Volvo 164
A longer bonnet and a large upright grille announced Volvo’s return to a six-cylinder prestige saloon.
1969 Volvo 164 (10333800145).jpg · Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands · CC BY 2.0
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More than a set of wheels.
The 164 arrived in August 1968 as a 1969 model. Its body developed the 144 theme, but Volvo made room for a six-cylinder engine and a more luxurious cabin. The new B30 shared important dimensions and components with Volvo’s smaller engine family.
Look a little closer.
The launch car could be ordered with a full-width front seat and a steering-column manual gear lever.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Why the bonnet grew
A 3.0-litre six needed more length than the four-cylinder engine in the 144. The 164 therefore combined its distinctive upright grille with a 2,700 mm wheelbase. The result gave Volvo a visibly more prestigious car without abandoning the family resemblance.
Source: Volvo Heritage · 164 ↗An engine made from familiar ideas
Volvo used the same 88.9 mm cylinder bore and 80 mm stroke as the B20. Its contemporary engineering story also described shared pistons, connecting rods and valves within the engine family. Adding cylinders provided a larger, smoother engine while retaining experience gained with smaller Volvos.
Source: Volvo Cars Sverige · 164 turns 40 ↗Where these facts come from
- Volvo Heritage · 164
- Volvo Cars Sverige · 1968 news turns 40
- Volvo Cars Sverige · Volvos sexa – en pigg åttioåring
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed 2026-10-02.