The story of my first car.
The Volvo 210 "Duett"
In Sweden you have to be over 18 to drive a car, but there's a
way to be able to drive when you're 16, the only thing is that the
car must not go faster than 30 km/h.
When I was 15 I really wanted a car so I got this Volvo, a 1965 Duett.
The first thing I had to do was lift the body off and fix all the rust. The major change was
when I shortened the body. It was originally a van, but the law said it had to be registered
as an A-tractor, with room for only two people
The thing that makes this car good is that it has a real frame and not a self-carrying body.
Next step was to make it go 30 km/h...
That was fixed by having 2 gearboxes. One to use as ordinary and one fixed
to first gear.
Gave the car a speed of 30 Km/H at 3000 rpm, so the next
problem was to mont a stop on the carb to give it a max rpm of 3000 at load.
Finally the transmission was finished and the body was back on the frame.
The body is now 2 meters shorter, rear doors no longer exists, neither side windows.
After the paint got on, the inside had to be done, the rear seat was mounted in front
to give a sofa instead of two seats. And everything inside got dressed.
New rims, Shelby SlotMag, 7x14 in front and 10x15 rear.
Tires: front 205/60-14 Rear 255/60-15
Next problem was the fuel tank, the orginal didn't fit. Found a Saab 96 tank
that was really flat, fitted under the floor.
The exhaust system became a 2,5" Simons Big, connected to 2 cupperpipes
vertical at the back of the body.
The engine is practicly untouched, the 75 Hp Volvo B18 with 1.8 Liters volume
was only strangled a bit to give the max speed of 30.
The first gearbox was locked at first gear and the second gearbox was untouched
that means 4 speed forward and reverse.
My friend Daniel had one too, also a Duett but a 1960.
It was a litle more exlusive with stepside and scoop.
The major thing was to be able to drive a car at 16, we had a lot of fun,
Volvo is the perfect car to rebuild, start fixing with, easy to work on.
The result?
THIS!
Engine
Type : B18 A
Performance, HP at rpm : SAE 75/4500 (55Kw)
DIN 68/4500
Max, torque, lbs.ft (kgm) : SAE 101(14.0)/2800
DIN 98(13.5)/2600
Compression pressure at 200 rpm (warm
engine turned over with starter motor) : 171-199 lbs/sq.in.
(12-14 kg/sq.cm)
Compression ratio : 8.5 :1
Number of cylinders : 4
Bore : 3.313 in. (84.14 mm)
Stroke : 3.150 in. (80 mm)
Capacity : 1780 cc
Weight : ca 341.7 lbs (155 kg)
Carburettor
Type : Zenith 36 VN
Idling speed (warm engine) : 500-700 rpm
Clutch
Type : Single dry plate
Gear box
Type designation : M40 (Manual) (x2)
Reduction ratios
1st speed 3.13:1
2nd speed 1.99:1
3rd speed 1.36:1
4th speed 1 :1
Reverse 3.25:1
Rear axle (ENV)
Type : Semi-floating
Track : 51.772 in.(1315 mm)
Final drive
Type : Hypoid
Reduction ratio : 9:41 (4.55:1)
Differential disc-plate arrangment : Anti-spinn
Braking system
Type : Drum brakes
Spring system
Front springs
Type : Helical springs
Wire thickness : 0.469 in. (11.9 mm)
Length (new spring) : 10.039 in. (255 mm)
Number of turns : 8
Rear springs
Type : Half elliptic plate springs
Length : 48.819 in. (1240 mm)
Width : 1.772 in. (45 mm)
Number of plates : 8
Tyres
Size : 205/60-14 and 255/60-15
Body etc.
Duetten´s length : 153.543 in. (3900 mm)
Height : 66.929 in. (1700 mm)
Width : 62.204 in. (1580 mm)
Wheel base : 102.362 in. (2600 mm)
Kerb weight : 2292.78 lbs (1040 kg)
Total weight : 3791.91 lbs (1720 kg)
Cargo space length : 33.465 in. (850 mm)
width : 42.118 in. (1070 mm)
"Self-carrying-body" : No
Frame (the so-called box frame) : Yes
Registrated as traktor : Yes
Number of passengers : 1 (+ driver)
Model : 1965
If you are interested in genuine old Swedish cars, you have to visit these sites :
Back to the car page.
Johan Edelswärd 1997