Back Volvo PV444 Byelorussian Volvo PV444 German Volvo PV444/544 Greek Volvo PV French וולוו PV444 / PV544 HE Volvo PV Italian ボルボ・PV444/544 Japanese Volvo PV444 Dutch Volvo PV 444 NB Volvo PV544 Polish
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2013) |
| Volvo PV444/544 | |
|---|---|
.JPG) 1957 Volvo PV 444 LS | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Personvagnar |
| Production | 1944–1965 |
| Designer | Helmer Petterson |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door fastback |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Volvo Amazon |
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The PV quickly earned a reputation for being strong and rugged, although the design was considered outdated from early on.[1] The PV also competed successfully, in the American SCCA class but also internationally, with a second-hand PV544 memorably winning the Safari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.
- ^ Wherry, 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.