1961 Volvo PV544 Project - Canadian Rodder

1961 PV544 Project - Update 9

I mentioned in the previous update that the next step would be to move the car and that we'd try to get our heads around a strategy for suspension and ride height. The car was moved to Grant Schwartz's shop in Bloomingdale, Ontario (Schwartz Inc.).

It essentially looked like this except with wheels and tires:

Above: For comparison and reference, this is a photo of a stock PV544.

Above: Again, a stock car from the rear. Note the clearance in the wheelwells and at the rocker panel.

Above: In order to visualize ride height properly, I brought down the fenders for the passenger side, the nose and hood. We then loosely assembled things. Note: the fenders are painted new-old-stock, the nose is also new-old-stock (but from a B18 engined variant which has the hood hinges disappear inside the nose rather than inside the engine compartment). The hood is used and also from a B18 engined car to match the nose.

To get the car sitting down, we pulled all of the coils and let the car settle on jacks.

Above: The other side. Note the position of the A-arms with the coil missing and the car at the proposed target ride height. Note: those are the stock Volvo tires which will not be used (165R15 at about 25.5" tall)

Above: The wheels and tires that will be used. AR Torq D wheels (15x6) with 195/60x15 (24") front and 205/60x15 (24.5") rear tires.

Above: Front tires are laying flat, the rears are standing.

Resources
American Racing Wheels: Horton Hot Rod Parts

Next: Swinging the engine & tranny in for inital fitment.

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