LS Fest has a knack for bringing out the crazies. You know the kind – people who think a little differently. Guys who don’t settle for the status quo. And this year’s LS Fest West at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was no exception. That’s where we spotted Griffin Steinfeld's 1986 Volvo 240, powered by a wicked supercharged LS3.

But just because Steinfeld took the road less traveled when building his Swedish supercar, that doesn’t mean this machine isn’t constructed with a healthy dose of sanity. The explosion of drag-and-drive events has people building cars differently nowadays. Reliability, street worthiness, and maintenance are at the forefront. And the result of that attention to detail is a strong performing car that goes about its business with consistent, drama-free confidence. The car had seen some 1/8th mile passes already, but made its first ¼-mile pass at LS Fest West this year, bringing in a smooth, wheelstanding, and impressive 9.01 E/T at 142 mph. “Go anywhere, anytime, all the time,” said Griffin. “We’ve done just that. I’ve put a few thousand miles on it with no issues.”

“That pass was just with the foot brake, and right off idle, too,” continued Griffin. “Turn this sucker up and we’ll go 8.50s.” Was that the goal all along? “Well, it’s the new goal today after seeing how fast it went.”

Metal fabrication, engine building, and suspension tuning are all talents in themselves, but building a consistent and reliable car requires more than talent. “I wanted to push the limits of what we could do with zero maintenance,” said Griffin.

The project originally started with the influence of friends, as a few of his pals already had wagons. This 240 came from someone who owned eight Volvo wagons. She told Griffin to pick the best one for $2,500. He opted for one with a straight body, roll-up windows, and a lower trim level for less weight. He drove it for a while until the original motor snapped a timing belt. “I then started looking at what it would take to LS-swap it,” said Griffin. “I built this whole car from the Holley website.” It features a Holley Dominator ECU, a Holley LS-Swap oil pan, and a ton of cooling components.

He then called friends at Hustler Racing Engines in Riverside, CA. “I told Nick, zero maintenance, good drivability, and call me when it’s done. He spec’d the thing from top to bottom.” The final result was a 370ci LS3 running a custom cam, topped with a Magnuson 2650 supercharger that has dual throttle bodies prominently sticking through the hood. The transmission is a specially-built 4L80E from Maximum Off-Road Transmissions in Hesperia, California. Out back is a Ford 9-inch rearend paired with Mickey Thompson Pro 275 tires. Up front are stock Volvo wheels/tires and factory brakes.

Inside, it's all purpose-built. Griffin called his friend Jeff Jones, who is known for talented metal work, normally on rat rods. He built the certified cage, “And he did it in less time than most take just to get a game plan together.” said Griffin.

Griffin still has the rear-facing seats to add back later, “For anyone who’s psycho enough to sit back there.”

The meticulous attention to detail extends beyond the engine bay, with Performance Fuel Systems handling the wiring and plumbing.

Remarkably, the entire build was completed in just five weeks. “It’s been absolutely flawless,” said Griffin. The Volvo runs with a Flex Fuel sensor set up through the Dominator to switch up the tune depending on 93-octane or E85. “I don't have to think about anything; just dump the fuel in and go.”

Once the parts were all in place, the car went from a roller to a driver in only three days, thanks to the help of friends and companies like Woods Performance. Beyond drag racing, Steinfeld's passion for unique builds is evident, with plans underway for a Holley-equipped ‘32 Model B rat rod, also by Jeff Jones.

You can follow Griffin Steinfeld's journey on Instagram @GriffinSteinfeld