164 Club of Sweden
088834 4562 111/959-861
The car was originally registered on 03/04/1973. The supplying agent was Viewfield Garage in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. It was originally sold to a Mr Kennoway in Seamill, Ayrshire. However, Mr Kennoway became ill, and died. The car was less than 6 months old when my father bought the car from his widow (he already knew Mrs Kennoway). It has remained his car ever since, and has only covered 45160 miles since new. It even has some of its original tyres (175*15 SR Michelin).
The 164 was last used in 1989 when it usually had about 2 offers to buy it every month. From 1985 to 1989 the car was used exclusively in the summer months. In fact, I remember that in 1980 to 1982, it was summer use only. In its earlier life, the 164 was generally only used in favourable weather except one winter when my father was seriously ill. Unfortunately, it was subject to the Ayrshire salty air, so it is not perfect, but has no underbody rust whatsoever and no corrosion in any structural areas. If we are able to also have the body work touched up (rather than a full respray as it is generally SO GOOD!), it should still have a good long life ahead of it, and still turn heads. That last point is very true. This car really turns heads. Ok, its a Volvo, and generally, Volvos don't turn heads, but I always thought that the 164 was a bit special. That is almost difficult for me to admit, because I'm more into Italian cars and have had a string of some sporting Alfa Romeos, but in truth, I really think the 164 is as well recieved as any of the Alfas I've had!
Incidentally, up to about 1978, one of my fathers brothers, My Uncle Jock, also had a 164. It was the same Alpine blue, and also had black leather, but it was a 1970 model and looked a bit the worse for wear even back then. I never liked that car as much. The rear baging, the rear lights and the deeper front grill just didn't look as pleasing I always thought. The door handles and dashboard were the same as my fathers other Volvo, a 145 deluxe. It was the 1971 model with the black grille and the two seperate pods for mounting the headlamps.
Alasdair Morrison