There's an American Essence to This Swedish Wagon | Carscoops

      A custom Volvo wagon, designed using components from an American sports car, is making waves in the auction market.

      This classic 1990 Volvo 740 GLE is powered by a modified 5.7-liter GM LS1 V8 engine, optimized for enhanced performance and durability on the racetrack. Both the subframes and braking system were sourced from a 2004 C5 Corvette donor chassis.

      Arriving at a track day in a Porsche 911 GT3 comes with high expectations for strong lap times. However, if you're interested in surprising some Porsche enthusiasts, this Volvo sleeper will certainly catch your attention.

      At first sight, it may appear unremarkable – just a typical, somewhat worn 1980s Volvo 740 wagon with a set of vaguely familiar aftermarket wheels. Are those Corvette wheels? Indeed, they are, and the components they’re attached to, along with the machinery that puts them in motion, are all Corvette as well.

      While the exterior belongs to a 1990 Volvo 740 GLE wagon, the engine and essentials of this specially-built track day vehicle are borrowed from a 2004 Corvette. The powertrain, six-speed manual gearbox, limited-slip differential, braking system, and suspension are all parts of a C5 Corvette.

      This project was no simple weekend endeavor. The "Volvette" build, which started in 2014, took 18 months to complete, with the owner investing an estimated 1,900 hours and considerable financial resources into it. Modifications were necessary to fit the Corvette’s front and rear subframes to the Volvo’s body, and the torque tube was extended to accommodate the longer wheelbase.

      However, the upgrades to the 740 didn't stop there; it is now being auctioned on Bring a Trailer. The chassis has been fitted with QA1 coilovers and adjustable anti-roll bars, while the LS1 engine, originally rated at 350 hp (355 PS), has been enhanced with a roller cam, GenX heads, and an Aviaid dry-sump lubrication system to ensure proper oil flow during intense track and autocross maneuvers.

      Inside, the interior has been stripped down for serious business, with air conditioning, the radio, and original rear seats removed along with the stock powertrain. In their place are C5 gauges, a custom transmission tunnel, and a full roll cage, though there are foldable rear seats available for children who are adventurous.

      This unusual combination of Volvo and Corvette components promises to deliver an exhilarating experience, although the owner cannot claim to be the first to undertake such a build. The late actor and accomplished racer Paul Newman also had a Volvo wagon powered by a Corvette engine.

      Newman's vehicle was a 1998 V90, but it did not undergo a complete Corvette suspension conversion. Instead, it utilized a combination of stock parts and, unexpectedly, components from a Porsche 911. Newman also famously installed a turbocharged V6 from a Buick GNX into a 740, producing similarly impressive results, proving that a fast wagon can lead to plenty of exciting adventures.