This unassuming Volvo is capable of quarter-mile times in the 11's, courtesy of blown LS power. Images via eBay, Hot Rod Magazine, and Retro Rides.

The hot rodding community is always in search of something different. The most innovative gearheads among us are the ones carving their own path and taking the road less traveled. Once something’s been done, however, there’s always the phase where it’s copied a million times over until it’s played out and becomes passé. Just look at the ’57 Chevy and the ’69 Camaro for instance.

But it’s a new era, and the popularity of the pro-touring car and the LSx engine has reached our cousins from across the pond. Meet Hakan “Hocky” Johansson’s 1975 Volvo 242. Considered a domestic in Hocky’s native country of Sweden, the Volvo is a purpose-built show stopper that’s been featured in several magazines from all over the world. Starting with an usually solid foundation for a car of its age and location, Johannson sourced an LS1, T56 gearbox, and an ECU from a ’99 Camaro.

This isn’t Hocky’s first build. He also has a 9-second ’32 Ford five-window and and a pro-street ’55 Chevy under his belt, and not being one content with a simple engine swap, he topped the alloy mill off with a P1SC ProCharger designed for a Pontiac GTO. The LS1 intake has also been stuffed with 42-lb. Delphi fuel injectors to prevent the engine from running too lean, while a Lunati bumpstick sits inside the block.

The tuning is kept in check courtesy of Innovate LM 2 Lambda wide-band hardware and an EFILive software program. Although we couldn’t locate any solid dyno numbers anywhere, including Hocky’s own website, he does claim 11.80 ET’s in the standing 1/4-mile.

Given the car’s lightweight, we wouldn’t doubt it. The suspension is put together using a combination of aftermarket components and BMW E46 pieces, a Chrysler rearend sits out back, while a pair of Porsche 996 calipers are responsible for bringing this Strudelwagen to a halt.

Inside and out, top to bottom, the 242 is immaculate. Hocky has gone through every inch of the car striving for perfection. However, like his former projects, it’s time to unload it and move onto the next thing. It’s currently available on eBay with the reserve price of $65k, and although it’s a little out of our price range, we still wish him well with the sell.