This article is about Volvo PV444 and Volvo PV544. For other Volvo PV models, see Volvo PV.
The Volvo PV is a series of two-door, four-passenger car models — the PV444 and the PV544 — made by Volvo from 1947 to 1965. During World War II's early stages, Volvo decided that a new, smaller car that could deliver good fuel economy would assure the company's future. A raw materials shortage during the war drove home the point that an automobile should be smaller, and also complicated Volvo's ability to mass-produce the product. In 1944, when the car was finally introduced to a car-hungry public, response was very positive and orders poured in from the Swedish population. It was another three years though, until 1947, before series production began.
The PV quickly earned a reputation for being strong and rugged, although the design was considered outdated from early on.[1] The PV also competed successfully, in the American SCCA class but also internationally, with a second-hand PV544 memorably winning the Safari Rally in 1965.[2] No PV 544 were produced in 1966. Last production was October 1965, some were sold in 1966 and titled as such, but last model year is 1965.
The PV444 was Volvo's first unibody car. Its body structure was influenced by the 1939 Hanomag 1.3 litre, which was purchased and studied by Volvo engineers.[3] It was also the first Volvo in almost 20 years to come with a four-cylinder engine (earlier models had used side-valve straight sixes). The first PV444s were powered by 40 PS 1.4 L inline-four engines designated B4B, with three main bearings, overhead valves, and a single downdraft carburettor. The power of this engine increased to 44 PS (32 kW) in October 1950, and to 51 PS (38 kW) in October 1955. US models, beginning to appear in early 1956, received an up-rated version called the B14A, which was given twin side-draft 1½ in SU carburetors for a total of 70 hp.[4] Most early US sales were limited to Texas and southern California.[1] American customers also had the option of European delivery, in which case they could also get a cheaper model with the basic B4B engine.[4]
By the 1957 model year[vague], engine displacement was increased to 1.6 L and both single downdraft- B16A and twin side-draught carburetted B16B versions were offered.
1954 PV 444 HS, showing the new full-sized rear windscreen
In 1958, the PV544 was phased in. Subtle differences with the PV444 included the introduction of a curved one-piece windshield to replace the two panes of flat glass, larger taillights, and a ribbon-type speedometer. The 444's three-speed manual transmission was also supplanted by a four-speed unit in the 544. The interior was modified to accommodate five people instead of four by increasing the width of the back seat and using thinner backrests on the front seats.
The next significant change occurred in 1962, when the B16 was replaced by Volvo's new B18 engine, initially developed for the P1800sports car introduced the previous year. This 1.8 L engine had five main bearings. Again single and twin carburettor versions were offered, designated B18A and B18D, respectively. The US market saw very few[vague] B18A cars since the United States' public prioritised performance over fuel economy. Also in 1962, Volvo changed from 6- to 12-volt electrical systems. In 1963 Volvo began producing the 544 at their new Canadian Dartmouth/Halifax plant, the first Volvo plant to be located outside of Sweden.
The PV544 was also made as an estate (wagon), the Duett, initially designated the P445 and later the P210.
The 544 received incremental mechanical revisions and trim changes until its final production year of 1965. Exactly 440,000 units were built during the 18-year run. The car had so endeared itself to its owners that Volvo ran self-deprecating advertisements in late 1965 and early 1966 imploring PV owners not to be angry with the company.
The Duett's utility allowed Volvo to continue the wagon's production through the 1969 model year. These were then replaced in some markets by a high-roof version of the Volvo 145, called the Express.
Volvo PV544
Referencesedit
^ abWherry, Joe H. (1956). Economy Car Blitz. Westport, Connecticut: Associated Booksellers. pp. 141–143. 56-12608.
^Cecil, Eric (1973). "The East African Safari Rally & Joginder Singh". sikh-heritage.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
^ abFlammang, James M. (1994). Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, 1946–1990. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 644–645. ISBN0-87341-158-7.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volvo PV444.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volvo PV544.
Commercial chassis
May 02, 2024
volvo, pv444, this, article, about, volvo, pv444, volvo, pv544, other, volvo, models, volvo, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged,. This article is about Volvo PV444 and Volvo PV544 For other Volvo PV models see Volvo PV This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Volvo PV444 544 news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2013 Learn how and when to remove this message The Volvo PV is a series of two door four passenger car models the PV444 and the PV544 made by Volvo from 1947 to 1965 During World War II s early stages Volvo decided that a new smaller car that could deliver good fuel economy would assure the company s future A raw materials shortage during the war drove home the point that an automobile should be smaller and also complicated Volvo s ability to mass produce the product In 1944 when the car was finally introduced to a car hungry public response was very positive and orders poured in from the Swedish population It was another three years though until 1947 before series production began Volvo PV444 544Volvo PVOverviewManufacturerVolvo PersonvagnarProduction1944 1965DesignerHelmer PettersonBody and chassisBody style2 door fastbackChronologySuccessorVolvo Amazon The PV quickly earned a reputation for being strong and rugged although the design was considered outdated from early on 1 The PV also competed successfully in the American SCCA class but also internationally with a second hand PV544 memorably winning the Safari Rally in 1965 2 No PV 544 were produced in 1966 Last production was October 1965 some were sold in 1966 and titled as such but last model year is 1965 Contents 1 PV444 2 PV544 3 References 4 External linksPV444 editPV444 nbsp Volvo PV444OverviewProduction1944 1958Body and chassisLayoutFR layoutPowertrainEngine1 4 L B4B I41 4 L B14A I41 6 L B16A I41 6 L B16B I4Transmission3 speed manual The PV444 was Volvo s first unibody car Its body structure was influenced by the 1939 Hanomag 1 3 litre which was purchased and studied by Volvo engineers 3 It was also the first Volvo in almost 20 years to come with a four cylinder engine earlier models had used side valve straight sixes The first PV444s were powered by 40 PS 1 4 L inline four engines designated B4B with three main bearings overhead valves and a single downdraft carburettor The power of this engine increased to 44 PS 32 kW in October 1950 and to 51 PS 38 kW in October 1955 US models beginning to appear in early 1956 received an up rated version called the B14A which was given twin side draft 1 in SU carburetors for a total of 70 hp 4 Most early US sales were limited to Texas and southern California 1 American customers also had the option of European delivery in which case they could also get a cheaper model with the basic B4B engine 4 By the 1957 model year vague engine displacement was increased to 1 6 L and both single downdraft B16A and twin side draught carburetted B16B versions were offered nbsp 1954 PV 444 HS showing the new full sized rear windscreenPV544 editPV544 nbsp OverviewProduction1958 1966Body and chassisLayoutFR layoutPowertrainEngine1 6L B16 I41 8L B18A I41 8L B18D I4Transmission3 speed manual4 speed manual In 1958 the PV544 was phased in Subtle differences with the PV444 included the introduction of a curved one piece windshield to replace the two panes of flat glass larger taillights and a ribbon type speedometer The 444 s three speed manual transmission was also supplanted by a four speed unit in the 544 The interior was modified to accommodate five people instead of four by increasing the width of the back seat and using thinner backrests on the front seats The next significant change occurred in 1962 when the B16 was replaced by Volvo s new B18 engine initially developed for the P1800 sports car introduced the previous year This 1 8 L engine had five main bearings Again single and twin carburettor versions were offered designated B18A and B18D respectively The US market saw very few vague B18A cars since the United States public prioritised performance over fuel economy Also in 1962 Volvo changed from 6 to 12 volt electrical systems In 1963 Volvo began producing the 544 at their new Canadian Dartmouth Halifax plant the first Volvo plant to be located outside of Sweden The PV544 was also made as an estate wagon the Duett initially designated the P445 and later the P210 The 544 received incremental mechanical revisions and trim changes until its final production year of 1965 Exactly 440 000 units were built during the 18 year run The car had so endeared itself to its owners that Volvo ran self deprecating advertisements in late 1965 and early 1966 imploring PV owners not to be angry with the company The Duett s utility allowed Volvo to continue the wagon s production through the 1969 model year These were then replaced in some markets by a high roof version of the Volvo 145 called the Express nbsp Volvo PV544References edit a b Wherry Joe H 1956 Economy Car Blitz Westport Connecticut Associated Booksellers pp 141 143 56 12608 Cecil Eric 1973 The East African Safari Rally amp Joginder Singh sikh heritage co uk Retrieved 2013 09 12 1944 The body imprisoned in Russian a b Flammang James M 1994 Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946 1990 Iola Wisconsin Krause Publications pp 644 645 ISBN 0 87341 158 7 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volvo PV444 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volvo PV544 Commercial chassis Pictures and Article about a PV444 in Uruguay Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Volvo PV444 544 amp oldid 1151452054, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
