The Volvo 740 is a classic. Not because it’s one of the most beautiful cars ever made, but because it’s a staple station wagon, popular among families who needed a lot of interior space before the age of SUVs. Sure, enthusiasts see these bricks as a treasure trove or a perfect base for a sleeper, but the truth is, there’s nothing outstanding about the 740… until one crazy gearhead gets his hands on one and makes it a showstopper.

We’re talking about Axel Pedro Hildebrand, who recently drove a Volvo 740 at the famous Hillclimb amid the festivities in West Sussex in the UK. But it’s not just an ordinary 740 – it’s stripped down to bare metal and was given a heart transplant. The new power plant is a Mazda three-rotor 20B rotary engine, paired with a turbocharger and the sheer will of a bonkers builder.