MUSCLE GARAGE RETURNS TO THREE
Guess what. Your favourite TV show will be coming back to the screen on Sunday, 30 September, packing a whole lot more into a brand-new season. That’s right, it’s 10 more episodes of Teng Tools Muscle Garage, which is entering its third season on Three’s Sunday afternoon CRC Motorsport.
We’ve received loads of positive feedback from the first two seasons, and this one will be sticking to a similar presentation formula, bringing to you just as many radical rides, fantastic events, in-depth shed raids, and special features. And, while we can’t give it all away just yet, we can sneak a bit of a teaser in here for you.
Feature cars include Justin Walker’s super tough Ford Galaxie, Clint Wheeler’s slick Holden EK van, and Kayton Coughey’s tyre-smoking Camaro, with events including the Prowear Chrome Expression Session, Kaikoura Hop, and a few special features including a catch up with the Oogah Rodders, and learning about the T-bucket project being built by the kids at Tikipunga High School in Whangarei. Sound good? We think so — book the couch and lock the date in!
While other parts of the world were in a state of upheaval in 1968, revolution was far from people’s minds at Volvo in Gothenburg, Sweden. Instead, they were focusing on the launch of the new prestige model, the 164.
The notion of designing a slightly larger, more exclusive model had been around for a long time. In the late 1950s, a big luxurious Volvo with a V8 engine was planned. However, that project died in 1960 when a survey indicated that compact cars were the future, especially in the US.
After the 1966 launch of the 140 series, Volvo decided to squeeze a larger, more powerful six-cylinder motor into a similar design. That would allow Volvo to create the combination of prestige and compact size it was absolutely certain that people needed.
Chief Designer Jan Wilsgaard kept the chassis of the 140 series and used the front from the 1950s 358 project. The 140 chassis was extended by 10cm from the windscreen forward. This was to make space for the newly developed straight-six, which was designated ‘B30’, had a three-litre capacity, and developed 108kw.
The fittings were considerably more lavish than in the 140 series, with thick woollen fabric on the seats, textile floor mats, and the rear seat designed for two people, with a drop-down armrest in the centre.
After the first year of production, the 164 was given leather upholstery as standard, integrated halogen-type auxiliary lamps, and headrests. The options list included electric windows, tinted windows, an electric sunroof, and air conditioning.
Road testers of the time stated that Volvo’s new customers were professional types, such as doctors, lawyers, dentists — people who could afford something different. Seems that part of their sales strategy was successful.
The Volvo 164 underwent continuous development throughout its life, with the addition of features such as electronic fuel injection — as of model year 1972.
The last model year was 1975, and all the cars built in that year were exported to the US. By then, the car’s successor, the 264, had already gone into production.