These are a few e-mails and entries I received from the old guest book.
Name: Robert Grein
Date: Sat 6/21/2008
Time: 8:07 PM
Message
Good morning Tony:::::::::::
I too have taken my 444 down to the last nut and bolt for restoration. It was a
3 year 8 month project and now has taken a best in class at the Canadian Volvo
meet in July07 and a second at a Volvo showing in May08. Mine is also White, but
has the Californian yellow/black interior'
Your pictures have served as an inspiration to myself and I suspect many others
I will find the time to add to your parts reference page. In particular, I will
have some rear end parts # for spicer 27 drives as I have just completed a
conversion from a spicer 23 4:56 early mount trailing arm to a spicer 27 4:10
late mount .
Thanks again::::::
Bob Grein
Name: Phillip Turner
Date: Friday, June 06, 2008
Time: 12:59 PM
Message
Tony:
I have been following your Brickboard communications with great interest as I
also have the PV Disease.
I have had mine (1965 PV544) on the road for just about a year now following a 2
year ordeal that I consider to be quite similar to yours. “Down to Bare Metal,
Down to the bottom of the Bank Account”. (See the Nov-Dec 2007 issue of ROLLING
for photos of mine along with a short history)
After logging onto your web Page and looking at the photos, and noticing that
you are gracious enough to have included a section for photos of others, I am
obliged to offer the attached for your consideration.
After looking at the photo of your son, it appears to me that Old Round Volvos
just make little children smile. My Granddaughter and I were both very happy
when the shell rolled out of the paint booth in April of 2007
Also, just for general interest, here is the modification of the Transmission
Tunnel (and replacement of “Swiss-Cheesed” floor pans) necessary for the
installation of the M41 Transmission with Model J Overdrive Unit.
Congratulations and I hope you are soon on the road, and grinning like an
idiot to all of the passers by who make it a point to wave at you!
Phil Turner (Suppo176)
Lee’s Summit, MO
Name: Jon
Date: Sunday, May 04, 2008
Time: 4:38 AM
Message
Hi Tony,
I was born in 1955. My Father bought a 1957 PV 444 in Torrington, CT, new in
1958 for $2,100 (a LOT of money then). So, I grew up with this car. He always
believed in buying the BEST. That car provided us transport for 20 years without
ever failing to start or any problems besides the new fuel pump required after I
put a sandy stick in the gas tank. (Daddy had a gas station and I was just
imitating. It became family folklore about Jon and the stick).
To my ever loving regret I sold that car in 1982 for $100. It wasn't running, I
was frustrated at the difficulty in finding parts. Sold it to the first guy who
came along, subsequently received at least 100 phone calls of interested
parties. What a dummy. Sold way too cheap, people loved Volvos. Asked the guy I
sold it to to contact me when he got it running as I was curious as to what was
wrong (made him promise, which he did). He never did. His loss, as I later
received several parts I had been looking for. Would have given them to him and
saved him lots of anguish. Guess it's karma. He screwed me and I screwed him
back. Oh well.
It had 70 HP, 3 forward gears, no seat belts, no radio, a wonderful sounding
horn and a chain below the middle of the dash that connected to a curtain in
front of the radiator. You pulled it up to warm up the engine quicker. The Bosch
carburetors (sp?) required occasional filling with oil. That was my job and I
thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was Cape Cod gray and quirky. I never worried about it getting stolen because
you had to know it to drive it. The key had to be turned in a certain way, the
accelerator had to be pressed just right, when cold you better know just how
much gas it needed (or didn't need), stall out after it was warm and you better
have something else to do for 20 minutes because it would vapor lock. Second
gear? oh my, I believe that gear would take you up the side of a building. Made
hills the funniest part of driving it. Slap her into second and ACCELERATE up
the whole way. Believe the speedometer went to 90. The fastest I ever got her to
(multiple times) was 85 (on flat, farm land straight roads) then would have to
back off because you could smell "something" burning.
Once Dad hit the side of the garage and dented the front fender (a perfect
bowling ball sized indent). Took it to the body shop. They called the next day,
ummmm, Mr. McGraw, you need to get a new fender, we can't pound out this Swedish
steel!
Saw it around for many years after. Now suppose it has been scrapped and living
in a new form. Major regret as I would love to have it now. Makes your story
especially endearing to me. Driving Dad's car, looking like it should, lovingly
restored...oh my...
Regards,
Jon McGraw
Seattle
Name: Peter
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2008
Time: 12:01 AM
Message
Hello there!
I came across your website while I was looking up information on the car. I
actually have my own 444, and I was quite interested in your work so far.
Name: Rob Mowry
Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Time: 1:04 PM
Message
I was just looking over your website, and let me say that you did a wonderful
job of documenting everything. Your restoration looks absolutely amazing.
Name: Mom
Date: Monday, January 07, 2008
Time: 9:09 PM
Message
HI ANT,
I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN READING YOUR MAIL, I WAS CRYING.......WOW. THAT'S GREAT,
DAD IS LOOKING DOWN ON YOU FOR SURE AND HE'S SO HAPPY....WONDERFUL NEWS. AND
JUST KEEP ME POSTED OK. I HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THAT CAR.
TALK TO YOU SOON. I CAN JUST PICTURE THE NEIGHBORS GATHERING AROUND [when the
engine fired up for the first time]!!!!!!!!!
LOVE TO ALL,
MOM
Name: Jim Lucht
Date: 09/25/07
Time: 09:55 PM
Message
Hi Tony
I have a '58 444 as well. I've seen your site and some postings on the
brickboard- very nice work. Mine is about 80-90% restored I guess. Just picked
it up last week and it needs lots of little things. I'll send some pics when I
get some decent ones.
It's actually one of five old Volvos I have- they are all I drive. My others
are:
'66 1800S
'67 122S Estate
'70 142S Automagic (backdated to SU Carbs)
'78 242GT
The 122 and 142 are my all-season drivers. Anyway, I really like your site. I'm
going to enjoy going back to check out your progress...
Take care and good luck!
Jim
Name: Roger L. Burkhart
Date: 08/21/07
Time: 07:40 PM
Message
Tony,
I have been following your web site & am impressed with the results of your
restoration. Trust that you are having as much fun as I am. It is amazing that
we are both working on the same model 1958 PV444.
This is my second 1958 PV444. The first was purchased for $100 when I was 15 &
ran on only two cylinders. A quick paint job & overhaul provided me with
excellent transportation through high school. I sold the car about a year after
I graduated & joined the Navy. This one I have owned for about 16 years & I sent
it to the paint/body shop four years ago. Just got it back about a week ago & it
looks good. They did an excellent job.
Unfortunately, I did not work out a cost with my painter prior to starting the
project. He is a professional industrial painter, not an automotive restorer,
and does not know what to charge for the work. We are negotiating a fair price.
Thanks for your time. Please email or call if I can be of assistance. I have
worked on this car for many years. There is a lot I don't know, but I have also
made enough mistakes to learn a few things.
Roger
Name: Steve Knowles
Cars: 1964 Volvo 544 ,1998 Volvo S70
Date: 09/18/2006
Time: 05:43:15 PM
Message
Tony
i just checked out your web site. It looks really good. I enjoyed your
pics of Lake Placid, and I registered on your registry. Will keep in
touch
Steve
Name: Glen & Tanner McMillin
Cars: 69 Volvo 1800S
Date: 09/18/2006
Time: 02:10:42 PM
Message
Great to meet you at the East Coast VCOA Meet
Tony. Best of luck on restoring your 58 PV444. Can't wait to see it on
the road again. Be sure to post lots of pics on your site so I can
keep up with the progress.
Name: Donald Liles
Cars: 1957-444,1966-544, 1981-245,1994-945, 1995-945
Date: 08/12/2006
Time: 02:26:27 PM
Message
Hi Tony,
I really enjoy your site and hope to check it often.I am rebuilding my 1957 444 and hope to complete it in
2007 but time will tell.
Name: Ola Øra
Cars: -58 544
Date: 05/15/2006
Time: 02:03:25 PM
Message
Hi Tony! Great site and a great car! Have had
PV's on my mind since kid, owned and driven a few of them and also
restaured although not so deeply as you are presently doing. Are you
going for 100% original, or are you a bit liberal on that? Anyhow, great
job and progress so far - keep on!
Name: Greg
Cars: 1991 Volvo 245SE, 1981 Volvo 245DL, 1998 Ford Mustang GT
Date: 02/23/2006
Time: 06:14:04 PM
Message
Hi Tony:
This is "Green Machine" from the Brickboard. I saw a link to your site
on the BB and thought I'd cruise on in for a look.
You've done a great job with the site! I love anything with "before"
and "after" pictures showing the progress of a build. Everything is
nicely laid out as well. My compliments...
Best of luck with your project, and please continue to keep us posted.
The fact that this car has been with your family since day 1 has to make
this a real labor of love. I hope that you create many good memories
for yourself (and is that your son I saw in one of the pics?) as the
project moves forward.
Greg
Name: peter kalinins
Cars: 2 x 1953 PV444
Date: 01/25/2006
Time: 01:13:42 PM
Message
Great site, the restoration pictures seem all to
familiar. I,m doing a nut and bolt restoration on 1953 444 es. I am near
the end now, just respray and interior to put back.
Best wish from Derby, England!
Peter Kalinins
PS Loads of parts available from Sweeden. Contact me for details.
Name: Mats Skön
Cars: ....way to many Volvo,s
Date: 01/21/2006
Time: 02:29:15 AM
Message
Hi Tony,
It`s a pleasure to see the progress you`ve made so far and I think all
of us visiting your site is anxious to see the final result.
Thanks for sharing.
Mats
Name: Mark Arnold
Cars: 1965 PV544
Date: 01/16/2006
Time: 02:07:54 PM
Message
Hello Tony,
I'm in Minneapolis where I've just purchased, like you, an old friend
in need of TLC. Am starting with good bones so to speak, but neglected.
Talk to you later, Mark
Name: Billy K
Cars: 1963 pv544
Date: 01/15/2006
Time: 09:46:16 AM
Message
Great site Tony, All the close ups are real
helpful . I'm currently at basically the same point that your at.Once I
restore the body, hopefully by the end of the summer,I'll be able to
start building a strong engine. Well have as much fun as I'm having!
Name: Jim Barrett
Cars: 57 444, then new 59 544, now 2 544's-1restored and 1 in pieces
Date: 12/19/2005
Time: 08:01:58 PM
Message
I have been a Volvo nut for over 40 years, and
still going strong. I look at everything I can find about 544's and am
constantly trying to improve the one that's finished which has won over
40 trophies in the last 2 1/2 yrs.
Name: Matt B
Cars: all US Volvo models '62-84, Jaguar XK120, others
Date: 12/05/2005
Time: 08:00:22 AM
Message
Great progress on a great project! Looking forward to seeing furthur updates. Keep us Brickboarders posted!
Name: Charlie Edmonson
Cars: 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500
Date: 11/28/2005
Time: 10:13:13 AM
Message
Great website. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed car.
Charlie