Marcos Maniacs

Hello from a newbie to this forum.  Happy New Year to all.

I'm looking at buying a '70 Volvo V6 here in the US where I currently 
reside.  I've previously owned a '69 Ford V6 in Hong Kong (an 
interesting motoring experience, mind the ducks) and thrashed my '91 
Mantula Spyder around most of the difficult roads in Europe, complete 
with snow chains.  And how ...

I am no techie, however, and something is confusing me.  My Ford V6 
had very low (rear axle?) gearing.  Although it would leave the grid 
like a Geordie offered a Belgian Beer, it used to make horrible whiny 
noises at 65 miles an hour in top.  No overdrive, of course.  At the 
time, I put it down to a previous owner having played with the cogs 
to impress his local ice cream parlour, never intending to actually 
leave his village.  

My '91 car was 'normal' and the only problem I seemed to experience 
at high speed was take-off.  

However, the Volvo V6 I am contemplating adding to my wife's problems 
seems to have the same set-up; that is, wheelie capability to put 
most dragsters to shame but a realistic top speed in fourth of the 
average ice cream van.  The owner is mumbling something 
about 'probably 441 gearing', and knowledgeable friends with De 
Tomaso Mangustas are simply suggesting replacement of such cloggy 
coggies by 340s or 355s.

I bow, however, to the assembled wisdom of this esteemed group and 
would be pleased to hear from Volvo V6 owners about whatsitallabout.  
Were low ratios standard fare for this car?  Or did good ole Jem give 
us cheeky options at the time?  I dunno, I woz only 19, guv ....

Awaiting all friendly assistance in my deliberations, with thanks,
Mark Beaumont