A 70's era Pinto, on the track, with just a tad bit of work is a lot faster and more agile than you might expect. I used to take great delight in beating a co-workers Triumph TR-6 around our local mall, after closing. I beat her every time. There's a group of guys that SCCA race them (for me, at Summit Point Raceway). My buddy has a Pinto with a blown 351 Cleveland in it, that smokes just about anything.
I don't think new Volvo's are built quite like the old Volvo's (unless you are taking big truck Volvo's!)