The car was put together by a boyfriend of a woman, nd it looked great, as a sunroof, ut needed some suspension and engine work.

I had the work done by former Volvo racer and ace mechanic Joe Valle (he used to have a photo of him driving a 66 or 67 Volvo around a curve so hard, t was up on two wheels)! He rebuilt the engine, arbs, nd put in an overdrive, aking it quite the hot rod and enjoyable road machine. I drove it over 17 to Palo Alto for three years, hen up to San Francisco two times a week up Highway One from Santa Cruz for about five years, nd the ride was never boring in this car. We call it “The Road Dog” because it’s such a reliable transportation source and had to live outdoors.

It’s a classic car that always turns heads with its American Mags and all that bright-work. It just glistens. Fast-forward to 2016 and about 300 inches of rain, nd it is time to refresh a classic, nd it’s not in the budget, o reluctantly I’m putting it up for adoption. The engine and trans are solid, nd I just spent 400 bucks on new Kumho tires from the Goodyear store down the street, nd another $400 on having a complete vehicle evaluation, ubber lube service, il and filter change, nd a new thermostat. The evaluation said the brakes are 95% on the front, nd 80% left on the back. They suggested replacing the outer tie rod bushings, pgrading the horn, nd said the battery is in question, ven though it starts right up on the first crank.

When I got it 1990, t came with a little rust, n a fender, nd a lot of rust on the passenger side door, hich is now reinforced with “race tape.” So a new door, nd new paint would be nice. The trunk lid on the drivers side has new rust this year from the weather stripping finally giving in. The floor high-beam switch needs replacing, nd I have the part.

No one knows how many miles are on it because the guy that originally restored it, ut in the wrong-ratio speedometer and odometer, o it always looks like your are going much faster that you really are.

The car has been started and moved around every week and kept on maintenance charge, t starts right up in rain or shine, nd would be an excellent commute car. Once I got the new tires, took it down Highway 1, nd what a great ride, ut it in overdrive, nd say goodbye to the following pack, nd maybe hellow to the Highway Patrol. Even the guy that test drove it widened his eyes after he got back, nd said it was a great drive.

It’s been a pleasure to own, regret selling it. It has never left me stranded. It’s built like a tractor. They shook their head when I told them I was thinking of selling it, aying that there aren’t a lot of these left. I parked it beside two Porsches in Capitola, nd three people were looking at this car. It’s a looker.