Volvos aren’t typically the go-to car brand when thinking about automotive sex appeal, but this particular Volvo 262C breaks the mold in more ways than one. Not only was it styled by a legendary Italian coachbuilder, but it’s got a wallop of American muscle under the hood thanks to the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4. Now, this LT4-swapped Volvo is the focus of a new feature video.
Coming to us from the folks at AutotopiaLA, the video is a little over 24 minutes long and includes the vehicle backstory, a walkaround, and some tire-burning action on the street as well.
This wild Swedish meatball belongs to Eric Curran from West Coast Exotics, who, if you didn’t know, has a long resume filled with motorsport wins and go-fast accomplishments. Just a few highlights include several years as a GM factory driver behind the wheel of various Corvette and Cadillac prototypes, as well as a win at Petit Le Mans. Interestingly, Curran actually got his start racing in Volvos with his dad.
As the story goes, Curran’s dad bought this Volvo 262C Bertone decades ago as a rust-free, perfect shell, then stripped it down and resprayed it in Black metallic paint. Of course, the body was originally styled by renowned Italian coach builder Bertone, which reimagined the coupe with a chopped-down roof and reshaped glass.
Originally equipped with a Volvo V6, Curran’s dad swapped in a turbocharged 3.8L V6 from a Buick Grand National. However, once Curran got his hands on it, he knew he had to give it a little extra juice.
Enter the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine. Also known as the high-performance motor stuffed into the C7-generation Corvette Z06, Cadillac CTS-V, Camaro ZL1, and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the LT4 isn’t exactly short on horsepower. This particular example has the dry sump setup, and produces an estimated 670 horsepower.
Check out the full build, plus how it drives on the street, by hitting play:
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Why?
Why not? It’s America. That’s what we do!
It's hot rodding. Research it
Mike - A hot rod Volvo? That LT4 could have gone into so many other cars or trucks that would be more worthy. Chevelle, Belair, GTO, 442, Nova, C10, Firebird, Impala, Vega, etc etc. Just a waste of time, money and resource in my opinion. But hey different strokes for different folks. I guess I haven’t opened up to alternative lifestyles like you have.
True. Yes, I have an alternative auto lifestyle. I love to drive what others fear. But like I said...it's hot rodding and that means anything goes. My family has been involved in building custom vehicles (carriages) since the 1800s. I've been at it with my first engine swap in my 62 Chevy at 14. Dad was building hot rods and customizing cars since he was 13 beginning with a junked model A in 1946. In the 1950s Dad was building hot rod inline 6's when everyone wanted the new Chevy v-8. He had a '34 Chevy coupe with a Foyt machined 261 that was pretty bad azz as well as uncommon. At the LS fest in Dallas, there were a few Volvos with LS engine swaps plus other oddball cars. Most cars there were the usual Camaros, Chevelles, C10s, Fords, etc. The cars that got the looks were the weirdos like this Volvo in the article. During my 45 years in the custom biz I've seen it all and owned many offbeat rides. I never follow the crowds and that is what made my business successful...do what is not normal.
I think that car was rare enough to have deserved a proper restoration to stock. I know it's the old "your car your money" bit but as we are slowly drawing closer to the end of ICE powered cars it would be nice to have properly restored and preserved cars of all types to show future generations so they can draw a line in their own minds from the 1900's to whatever we get in the next 30 years.
I have my steel umbrella up, so am ready for the mass of downticks sure to come. Here goes:
If I were to do ANY engine swap on a Volvo, Bertone or not, it would likely be to drop a 4-cylinder Camaro motor and transmission into it. Sure, not as much tire-burning straight-line power, but, I never had an interest in drag racing.I like something that handles reasonably well. The Camaro engine would keep the weight down, and yet, even bone stock shoves out > 300 hp. Any Volvo of that era would step out smartly when you mash on the go pedal.
How about an '80's Regal, instead of a Vulvo?
Regals are way cool. At the LS fest in Dallas, there were some 80s Regals with LS swaps.