There is upward mobility with cars. For example, a Monte Carlo pretending it’s a Rolls-Royce, a Pontiac Fiero parading around as a Ferrari or VW bug with a ’40 Ford proboscis. But here’s a really odd duck, a Corvette that thinks it’s a Volvo 1800. So, is it reaching upwards or settling back (downward mobility?), debatable. Anyway, it’s, at its core, a 1992 Chevrolet Corvette with 1967 Volvo 1800 trappings. This peculiar combo is located in Portage, Indiana and is available here on Facebook Market Place for $25,500.
The seller states that this combination is technically a ’92 Chevrolet Corvette as that is how it is titled and it carries a ’92 Corvette VIN. Sometimes you encounter a mash-up that is one of those, “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” kinds of things but that’s not the case here. I would have never thought of such a comingling but it has been well executed. The overall appearance is pretty well balanced with no real awkwardness. The front end looks like Corvette inspired Volvo while the rear is more Volvo. As for the profile, I’d say it’s a combination of the two. The seller doesn’t detail how this custom was put together but it appears to have been done very professionally. And, of course, being green raises its stock with me, the finish looks great! There is a minor Road & Track 2018 blurb here that describes mostly what the listing does – note the price, however. It even has the traditional Volvo mudflaps!
As for the interior, there’s not a very good image provided and the seller makes no mention of it or its condition. The R&T article does state that it is unmodified, stock 1992 Corvette (which they consider to be less than optimal), so if you’re familiar with that vintage ‘Vette interior, you’ll know what’s inside. From what can be seen, the black maybe/maybe not leather upholstery (leather was an option on ’92) is showing wear on the driver’s seat outer bolster, a common issue with this vintage Corvette.
For power, this CorVolvo would be powered by a 5.7 liter (350 CI) V8, generating 300 net HP. There is no reference to how this custom runs so that’s an unknown and will require an inquiry if interested. This motor, which Chevrolet referred to as the LT1, is a traditional small-block that received high praise in ’92. The only concern with this motor is the “Optispark” ignition system which is known to be troublesome as well as a real bear to change out. Gear changing is accomplished via a four-speed automatic unit.
Appearance is always subjective. The Volvo 1800, in my estimation, is a timeless design, made more notable by its Volvo origins, a company not known for high automotive-style, at least not during the 1800’s ’61 to ’72 production run. As for the ’92 Corvette, it’s nice and a more organized presentation of the C4 than the earlier, mid-’80s versions. And power started to return too as the ’92 Corvette claimed an additional 50 HP over its ’91 predecessor. So, what makes more sense, a Corvette portraying a Volvo or a Volvo disguised as a Corvette? I think the creator got it right. This CorVolvo won’t have universal appeal, it will take a certain kind of car aficionado to appreciate it in its entirety. Might that car person be you?
Gack.
If I was ever going to own a Corvette, this would be the one!!
Not a split window? Not a 69 454 4 speed?
Not a c1?
Not a 92 zl1?
Not a c8?
This one?
That was actually very kind of you
Much better looking than a c4 vette. Worst looking vettes made so this is an improvement.
What’s next – a Rolls Royce disguised as an Impala?
I can live with it-except for the roof-I’d have tried to find a way to graft on the original P1800 roof.
This Volvette is much, much better than the Benzillac.
I don’t hate it…except the wheels. Black steelies with chrome center caps would help.
Nicely done. Good work with good lines. Don’t think I’d of gone the route of changing the top. That would have been a life long project. The Corvette top blends nicely with the overall look of the car. Wouldn’t change a thing. Gas and go.
I would rather be kicked in the sack by a thoroughbred than have to look at this every day… but that is just my opinion.
I like the look of the 1800es, and even like the later c4’s. The 2 should never be allowed to mate though.
Ok, a Volvette is one of the weirder mashups I’ve seen lately, I must admit. A Datsun 260Z as a Shelby Cobra is another.
https://offerup.com/item/detail/850285725/
Some cars are better left as originals.
The perfect car for Phyllis’ son Skip.
Having had many 1800s , this is just wrong on so many levels.
Whoa, I gotta say it is stunning. Not something I want in my garage but the workmanship is top notch. I love the way the top chrome on the fin goes into the door handle…looks better than on the original.
Good catch.
Proportions are a little awkward but I’m glad people at least try these projects.
May be an opening for a website of mash-up ideas that adventurous and/or gifted souls can ‘make it so’.
Always wanted to see (and drive!) Lancia Delta Integrale guts in a Lancia Beta HPE…..
The car Volvo should have made. My eyes love the shape better than the original of either version. Too bad its on such an old vette.
For some reason, I just had a vision of Rosie O’Donnell wearing Daisy Dukes.
Thanks. I was just having breakfast. Again.
Jim said, if you could does not mean you should…i’ll add : I guess if you want to.
If only it was an 1800 ES wagon. . .
That would have sealed it for me. Big fan of the Lancia beta HPE too.
Just when you think you have seen it all! I first looked at this and assumed I would hate it. I kept looking and the more I looked the more intrigued I got. Then I couldn’t stop looking and I couldn’t figure out ,why? I still can’t, all I know it grabs my attention and I wouldn’t kick it out of my garage.
seller seems very reluctant to give out more information… been “talking” with him for 2 months, asked for more CURRENT pix, not an R/T writeup or other pix… so who knows what is up
Do a Google image search for Volvette, the pics date from 2015, and it was even seen here at BarnFinds that year.
Dear Lord, why?
Why not just throw in a better stronger engine and suspension? The amount of work and time that went into this- whoa!
Good job, but …
Volvo is famous for reliability, safety and 5cyl turbo engines lasting a very long time. Thats the kind of vibe i would love in Roger Moores volvo.
I don’t do Facebook. Is this all fiberglass? I’d have to assume it is as that would make better sense than using actual 1800 parts. I think it looks better than a stock ’92 plastic pig. And agree with others they should have gone 1800ES if they were going to this much effort. Anyone for an Edsel ‘Vette? Thanks for the laughable posting.
I like it the way it is,If it was the wagon,it would be on a truck headed North to my house.
First impression is that someone built a modern hot rod interpretation of the Volvo P1800.
Second impression is that the roofline was recognizable but not sure why. Overall, I like the design and execution (from the small photos on my phone).
If I have any complaints, it would be the bland Corvette interior and the lack of a manual transmission.
Nevertheless, for the asking price it is a bargain for a custom car.
Yes, I would take it in a heartbeat.
Horrible! Run the other way! If you want a Volvo 1800, get a Volvo 1800, for crying out loud. If you want a Corvette, get a Corvette. This is an abomination to both of them. I wouldn’t ever be seen in it if you gave it to me.
Needs Minilite wheels bad. Then it would fool a lot of people
Yes! With 165R15s.
And a white paint job
Overall interesting and reasonably well executed, if that’s your thing. I would have to change out the black window trims for chrome though. They look too modern. Also, the wheels really need to be Steelies with hubcaps.
I reckon it must be a foot wider than an original P1800! You could never mistake it for the real thing. What is interesting is that the owner/creator could probably have bought an original P1800 for what this cost to make. I wonder what the motivation was?
I like it! Doc, you are correct about the Minilites/Panasports!
This has me thinking about an easier way to do one of the builds that I want to do.
Hmmmmm
In my opinion, A decent 1800ES with a LS six speed manual drive train would way more desirable than this. Even an 1800, especially if it was ’66 or before to skip the emissions testing.
Now please remember that I was a Volvo fan until the 850s came out. ( sorry, but being a Volvo service manager when that happened has soured me on Volvos built after 1995 forever!)
I am a fan of the 1800 (in particular the ES) and have driven many. (Almost bought a new ES, but was unable to find a manual transmission car.)
That being said, and being a former good customer of IPD for suspension bits for a 144 and a 265 (V8 5.0 conversion). There is no way in hell that you could ever get an 1800 to handle anywhere close to the Vett. The center of gravity and that 142/4 suspension system would never get even close. The amount of money and modifications required to get to that point would exceed what has been done here. And it would not even come close to the ride quality of the Vett.
As much as I like LS motors it would be a nightmare to stuff into one of these. A SBF would be almost impossible. And an LS is about 20% larger.
A lot of work went into that car. You have to respect that. Sectioning and adding to the width and not screwing it up is tough to do. My hat is off to the brave guy who had the guts to go for it.
Panasports and Minilites don’t do anything to enhance the original design of the Volvo 1800, and they sure as hell aren’t gonna put lipstick on this pig.
I think as a convertible it wold look stunning, the side windows disturbs me a bit.
It’s all well and good, except for one thing: a ’67 P1800 had to give up its life and identity for this thing. I don’t deny that this was $urprisingly well-executed, but to hack up a P1800 beats all I ever heard. To me, seeing this gives me the same feeling I think I would feel upon walking into someone’s house and seeing the taxidermic carcass of a beloved family dog.
I like it better than the more popular C5-to-C1 conversions.
This looks nice, but sort of lazy. Should have done more to the interior. Right now, it looks like a custom front and rear end body job. Looks good, but that’s all it is.
You don’t know if an 1800 gave up it’s life or not. It could have already been dead. (tree fell on the roof, rusted out floor pans or an accident that we have here in the most mountainous state in the lower 48. Large rock falls off side of the mountain and you drive over it tearing out the bottom of the car.)
And yes I agree, it would be even better as a roadster/convert.
( I have a 1984 Mustang SVO that I am stripping for parts. Even though it came from southern California the shell is a rusted out piece of junk from the top down. Luckily the front clip is good as is the interior and mechanical bits. But I can just hear people saying that I killed an SVO to make another/different car.
I don’t think the front and rear are original 1800 clips. The C5 would be too wide for that. I think it is someone’s re-creation – a decent looking one.
This simply phenomenal, changes could be done to the build but it really great as is. Very very few have even the faintest idea of how much work this, never mind how its done.
As the owner of a Volvo C30 (Volvo’s own interpretation of the 1800) and a C4, I’m not sure how to feel right now.