Volvo : Other coupe

The black 1961 Volvo PV544, race number 54 you see before you is quite an important North American race car.
Reportedly built by Volvo Sport for rallying, as indicated by the modified and braised floor pans and frame rails, it was modified for road racing in the late 80’s by Schonfeld Engineering of Scarborough Ontario. From it’s vintage racing debut to 1992 it won most everything it entered, at such historic courses including; Mosport, St. Jovite, Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, Grattan, Mid-Ohio, Road America and Road Atlanta. Two log books verify these achievements.
The car then disappeared for some 12 years, thought to be hidden over a marital dispute. In the summer of ’04, while participating in the VARAC festival featuring Canadian built ‘specials’ at Mosport the owner heard a rumour that indicated this car was hidden in the Vancouver, Canada area. After many calls and finally locating family members, the car was found, inspected and eventually purchased.
The car was then completely disassembled and repainted, along with a rebuild or replacement of every major component. Since 2005 this car has been actively campaigned in the Pacific Northwest, in local SOVREN, VRCBC and SCCBC events and has proven to be a strong and reliable contender.
It again received a significant upgrade and refresh in 2013.

Details;

The body shell is fully seam welded with significant improvements made to ensure structural rigidity.
The floors are formed flat, with the main tunnel widened to accept the Laycock de Normanville overdrive unit.
The roll cage is fully welded in place.
All suspension bushings and joints are either bronze or spherical joints (mono-balls).
Both front and rear suspensions have been reinforced and modified to accept adjustable sway bars as these cars did not have factory bars.
Front brakes are later Volvo P1800 solid discs with later Volvo 240 series calipers.
Dual Wilwood brake masters with bias balancing adjustment capability.
The rear end is a stock Volvo pumpkin with outboard ends modified to accept 9” Ford differential ends and drums. The half axles are Ford and the diff is locked. This modification was developed by Schonfeld Engineering in the ‘80s; the design has been copied by several suppliers since. This unit was again serviced to include a new carrier, pinion, ring and all new bearings. Ratio is 4:56.
The engine received a full rebuild again in 2013 rebuild, including being fully balanced, R sport cam profile, lightened lifters and lightened flywheel. Engine is build for reliability yet pulls strongly to 7200 RPM. Included are stainless exhaust valves, ARP rod bolts and head studs.
The engine currently wears dual Weber DCOE 40’s carburetors, included is a set of SU, 2” HS8 carburetors.
Transmission and overdrive and drive shafts rebuilt.
Paint has race patina after 10 years of use
Additional items of note:
Acusump
Remote oil cooler
Headers
Header temperature probes and gauge
2 full sets 15 x 6 American racing wheels, vintage not replicas
New set of Yokohama 048s
Fuel cell
Carter fuel pumps, main and redundant
VARAC log books and records
Spares include:
SU 2” HS8’s complete with manifolds, air horns and jet kit
Fully rebuilt 4- speed Volvo transmission complete with drive shaft, allows for choice of transmission combination depending on track and conditions.
Spare set of fully rebuilt king and link pin assemblies
Lots of spares
Price includes single axle trailer.

Also published at eBay.ca