This year’s SEMA just wouldn’t be complete without Girl Gang Garage and their restomod project, Iron Maven. The talented all-girls team brought an ancient Volvo PV544 back to life using a modern powertrain.
The PV544 was the manufacturer’s first car to come out following the World War II. This particular example was found in a half-decayed state in a farm near Phoenix, Arizona, USA. It demanded a full-scale restoration before anything could be done with its powertrain.
The women fabricated some parts themselves and printed some others on a 3D printer. The coupe ended with a modern suspension system, comfortable steering and an up-to-date multimedia unit. Its purple livery dubbed ‘Rebelberry’ pays homage to the vivid colors Volvo cars wore in the distant past.
The chassis had to be modified substantially to run a completely different engine. The choice fell on the hybrid drivetrain powering the Volvo S60 Recharge, which consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and accompanying electronics. The whole system pumps out a healthy 415 PS (409 hp / 305 kW) along with 640 Nm (472 lb-ft) of near-instant torque.
Per GGG, a total of 160 women participated in the project over the course of 18 months. The restomod itself was announced by Bogi Lateiner in July 2021. Aside from its obvious goals, the project aimed to demonstrate that females are every bit as capable at building cars as men are.