(Words and Photos by Kaleb Kelley) Last fall I pulled up in my Scamp at a local car show with my dad on a dreary Saturday morning and looked around only to see a very small group of cars. Even if the crowd had been huge, there was one that would have clearly stuck out from the crowd. That was Robert Jackson’s 1967 Volvo 122 Amazon, A.K.A., Volvo X. Honestly, if you get rid of the stickers, the thing looks pretty mellow. It’s the stance that initially threw me off. Then I started really looking into it. I probably talked to Robert for an hour or so that day, and the funny thing is that this was the car’s first real public unveil you might say. I ran into him again at GoodGuys Spring Lone Star Nationals and got to watch him tear it up on the autocross for the first time, which really had me excited. What makes this car extra cool is the fact that Robert has been running the car at multiple events this year since unveiling it, and has done well enough on Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car, that he’s gotten an invite to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in Vegas next weekend. Clearly, this is one Volvo that does a lot more than its designers and engineers intended. Robert has gotten these cars so dialed in that he now sells entire kits for these Volvo’s through his company Swedish Ops. Now, let me tell you why this car is simply awesome.
This car started out as a completely original, boring 1967 Volvo 122. He yanked out all of the boring motor and suspension and went to work to make it a stand-out car that he could drive wherever he wanted to. It has his own front and rear suspension setups all around and he recently replaced all the steel suspension parts with aluminum parts to keep the weight down. Keep in mind, this thing weighs less than 3000 pounds even with the steel suspension parts in it. Combine light weight and good power, and this thing is a proverbial Swedish rocket.
The front suspension system is a Mustang II based suspension setup with RideTech’s triple-adjustable coilovers. In the rear he has a 4-link that also has RideTech’s triple-adjustable coilovers. He originally was running QA1’s and had problems getting his spring rates right. He talked to RideTech about what they thought. They helped him figure out what spring rates he needed and he ordered the coilovers and found that difference was huge once he had the spring rates set up correctly, and got his adjustments made to suit the car and his driving.
It’s powered by a LS3 from Regal Performance that has been tuned by James Karger of LSTuner.com. This potent powerplant puts out over 600 horsepower at the crank.
All of that big power is sent through a Tremec TKO600 5-speed transmission with a McLeod twin disc clutch and aluminum flywheel. It also has a Speedway Mod-Light 9-inch rear end with 3.20 gears and an Eaton Trac Loc. It’s sitting on custom 18” Boze wheels with “Swedish Ops” machined into one of the spokes. A problem he has had with this car is stuffing big enough tires in the wheel wells to hold all of that power, which means he’s done a fair amount of tire testing to find the one that’s “just right”. After going through a couple of different tires, he finally purchased Dunlop Direzza ZII tires, that have great road manners and grip well on the autocross as well. He was only able to fit 225-series in the front and 265’s in the rear, and I’m surprised how well it hooks on the autocross.
The crazy thing is the tasteful body mods throughout that most people wouldn’t notice unless they really knew their Volvo’s. The rear fenders for example, are flared significantly, but actually look like they’re nearly even with the front. From the factory, these 122’s were actually wider in the front than the rear. For clearance sake, he did side exhaust outlets so that he wouldn’t have to worry about going over the rear end. The cowl on this car is also very custom, and features a custom cold air box that pulls air from the original cowl and shoves it into the built LS3.
Let us move on to the front, where nearly everything is custom. The front grill is custom, the front bumper is a custom one piece formed from the factory 3-piece bumper, the front turn signals were removed, and even a custom front air dam splitter made with APR’s carbon fiber that was made in house. The custom headlights with built-in turn signals built by Brian at Sick HID’s are really a unique touch as well. It also has faux custom stainless steel paint on the bumpers and trim by Chris Frasher at CF Designs in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
My favorite about this car is who much he drives it. I posted this on my Instagram page and I don’t know how many comments I had of, “I saw that driving in Ardmore,” and such. Robert really drives this car. Thankfully the stunning silver paint by Colors by Corbertt doesn’t look dirty very often, because it is nearly always dirty. I’m still waiting for the day that I see it all shined up, but knowing Robert, I shouldn’t hold my breath. My only chance will probably be the next week at SEMA where the car will be on display in Optima Alley. It will also be part of the SEMA Battle of the Builders at the Ignite show Friday after the show. Of course you can also see it at the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. I think this event is the most ideal in the country for Robert’s car. A lot of people build stunning pro-touring cars that drive well, ride well, and can destroy a road course, but not many get the daily driving beating that Robert’s Volvo X does. Keep an eye out for the car at SEMA and on TV on Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car on Mav TV, hosted by the one and only Chad Reynolds. He may call it the Volvo X, but I think the Volvo XXX might be even more appropriate.
Other than powertrain choice, absolute perfection.
agreed Gary, disappointing to find out it has a ls engine in it. very nice car that I would not mind owning. with a 3rd gen hemi though.
Such an awesome car. I recently bought and imported an 1969 Volvo Amazon Combi from Sweden. Waiting on it to arrive to my home in Austin, Texas. Would have been cooler with a modern Volvo motor in it but I can see the appeal of the LS motor. Better power plant than both Ford and Dodge.
http://youtu.be/WblrU3T5P14
Another engine alternative 🙂
I suggest you all seriously look into his business practices prior to running any more promo articles on Robert or his projects. Almost every volvo board I know of has a running thread of complaints against him for failure to deliver parts.
I have recieved my parts fine, and I know there are other customer home build cars and builds going on with his products at this time also, but I do know there were some delays with changes and I have some updated parts coming.
And being a one man operation it takes a while to make the parts..
Corb we hear that excuse constantly. This has been going on years, he’s been ripping off the volvo community for years now. Jake, please send all his satisified customers to http://www.turbobricks.com to help all the people persuing legal action maybe reconsider. I think all anyone wants is a proof of life from Robert and maybe you know, to return ANYONE’s phone calls and emails.
It’s not just the Volvo community he’s been ripping off. Just google “Robert Jackson Madill Oklahoma” or “Swedish Ops” or “Classic Auto Glass Innovations” or “iamtheonlyrealone” to see what this guy has been doing for years to all kinds of car enthusiasts. Being a “one-man operation” is no excuse–if he can’t deliver the goods in a reasonable time frame, he shouldn’t be taking people’s money, period. And he sure as hell shouldn’t be building show cars using the money customers sent him for parts that were not delivered! Judging by the chatter about him on various forums, he has made off with tens of thousands of dollars and never delivered any parts to many people, even two or three years later.
This guy is a flat out crook that took money from a number of unsuspecting customers and built this car with it. The Turbobricks admins closed his build thread a couple of years ago because there were already rumblings about him taking money and making excuses for not delivering product. He promised product or refunds and neither happened. You’d do us all a favor by pulling this blog entry and telling everyone who comes to see it the guy can’t be trusted and you’re taking a stand for honest business practices. Perhaps ask him to explain…
Folks, we know nothing of Robert Jackson’s business practices, and did not write this feature to support his company. This is a car feature, about a cool looking car that we know performs well, nothing more.
I feel like a built car is a reflection of its creator(s). Through this ruling, I can see this car is built on stolen money and broken dreams. You’re giving him free advertising for more people to fall into his trap.
Good article though. I just wish the man responsible for this car would also be more responsible for his so called “business”.
Ethics sleeps for no one. Leave this up so that people that google this guy can discover for themselves the risks of dealing with him.
Why feature the car if the owner is a scumbag? This crook doesn’t deserve to have his car featured in anything.
Robert Jackson is a scam artist. He owes parts or refunds to many people he scammed, failing to deliver on ordered products. I don’t buy excuses, he got their money and used his time and their money to build his car.
“Just google “Robert Jackson Madill Oklahoma” or “Swedish Ops” or “Classic Auto Glass Innovations” or “iamtheonlyrealone” to see what this guy has been doing for years to all kinds of car enthusiasts.”
/\ /\ /\ The car is neat, but Robert is using is as advertising for his various businesses. People who are considering buying anything from him are *WELL ADVISED* to search out what his past ‘customers’ experiences have been after they sent him money.
As far as anyone can tell, all the money people sent him went into that car.
That car is built with stolen money, plain and simple.
I have actually purchased parts, and there were some longer delays that I didn’t expect at all, but the quality of the parts were spot on and better than I had honestly expected. I have also been contacted about some changes that were made, and I am waiting on the changed parts to be delivered, but I am sure they will make it.
I saw some of the rumbling before ordering, and I had contacted others from build threads that had his parts, along with others that made the actual complaints being discussed. From there, I found out that the customers with the parts were very happy with them, and people I contacted that posted a complaint were taken care of in some fashion. All I can say is this, Robert was all over the internet during the build and development stages sharing what and how he was doing it, and I enjoyed reading the updates short of the negative arm chair engineers, but I did understand from the updates and build threads that it was all still being figured out and dialed in so I never got the impression any of it was off the shelf and immediately available at all. I am not saying that frustration didn’t kick in with me, and I am going to need more of his parts to complete the package for what I am building, but I appreciate that he came through for me and I will take a chance on the next parts.
^^”people I contacted that posted a complaint were taken care of in some fashion.”
Is “taken care of in some fashion” a euphemism for “cheated and ignored”? Because out of all the many complaints I have seen posted from Robert’s customers on various forums, it appears that at most, one or two have ever gotten their parts (and even then, only after years of pestering Robert to come up with the goods he took money for). The rest? Still waiting and receiving no communication whatsoever. How this guy has the gall to show this car anywhere is beyond me.
I can say I helped fund this car or Robert’s. Due to him never producing and delivering me the suspension that I purchased from him over 1 year ago. I am not the only on in this boat either. So Robert, I assume you used my money to help you fund your personal build while hiding from every form of communication known to man. This company/guy/car should not receive good publicity until he proves his is an actual business man who cares for the good and satisfaction of his customers.
Yep, I’m another one taken in by Robert Jackson. Paid for a suspension kit nearly 2 1/2 years ago, and still nothing. No parts, no refund, and no contact. It’s pretty easy to see what type of person he is.
Due to the number of individuals that Robert Jackson has virtually scammed money out of and the nature that ‘we’ (enthusiasts that have paid for either a suspension product, glass product or any their product from him) are all over different forums and boards I am making an attempt to gather all our stories together in a central location. This man has left a terrible taste in my mouth from the experience I have with him. We all know all of our funds we sent his way with the promise we would receive a product of some sort from him, have allowed him to build his numerous cars while neglecting all customer goods. If you want to email me for any reason on contact points that may help others you can do at [email protected]. Our community does not need a man running a scam like the one he is, and casting a shadow over those businesses that actually care for the good of their customers and make quality products. Robert has a reputation of hiding behind a curtain and selling his products to enthusiastic builders and then falling off the face of the earth and away from all forms of communication. We need to pull together to share our full stories to build the best case that this man has stolen from us and is running a fraudulent business and shall serve the consequences.
Again email is [email protected]
It will be a Facebook community/forum at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robert-Jackson-Scam#!/pages/Robert-Jackson-Scam/770678646338770
If you are having trouble finding the page email me and I can see what the issue might be.
To order products from this car’s builder, Robert Jackson, simply stuff a few grand into your open wallet and hold it out of the window as you drive down the freeway. You’ll never see your money again, receive a package or hear a word from Robert, just like everyone else who bought somthing from him. I hope the legal proceedings being brought against him shut him down this time.
What would the proper procedure be to report him?
If I had to guess, it’d be gathering all correspondence to and from him along with any PP or CC financial transactions and contacting his state’s attorney general’s office.
http://www.ok.gov/oag/
Also contact YOUR local PD.
Make sure you have EVERYTHING you’ve sent or received. Don’t mention anything about “what you’ve heard” or anything based on hearsay. Just stick to your own facts.
Nothing will happen unless all parties with issues with this man come together at once. This is the 21st century, use the information about him found on the internet. Just do a Google search of Robert Jackson, Swedish Ops and his business phone number and you’ll see all there is to see.
Wow I had no idea what was going on with delays or lack of communication as a whole, but I have received my parts even though they were late. As one of the previous posters said, the parts were better than I had expected and went right in the car with no issue, and I have also been contacted about necessary changed parts coming my way, and how important it was to change them when they arrive. I purchased my kit because another person I know has been driving their 4cyl version P1800 around with his front end kit with no issue, and I have seen a couple of other non build threads out there using his parts, so I thought all was good to proceed with my order and it did work out.
I will send out an email to him to find out what is going on, because there are a few more items like headers and other things I need to complete my build, so I hope all is good and all of this is overblown because the parts fit the bill nicely.
I sent Robert Jackson $1500.00 3 years ago no glass kit or my promised refund!! So frustrated!! I will be contacting Oklahomas attorney general today before he gets someone else!!
Robert Jackson of Swedish OPPS or Classic Auto Glass Innovations is a scammer!! I sent him $1500.00 over 3 yrs ago for one of his glass kits still no glass or promised refund!! Robert Jackson of 110 n 1st st, Madill,OK 73446 (580) 263-0454 BEWARE!!! ( Facebook)( Robertjacksonscam )and join the list of people he has scammed!! I have joined the list of people at the Oklahoma Attorney Generals office that is investigating all of our claims!! If you don’t believe me do a web search on this guy!!
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I have paid Swedish Ops / Unique Suspensions solutions $3737 in 2011 and I have still not received my suspension kit. I just get feel-good fairy tales from Mr. Robert Jackson. It is sad because he seems to be talented and could a major force in the automotive community. I had been silent for 3 years because I believed in him. How naïve I was.