranked more to sweep parallel to the passenger pillar. The optimum would be to swap the wiper arms left to right, then swap the blades back so the aerofoil blade is still in front of the driver. My biology teacher had one of these cars in Australia in the 1970s, I pointed it out to him and he swapped them. It improved the sweep in front of the driver by about an inch and the left blade swept closer to the pillar. I reckon they simply swapped whole wipers when building RHD cars, so the aerofoil blade stayed in front of the driver but the blade angles are out of whack. You probably think I am mad but Hubnut would understand... Great video Steph. Thanks. Merry Christmas. It's Christmas morning here in Australia, I should have been putting the roast on but hey there's a classic car video to watch...

[@richardorchard5197]

I was working for the Volvo importer in Sydney in 1968 and got to drive a 164 on many occasions,I was very impressed with the 164.

[@chrisharkin3741]

@@robinjones6999 What is bollocks? The stuff about the wipers or the video in general? If you mean my comment about the wipers, definitely not bollocks. You might think it is not important, you are welcome to your opinion. But the wipers certainly cleared a little more screen in front of the driver when swapped. I remember it clearly. (RHD cars only.) And I'm not a "she."

[@stevenhaigh6337]

@@chrisharkin3741 you are right in that the wipers are LHD pattern. Volvo did not fit a conventional RHD wiper pattern until the (IIRC) 1977 model year 240. Unfortunately you cannot just swap them over though as the whole mechanism is different as is the panel work as the holes in the scuttle are in different places.

[@chrisharkin3741]

@@stevenhaigh6337 I don't mean swap LHD for RHD. I mean that the Left wiper and the right wiper are slightly different and the pair work better overall when the LH wiper is fitted to the RH Side and the RH wiper fitted to LH Side. They will still be essentially designed for LHD but the swept pattern will be SLIGHTLY better. I have seen them swapped, it works. It is just because of the slight differences between the two wipers on the car - they are not identical.

[@stevenhaigh6337]

@@chrisharkin3741 ahhh yes I see what you mean now. I'll have a look 😀

[@josephmckinney9660]

I have not seen a Volvo 164 since the 1980’s. Love the color on this one.

[@loveisall5520]

I'm old enough to remember when this was introduced in the US! Those period Volvo cars were legendary for their comfort, durability and reliability. Sadly not so much today...

[@mayflowerlash11]

Many people buy an old Volvo as a banger. And then they slowly learn to appreciate it and fall in love with the marque and the era. I bought a 83 240 GL as a stop gap. Then I traded it for a ... 84 240 GLE. Sold that because it consumed to much fuel compared to a modern 4 cylinder. Slowly the regret built over 10 years. Now I own a 93 940 GL estate and a 91 240 GLE sedan. They are a lovely car to own and drive.

[@rich_edwards79]

I've seen this car in the metal, at the Wakefield show a few years ago (before it was restored). My son, then aged 4, loved honking the horn with that 'bow-tie' control on the wheel. It was in lovely condition then, so I can only imagine how good it looks and drives after a full restoration. I own an '82 244, and despite being a lowly DL model it's still very well-specced for the period and a very smooth, solid, comfortable drive comparable to many modern vehicles. Volvo were *that* ahead of the time (especially when you consider the 240 was based on a 1960s bodyshell and remained in production until 1993. Visibility is excellent too in part thanks to the cut-out head restraints. Jans Wilsgaard (head designer at Volvo throughout its 'golden age') was in my view a car design genius and the fact that so many 1, 2 and 7 series Volvos survive, and have such an avid following now that they're finally being recognised as proper classics, is testament to that.

[@O1Richard]

I knew of someone who bought a Volvo 162 which was intended for banger car racing, it was instead broken up on the driveway then Scrapped. Volvo ran 3 digit model numbers, the first being the series such a 1 the second was the number of cylinders and last was the number of doors. The 1 series evolved into the 2 series as 240 saloon and 240 estate which lasted till the early 1990’s. It’s a great useable everyday classic and most parts are easily interchangeable.

[@arevee9429]

First time I've watched this channel and it's great to see a well informed woman doing car videos. I have always been a fan of Volvos, especially those from the early 70's and older. When I was a youngster, my neighbor's son got a 1971 164 and his parents, Chrysler lovers for decades, always drove Volvos from that point forward. Even the "lesser" models are a pleasure to drive. I had a 122S that looked like a junk heap, but drove fantastically.

[@MTSVW]

I love the aesthetics of this era of Volvos. That steering wheel is beautiful-almost like an airplane. When fitted with an A/C it was an enormous box under the dash where the clock is. I always thought the pivot points on the vent windows were quirky.

[@carlarthur4442]

Love that Volvo well made , I drive a Volvo estate but I do like the older Volvos. Great video. Good driving and great commentary. Well done 👍

[@davidhunt6463]

A neighbour of mine, Len Cooper, had one of these back in the 1970s. I can't remember the colour (it may have been dark blue) but I do remember the interior was dark red and looked totally sumptuous. I have always liked the 164, nice to see this one in such loving hands. Great review, thank you.

[@davidkeeling7468]

My favourite video so far . My daily driver is a 2004 Volvo v40 . It’s 15 years old and completely faultless. It’s so good I’ll be showing it at my local classic car shows next summer . Happy Christmas

[@DrBPhD]

From my own personal experience: a magnificent car to drive. Mine needs overhaul after being in my garage for a very long time now, but I drove a total of more than 60.000 km in it back in the days. I definitely need to get it fixed again. After all, it's more than just a very beautiful car. Its real habitat is out on the road!

[@knightofcydonia07]

Almost Rolls Royce Royce elegance. I took my A2 to a joint Volvo/Audi specialist last week and there was a dark brown 164 in their showroom and it looked so appealing.

[@TheClockwise770]

Lovely condition Volvo Steph . I owned a Volvo 144 ex taxi which had covered 216,000 miles and felt so secure when driving it but the 164 is much prettier and quicker too. I now have a Rover P6 3500 s and enjoyed your video on that white one as all your featured cars from the 1950s - 1970s. Keep testing those classics .

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I had a 1972 Volvo 164E. I went on the lot to get a Volvo, and had no idea what it was. This really was a luxury car. It felt different than the 144 (my sister had a 144). Quieter, more substantial, smoother riding, quicker acceleration. It's quite a different car than the 144 and that made me feel like Volvo was a luxury car maker, and not not tough, durable safety car others thought it was. In fact, many were surprised to see how nice my Volvo was because from the side, it looked like a 144. I actually had two. The first one was in an accident and I survived it fine.

[@joeseeking3572]

Thanks for the review. The neighbors behind us had a 73 or 74 when I was a kid. Best color, dark green with the butternut squash leather, auto. Got to ride in it sometimes. The seats were impressive. But to my American kid eyes, so much black plastic; 'proper' cars color keyed everything then. Not cheap either - looked at some price books - in 75 a 164 cost as much as an upper medium priced full size car - loaded at that; power windows, locks, seat, AC, stereo, and a boudoir interior. In 75 closest thing we had to compare was the then new Granada (arguably the first US luxury 'compact'), which could be equally spec'd, with V8 and still cost less. Volvos were seen as the sensible car for people with more money than necessarily sense - who wanted a small car that seated only 4/5 when you could have a 'real' 6 passenger sedan that was 2.5 feet longer to impress the neighbors :) Ah, hindsight.

[@adrianbarrett4544]

Love these. In 1981 my parents bought a 1973 blue 164 and as kids we loved riding in the back on family holidays!

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

Woah, a lovely 164. This came as a surprise. Always liked these. A joy to watch, and a credit to its owner. Lovely car.

[@dm5374]

Great video! I still remember - with longing - the '72 164E my dad owned. Bought new, burgundy over burgundy, automatic, A/C. Kept it only two years because of the terrible mileage (first gen catalytic converter - California spec). When in '76 he bought a 244 they still had a leftover new '75 164E at the dealership, and I begged my dad to reconsider...

[@mariaparatore7318]

This is an absolutely super car, and your videos have definitely heightened my appreciation of Volvo cars. In fact, the P1800 which was used in The Saint, was first built in the UK at the Jensen factory. However, Volvo were not happy with the quality of these products, switching the production of the rest of these cars to Sweden, bearing up your comment that Volvo have always been concerned about the quality of their products. This was a fantastic car, with elements of both 60s and 70s styling and managing to provide the best of both. The 164 reminded me a bit of some of the Rootes group products in tho 60s.

[@triodehexode]

Lovely car my dad was given a 144GL for his 40th in 1971 reg was SET 600J. It was space age compared to his 1959 Austin Cambridge the one with the big fins. This car Looks similar same colour . The dash looked more modern horizontal ribbon speedo. Had 4 cylinder 2l electronic ignition engine. You saw more of 164s in the 70s not many 144s

[@fivizzano]

THIS IS A CAR ! Great match with the 60’s outfit ! Good old days ...a MAGNIFICENT build quality, good performance and really CLASSY look... !

[@richlee509]

Solid motors

[@Mark1405Leeds]

Thanks for this video I loved the 164 which i think was better looking than the cheaper models. The round lights really suit it!

[@manos3790]

A farmer I worked for as a kid had one of these in metallic blue. He's recently had it restored (he's in his mid 80's) I recall the engine was whisper quiet and very powerful for the day.

[@olabergvall3154]

The metallic blue suits this car very well. It should be that, or the metallic champagne/gold

[@manos3790]

@@olabergvall3154 Totally agree.

[@paulbennell3313]

Guy who lived at the end of our street when I was a kid had one of these. It was a 1970 H-reg in white (they seemed to usually be either white or the same gold/copper as the car featured) and it had a red leather interior. I loved the way it sounded. My dad was a Ford man but he was really impressed with Volvo, just couldn't afford one otherwise he'd have had one. The 164 was a seriously posh motor at the time and was bought by affluent, forward thinking people who appreciated safety and longevity. Great to hear you've got another job Steph, onward and upward!

[@RobinCapper]

Drove my Grandfather's 164, in New Zealand, back in the 80s. It was an Australian one but he got it when lived on Norfolk Island. From, hazy, memory it was delivered there by sea but came to NZ from there by air in a Bristol Freighter

[@richlee509]

Cool

[@alfredsedgewick2184]

Out of curiosity, how did it measure up to other contemporary cars?

[@RobinCapper]

@@alfredsedgewick2184 I never drove its contemporaries but saw in a recent Autocar "Most underrated cars ever made" Steve Cropley (who would have been at Wheels Australia in that era) said “Better car than many people said: smooth, powerful, nicely built and luxurious. Old-school long-lasting Volvo, too."

[@michaeltutty1540]

Great video, Steph. Beautiful car. One correction, though. Volvo DID take out a patent on the 3 point seatbelts to prevent anyone else doing so and charging a license fee. Volvo did not charge any licensing fee for use of the patented equipment.

[@tony33herreras21]

Is my favorite car of alltime thank you so much.👍🏻

[@paullacey2999]

Beauty of a Volvo.Still see plenty older Volvos about these days too.When cars were made to last...

[@harrismi7]

What a neat car. It's nice that the owner drives it regularly and his family can enjoy it together.

[@JH-lo9ut]

Back in the early 00's my dad and I were hauling a boat trailer to a sailing competition. Half way there, the clutch on my dads saab 95 broke down, and somehow we managed to get it to a workshop. Since we still had time to get to the race, we started to look around for a rental. There is this "rent-a-wreck" place in Visby (Sweden) called "Micke's car rental" that always had the weirdest cars. We asked for something that could pull our trailer, and he showed up (yeah, Micke would deliver the car to you. Who knows how he got back again) in a light-blue Volvo 164. Chrome trim poking out in every direction, sitting down in it was like sitting your ass down in a hammock. I had never seen a 164 before that, never knew they even existed. The volvo got us there and back again. It was a beautiful summer day and the car was just wonderful to drive down the country roads with all windows down. I wonder what happened to the old volvo after that. Micke's car rental turned around a LOT if cars and you'd get the feeling that everything was for sale and that most of the fleet would not be around the next summer.

[@fivizzano]

THE OWNER IS UNDER AGE OF 30 AND RESTAURED IT HIMSELF ? HATS OFF AND 100 GUN SALUTE !!!

[@triodehexode]

Just looked at this again the heater controls were fantastic 3 rotary back light serrated wheels mounted vertically so easy to use and view. It made the Dash console uncluttered. The 144 had a grab handle near where the Radio is mounted.

[@timothyirwin8974]

After we had a 145 wagon dad got a 164E in 1972. It was fast and smooth. Perfect for Canadian roads. Exact same colour as this.

[@kemjones9911]

I owned a 1969 ,164 in the mid 70’s . Sad to say it was involved in a bad rear end accident . However the car was restored but with a change , to repair it I grafted the rear clip from a 145 wagon making it the first 165 wagon . It made a great car and drove the dealers crazy . Regrettably it ended up going to the happy crusher in the 80’s

[@andrewp9725]

Another great video! Nice to see you extending your repertoire of makes and models of anything classic!

[@Lord-Brett-Sinclair]

My metalwork teacher and boat builder Leon Pendergast had a grey one, he taught a Burnage high school in Manchester in the late 1970's. the car was a H reg I think. It was beautiful. He was an possibly still is a gem of a man who I am indebted for his teaching and patience.

[@davidanderson3425]

Credit to the owner. This is an excellent car in very good all round condition. I love the colour. The headlamp cluster and radiator grill look so elegant compared to later Volvos with rectangular headlights. I think Volvo were wise to use a fake wood dashboard. I have seen so many real wood dashboards that crack and warp due to temperature changes in the cabin. I was pleased to hear you have found a new job. Congratulations! Merry Christmas, Steph.

[@sofageek]

My dad had one of these the chrome around the windows was amazing and it was the first car I had seen with hazard warning lights.Although when the exhaust went it cost about £350 a lot of money back then.

[@RichieRouge206]

I am a huge Volvo fan as it is (on my 9th) and seen the car at shows etc. Fabulous video Steph! Such a cool car too

[@2DogsVlogs]

You don't see them around anymore in Australia. The 144 & 164 were notorious mechanically. Growing up Volvo had the same quality as Jaguar. Park it overnight and you find a liter of oil pooling underneath. Thankfully they fixed the issues in the 242\244\245\262\264 models. I've been looking for a good 245 for a while, sadly most are tired due to being used as a workhorse with high miles and priced at twice of the 164e.

[@pettee1979]

My friend has one, which he had as a daily driver for my years in Melbourne's North Western suburbs.

[@jacobbelcher3512]

Awesome review! I think these cars look amazing. I love the front end of these. I have a 1983 240. Volvos are super underrated and unappreciated. These are old enough now to be classics, but still reliable enough to be used like regularly. Thanks for the review!

[@captscarlet17]

I love these old Volvo's they are much better than the new ones, if you can try driving a 164TE you will be very impressed. I would recommend a 264GLE if your lucky, love the videos x

[@martinlove7073]

I learned to drive in 164E it was a lovely car

[@martinnorth2680]

The research you put into these videos is very impressive. Learn something every time. Nice story of family history for the owner, nice to see a younger owner with dedication to a car. Nice story.

[@kamran102]

Inherited on of these from my Grandad too. One owner and 100.000 km on the meter. Drove it around for a long time, but it's a bit sluggish and felt like a battleship to drive, very relaxed though. Looks cool. Sold it later. Automatic, dark blue, blue two-tone leather seats, toned windows. Got a Saab 9000 now. Best car ever :-)

[@tiguanman1170]

Years ago, my boss had one of these. It was 'M' reg with fuel injection. Pulling away from the lights, the driver's side backrest collapsed as the adjuster failed. That meant he was driving it looking at the roof lining..... Was in metallic dark blue with a rear spoiler moulded into the boot lid. That would have been around 1981 so the car was about 7 years old and he paid £900 for it in cash.

[@akr01364]

Oh! You're in one of my favorite cars! An old Swedish brick! The car I drive, outside of winter (here in the northeastern US the road salts are brutal), is a '94 940 that I've mildly tuned from the stock 114hp to 208. Other than that a few chassis modifications it's effectively a stock machine and I'm so happy to see one "Helga's" forebears on your channel!

[@robertngreen6]

Good to see an old Norfolk car! Great looking car, very interesting to see and hear! Well done to the owner for keeping it in such good order whilst using it regularly.

[@stevenhaigh6337]

Correct. I am the owner. It was originally sold at Holden motors (no longer a Volvo dealer) and has sticker still in the top right of the windscreen 😀

[@simonc858]

I love Volvos! I have a 15 year old V50, full of quirks, bits that don't work and it is my work car, I also love my 4 year old Mondeo, but that works perfectly. I have had 4 Volvos in my life, must be doing something right, Merry Christmas xx

[@marknelson5929]

The front end of this model always reminds me of the Wolseley 6/110. Both fine looking cars.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I've always loved the Volvo 144/164 of the 1970s. I find the 164 the most attractive cars Volvo offered. The instrument cluster looks different from what's used here in the USA. On 164s sold here, the speedometer was horizontal, rather than circular as it looks here on this car.

[@andrewwall9738]

This car has the very rare optional GT cluster, which is why it has no veneer. It added a tach. Had one I never installed. They may not know it was an option that was dealer installed.

[@Etswe]

A straight six is THE Engine to have. It runs smooth and sounds good. I never owned a 164, but another straight 6 the Toyota Crown.

[@nukemanmd]

I just came across this video, so I apologize for my untimely reply. I bought a 1973 164e because I had admired Volvos for their durability, reliability, and reputation for safety. Unfortunately, the 6 cylinder engine in this model was not Swedish, a fact that was not prominently disclosed by Volvo. It was a French product and not nearly as robust as the Swedish designed 4 cylinder engine offered in the 144.. Within the first year of ownership, all of the fuel injectors had failed. The flywheel failed after less than 50,000 miles as had the heater core. Needless to say, I was very disappointed with the 164 and I am confident that I would have been happier with the 144 and its 4 cylinder powerplant.

[@stevenhaigh6337]

The above comment is incorrect. The straight six in my 164 featured above is quite literally just a B20 engine from a 100 series with two more cylinders slapped on the back and is very much a Swedish product. I think you may be thinking of the PRV (Peugeot Renault Volvo) V6 which came in the later 264. That did have its issues.

[@nukemanmd]

@@stevenhaigh6337 Perhaps Volvo used a different version of the 6 cylinder engine for U.S. production, but I remember my mechanic alerting me to the fact that the 73 164 had a Peugeot engine.

[@stevenhaigh6337]

I'm afraid he was mistaken. All 164s had the b30 and all were genuine full Swedish units with nothing to do with Peugeot or the French even in the US

[@Etswe]

@@nukemanmd French?? What are you smoking?

[@billniland5997]

Great story. Great job explaining the detail. Great job maintaining. I have had 28 Volvo's, which means I had 60 years of comfort and safety and made a profit. I expect Jacob will follow you Steven ,,,,Bless you all

[@wanderinggentile]

You may direct any and all questions about hot climate driving to me. I currently live in Costa Rica and lived in Georgia, USA for 39 years. 35° driving is not new to me. Cheers from Paradise!

[@fletchermusician3365]

One of the best Volvo's ever made in my book.. Merry Christmas Steph.. 🙊♥️❌

[@jeremyfine1464]

We bought a new 144GL & 245DL at the end of '74 so the 144 was 2 years younger than this and what a difference those 2 years made on the interior. The 144 GL was this car but 4cyl, fuel injection, same leather interior. BUT No fake wood. No individual round dials. all switches in a central stack uniform in a line instrument cluster in a binacle viewed through the steering wheel with no chrome horn rings and fancy stuff. Power windows but SR was hand crank. A very current looking interior in fact. Reminiscing makes me want the old girl back.

[@24th1879]

Thank you so much Steph for this video. As I think I mentioned in a previous comment I'd like to see you do a 70's Volvo . This brings back so many memories and buckets of nostalgia as my father had a J reg Volvo 145s (estate) back in 1970 when I was 13. The 145S was a wonderful car, so well finished and a dream to drive as I ended up driving it 4 years later when I passed my test. I'd have one now in an instant if I could find one.. Thanks again for this video..

[@stevejelly3161]

Ahhhhhhh ----- i'm about to watch your video but before i start i think they are just amazing old cars. It's like a Swedish Rolls Royce !!!!!!! And the Volvo 264 GLE ???? Really lovely old cars. Happy Christmas lovely sweet lady.

[@briangreen6602]

That takes me back, when I was a kid a neighbor had one of those in the same colour. Not sure cars today are quite as distinct . Good video.

[@Levenstone132]

Superb example.My second car was a '69 Volvo 144 auto (column shift on the earlier ones) my first was a '69 Moggy Traveller.Same year but what a difference! The ducted heating in the Volvo was fantastic! 40 years later I'm driving old Volvos again!

[@simonheap4294]

What a lovely car that 164 is, captured on video expertly as always by you Steph. I've always loved the big Volvos. I have a big and quite impressive model car 164 in silver (my 11th birthday present, so its 44 now), but it's the later 164E model with the big bumpers and shorter grille. E denoted fuel injection and is from the German word for it, "Einspritz." Volvo also made a long wheelbase variant called the 164TE. The best big Volvo was the 262C coupe. Rare and ugly but impressive nonetheless.

[@MJ-fh9hj]

A volvo! Thank you sou much! I hope you will test another, perhaps the mother of them all the mighty 240. Happy new year.

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

Thank you for sharing Steph! A very Merry Christmas to you! :-) And heartiest congratulations on the new job! That's brilliant news! :-)

[@Stevieweevietv]

Thats a beautiful car. Steph's gone posh again! I love watching your videos, as well those from Ian 'Hubnut' and Matt 'Furious Driving'. It makes me want an old car. Trouble is I know nothing about engines😕🤣

[@kjeldlarsen912]

Always wanted that model ...but it was to expensive for me sadly , thx for the video 👍

[@richlee509]

There's one on ebay.co.uk at the moment for 10k in nice condition

[@LRS905]

One of the Volvo models I love the most. Had a school mate whose mother brought her to school, every day in a purple 164, and I came everyday to the parking lot to watch. Not sure if I was more interested in my school mate, beautiful girl, or the 164.

[@danielkarlsson156]

FINALLY a proper car, a VOLVO!

[@Teribus13]

I noticed a weird audio syncing when I watched the video too, I thought it was just my tablet 😂

[@club1fan552]

Hi Steph. Love your passion and you always look great in your retro get ups! Some old cars perform better in hot weather. My old Mazda has a notable drop off in performance in temps below 10 - 15 c and performs best with the temp 25 - 35 c.

[@danieleregoli812]

Absolutely stunning car the 164. As always, fantastic video Steph! Thank you so much!!!

[@MGBetts1]

Your interviews are really good Steph - it seems you can put people at ease so that it all turns out very well.

[@Gerk8]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year Steph! Thank you for the chance to see and hear about cars that we that we seldom if ever encounter in the US.

[@robbiehillier1760]

In 2020 there is an estate version on show at the lake district motor museum. I'm sure its the same colour and year. Great video. Great detail. Thank you.

[@mattw8332]

PW reg, so registered in Norfolk where I live. 'Holden Motor Co' Blue sticker on the windscreen. Holden still exists but they sell Renaults, Dacias & Hondas. Actually I think they may have the Volvo franchise again in Norwich. 🤔 Lovely 164. I really like the facelifted 144s of 1973/4 with the front end that look more like a Daf. Merry Christmas Steph. Great news about the new job. 👍

[@susanb.1113]

Lucky baby Jacob having his first car ride in this beauty.

[@douglerobertson6642]

Is steph pregnant ?

[@idriveaclassic]

If I was pregnant it would truly be immaculate conception. I’ve been single since spring and avoided men ever since. Ha.

[@douglerobertson6642]

Steph I miss read what it said I'm sorry and I am sorry to hear you have been avoiding men because you are a lovely woman with a kind heart

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahah don’t be worried or sorry for me! I wanted to take some time out to enjoy life without thinking about another person. I’ll certainly be giving dating another whirl in 2020. It was just a bit of a time was needed to mend myself x

[@douglerobertson6642]

You will find a decent guy when the time is right took time out from relationships to because things were a mess have a lovely new year x

[@6ettinold]

What a great story to go with this fantastic car.. Old swedes are my favourite cars, as they so robust, they make the perfect daily-driver classic. I've owned more Volvos and Saabs than I can count. Loved every single one except my last, more youthful V70 T5. Shame the newer ones are devoid of any character.

[@thomasakselsen6031]

This is so sweet, keep up the good work!:)

[@roger263]

This model and the 240 just go forever. NIce review Steph. Rog from Australia

[@chrisbenson3374]

Its got a really unique front end.

[@einstein9901]

Excellent video, but a correction I would like to make of what you had said.... The first Volvo manufactured in Malaysia was the 144. Then they started producing 240's. The Malaysia factory produced niche models which were required by the Asian market during its time. Thus, the 164 was not needed, thus were never manufactured in Malaysia.

[@TR5T]

This is a gem.

[@badneck1947]

Brilliant video and review. You’ve done a classic Volvo proud. Thanks

[@matthewjenkins1161]

Great Volvo advert around 1990, where a line of cars, including a Volvo were run over by a monster truck. All the cars were crushed except the Volvo, which barely deformed, demonstrating the safety of the brand. Sadly Volvo got in trouble, when it came to light the Volvo in the ad had a fully welded in roll cage and the roof pillars on the other cars had been sawn through.

[@stevenhaigh6337]

Volvo got into a lot of trouble for that advert. They hadreinforced the car and made weak points in the others so it was not a true show of how strong the car was

[@nickclark6001]

@@stevenhaigh6337 the advert of 12 140's piled on top of each other was real..

[@stevenhaigh6337]

@@nickclark6001 yes. Good one that

[@michaeltutty1540]

Volvo was unaware that the ad exec who created the idea after seeing it happen for real had the body reinforced. They immediately fired the ad agency.

[@stephenmontague4089]

I had two 164s in the 80's. The best cars I have ever owned. A 164E that was stolen by gypsies from the communal car park where I lived. A neighbour saw it being lifted by the crane mounted on a lorry and driven off. Took the two minutes to steal it. Several months later I bought a 164TE which was stolen from outside my brothers house in the middle of the night. I found the the engine of 164E in one scrap yard and the boot lining (bright blue material) and wheels at a other scrap yard. Gypsies wanted big heavy cars to sell at scrap yards. They got £10 for the E and because the price of scrap had gone up £25 for the TE. I gave the police all the details but nothing ever happened.