Year and place: 1927-1998, Göteborg. (Then Volvo Cars was bought by Ford Motor Company, and the rest of Volvo formed the Volvo Group).
Konditori 100 texts: GL / Larson Volvo 1927-1959 Volvo 1960-1998 Volvo Group 1999- Volvo/Ford 1999-
Part 1 of 2.
For the very first start, read about GL / Larson and the production of 10 test cars that resulted in the company Volvo and its first models.
Volvo is one of Swedens most wellknown and longlived car producers.
From the factory car park in Göteborg. (No, not everyone drives a Volvo.)
The new company, with the name of an elder ball-bearing producing company, began moving into empty factory buildings that earlier had housed another ball-bearing producing company. This was in October 1926. The name of the new company, Volvo, is latin and means 'I roll'.
And things began to roll. This was from the beginning a large investment. Lots of money, especially compared to most of the swedish-made cars described on these web pages.
But, not everything went perfect.
Preparations
In the late autumn of 1926 Volvo let an external expert test three of the test cars. It was a swedish engineer working at Hupmobile, in Detroit, visiting Sweden. This showed among others that they ought to have 6-cylinder engines instead of the 4-cylinder engines used. It was not possible to make such a large change with the production plan, but the idea was accepted. Some weeks later another swede working with an american car company, Pontiac, was employed.
The plan was to sell 1.000 cars the first year, with an export of 400 cars. 500 of the cars were to be open cars, and the rest covered. All were expected to be sold already during the first year.
Production start was planned to be in January 1927, but was replanned to April.
In February 1927 the first sales folder was released. The photos showed one of the test cars, but the design had been changed for the mass-produced cars.
The first mass-produced car
In the early morning of April 14th the last parts for the first car arrived by the night train from Stockholm. After fast work during the morning the first Volvo was finished around 10 AM on Maundy Thursday (one of the holy days in christian easter celebration).
The pride the workers must have felt, soon was changed inte another feeling. It was discovered that the transmission was put together in a wrong way, so the car had one gear forward and three rear gears. Well, this was rather easy to get in order.
The first Volvo was an open car, called ÖV4 (where ÖV stands for 'öppen vagn' - open wagon).
Five days later the car was on display at the reseller in Stockholm.
The ÖV4 cars
The body was made of metal on a frame of wood. It had 5 seats and 4 doors. The 28hp engine gave the car a top speed of 90 km/h.
The open Volvo had not the demand expected. Only 205 ÖV4 was built before the model went out of production in mid 1929. The last sold ÖV4 was not sold until in 1930.
Of these cars 70 were delivered as pickup trucks and 27 as plain chassises that got various bodies.
But the ÖV4 was not a bad car. It participated in a number of competitions. The best result was made in a rally, combining speed, economy and quality, in September 1928. The trip was made Moscow - Leningrad - Moscow, covering 1.360 kilometres. A Volvo was the only car without any penalty points.
The PV4 cars
The first covered Volvo, called PV4, was finished a couple of months later than the ÖV4. (PV stands for 'personvagn'.)
It was a practical car. At least some of them had side doors opening like on a cabinet, and the doorpost between them could be removed giving one big opening. Besides the car seats could be folded to become a bed, so the car was able to transport sick people too.
Its design had changed quite a lot compared to the test car, and not to the better according to onlookers. One reason was that the body was produced in the french Weymann-way, where a wooden frame was covered with 'fake leather'. This was cheaper than a metal body, but was harder to give a good design.
Despite the design the covered cars was in greater demand than the open. The first version was produced in 443 copies. From 1928 they also delivered 251 Volvo PV4 Special, which was redesigned.
The first trucks and buses The swedish army used some ambulances built on LV40, probably as late as during World War II. While the private cars did not give Volvo positive economic figures, the trucks did. Until 1948 more trucks and buses were produced than cars, and into the 1950s trucks and buses were the larger part of Volvos profit. The 6-cylinder engine One test was participation with two ÖV4 in a winter rally Stockholm - Gothenburg - Stockholm. One car finished first and the other eleventh. Volvo tried to keep the test secret, but rumours leaked and the cars were called 'the mystic cars'. Volvo PV651 was presented in late April 1929. The figure 6 stands for 6 cylinders, 5 for 5 seats, and 1 for series number 1. Sales started in July. August was the first month with profit from Volvos car production business. Not large, less than one third of the price of one PV651, but positive. The car was larger than PV4, and had a better design. The body was designed by the same artist that designed the ten test cars (the GL/Larson cars). Metal body on a wooden frame, but the roof was made of a leather-like stuff. The engine, named DB, gave 55 hp, giving the 1.500 kilogram heavy car a top speed of 110 km/h. The front seats could be adjusted in various ways, including folded back to make two beds. Volvo PV650 was the same car, but sold without a body. It was mostly used for ambulances and funeral cars. In the early 1930s PV652 was a more exclusive version of the PV651. Most changes were technical improvements, like hydraulic brakes. The engines grew, too. In 1932 a new gearbox was introduced, in order to reduce fuel consumption up to 20% at cruising speed. By now the engine gave 65hp, and in 1935 it was up over 80hp. A number of special cars were built. Among these a Volvo 658 built for the swedish king in 1935. In 1933 one PV655 chassis was delivered with a DC 6-cylinder 75hp engine made for trucks, and this car got a luxurious body with a soft top. I guess that engine was the swedish-constructed Hesselman-engine made for trucks. It used crude oil but had spark plugs, but it could also be used with other kinds of fuel, like petrol and alcohol. Volvos first bus on a dedicated bus chassis, the B1, came in 1934. During the 30s the bus trend was bigger, heavier and more powerful. And the first Volvo fire engines were in action (sadly, in a way - with fires I mean). One of them made a big improvement to the firemen, with their seats behind doors - but still without a roof. In 1933 the export of Volvo passenger cars began, to the Netherlands. Air begins to flow The airflow design from PV36 was to a large extent used in the PV51 released in late 1936. This was a car aimed at a wider consumer group. It cost a little more than other car makes with similar models, but Volvos reputation of quality cars made it sell well. Even though it was a bit too simplified. The PV51 was also sold as a 4-door pickup. The body was higher than the usual PV51. The late 30s PV51 Special, with the spare wheel inside the boot, was sold from March 1938. It was made in various colours, and with different interiors, to be more attractive to buy. Later also PV52 came as a Special. At the end of the year a number of new cars were introduced. The standard cars PV53 and 54, and the deluxe versions PV55 and PV56. Three new taxi models, built for seven passengers, was presented as PV801 and PV802 and the chassis version PV810. In 1939 the truck series LV125 was introduced. The series, including 126, 127 and 128, was in production until 1949, and 10.200 of them were produced. And Volvos were spread a little more. Exports began to Belgium in 1937. Then came World War II. War time production The war shortages made people use more wood for heating, and small fires became more usual. This was the primary reason for Stockholm to buy 6 new fire engines in 1940-41, smaller ones on the Volvo LV125-chassis. This way they could use the smaller ones for small fires, and leave the heavy ones in the garage. And the jubilee car this time, Volvo number 50.000 delivered on September 6th 1941, was a truck. But it was not a total stop on the peace-time production. In September preliminary plans were ready for the successor to PV53-56. These models were still in production, with some models built with a modified engine for producer-gas. A number of prototypes were built of the coming PV60, a large car with design inspired from american cars. At the same times plans were made for a smaller car. And the planning for post-war trucks were also going on. In the 1940s Volvo also started the production of tractors aimed at use on farms. Preparing for the end of the war, and the restart of peacetime production, Volvo had a large exhibition in Stockholm in September 1944. The top numbers were the PV60 and the PV444. A great restart, but with problems Then the engineering industry was struck by a long strike, with negative effects for the production into 1946. There were also problems getting steel for the production. In the meantime the few finished cars were used for extensive tests on the swedish gravel roads. The late 40s In 1946 the production of PV60 slowly began. Despite the 'old' design the car sold rather well. Totally 3.000 were produced, and 500 PV61 (the chassis version). And the popular taxis in the pre-war 800-series were still in production. The big hit was however, as predicted already during the planning stage, the small car. PV444 This car became during the years the most loved car in Sweden. When production started of the first planned 12,000 cars, 10,181 already were sold. During the coming ten years more than 100.000 PV444s were produced. And it didn't stop there. Into the 50s Volvo also got into another transport business in 1949, when they got a majority holding in another company and changed the name to Svenska Flygmotor AB. This way Volvo got into the production of the first Swedish-made turbojet engine, licensed from de Haviland in the U.K., used in swedish air crafts. Since the start in 1927, the year 1949 was the first year when more cars were produced than trucks and buses. In 1950 two new taxis were introduced, the PV831 and PV832. Large and spacy cars, but still just 5,2 metres long. They became very popular, and got the nickname 'Suggan' (the mother pig). Between 1950 and 1957 they were produced in 4.135 units. Volvo also purchased AB Bolinder-Munktell, a company producing construction and farming machines. So, Volvo went into the 50s with one large hit in the production line, and some other good products. And the first ideas for a new car. The early 50s Other roomy vehicles were the Volvo buses. A model that made a hit in the early 50s was the mid-engine chassis. This had a horizontal engine nicknamed the "Pancake". Will be or not will be Swedens first wheel-loader was introduced in 1954, in cooperation with Br Lundberg in Skellefteå. At the end of 1954 Volvo presented another 'invention', a 5-year motor vehicle damage warranty included in the price of the car. Volvo undertook to pay all repair costs exceeding 200 Swedish kronor resulting from accident or damage for a period of 5 years. Another big small one This car was a 4-door model with a unitised fully-welded body that had got a thorough anti-rust treatment. Initially it had the new 60hp B16A engine. And, it was the first Volvo that was sold in 2-tone colour combinations. This was Volvos next big seller. A series of successes The PV444 was improved through the years, and in January 1956 the 100.000th PV444 was produced. Later that spring the PV444 was exhibited at a car show in New York, and it got a good reception. By the summer Volvo had more than one hundred dealers in the U.S.A. The estate car Volvo Duett was introduced in its third version in 1956. In 1958 the 800-series went out of production, after that more than 4.000 taxis had been made. By now Volvo dominated the taxi car market in Sweden. In 1958 the first vehicle made for work in the forest industry was constructed. (Vehicles for this industry were in production until 1977). In 1959 PV544 and Amazon was sold with three-point safety belts. This made Volvo the first car manufacturer selling cars with safety belts as a standard fitting. Volvos image as cars with high quality and safety was improved. More, more ... Volvo was also the first company that had series production of turbocharged diesel engines in buses, beginning in 1955. The B635 was one of the first models equipped with the engine, and it became a popular vehicle both as a tourist coach and as a route-trafficing bus. And Volvo engines were used in Swedish jet fighters, and in larger boats. Nothing negative? Well, some people mean that the private car successes made the truck production come in second hand. Do you know that the 59 Volvo was noticed in the U.S.A. in a rather unusual way. In 1959 Dootone Records released '59 Volvo' performed by the The Medallions? The first rhythm'n'blues record anticipating the coming of the European car into the American market? The story continues With good speed into the 60s
2007-04-10. www.konditori100.se. Text/pictures: Arne Granfoss ©. Prod: AG Informice
The planning for Volvos first truck began in December 1926, and it was presented in the winter 1927-28. Export began the same year, with 24 trucks. In the spring of 1928 the first bus came, a truck chassis with a bus body.
The truck was called the Type 1, or LV40 ('lastvagn' - cargo wagon). Trucks and buses were delivered as chassises, and finished by various coachwork companies for a number of variations. This way they were easier to export - the buyer could make them suit local requirements.
The final decision about the 6-cylinder engine was made in June 1928, and the first engines were tested in early 1929.
A number of new models were released in the early 1930s.
The PV653 and 654 (a de luxe version) had a softer, more rounder, design. In 1935 the models in the 600-series consisted of 656 to 659.
TR models were also produced, specially 'aimed' at the taxi market. Two seven-seated cars were on sale from 1930, and 1934 the models ranged from TR 670 (without body) to TR 679. In 1935 came TR 701 to TR 704.
At the end of 1933 a working prototype of a streamlined car was presented by Gustaf L-M Ericsson. He had worked on commission by Volvo, in order to test the market, and he used ideas he got some years before. The car with its radical new design was called 'Venus Bilo'. (You can read more about it on the 'Venus Bilo' webpage.)
Ideas from 'Venus Bilo' had been used for Volvo PV36, the 'Carioca', presented in 1935. It was a more exclusive car, and only 500 was planned to be built. For the first time a Volvo had a full metal body. The 'Carioca' was a 6-seater, wide enough for 3 persons abreast.
In early 1937 PV52 came. It was basically a better equipped version of the PV51.
Volvo had in some way foreseen the coming war, and had made producer-gas units since the spring of 1939. With the fuel shortages in wartime, producer-gas was an alernative. It worked ok, but the cars had to carry equipment to produce and use charcoal. For the drivers it was rather much work with this fuel.
During the war most of the production was for the swedish army. Among the military vehicles were also trucks different from Volvos peacetime models. Armoured Scania-Vabis bodies were also mounted on Volvo 4-wheel drive chassis, named VKP (in difference from the Scania-Vabis named SKP). Volvo also built half-track trucks.
Cross-country vehicles were naturally in demand, and among others Volvo built the TPV, a terrain car based initially on the PV800 series, that would be in use for lots of years.
During the ten days long exhibition 150.000 visitors came. And 2.300 contracts were signed by buyers of PV444. The want for the car was so high, that some people were willing to pay the double price for a contract with an early delivery date. The PV60 was more of a pre-war model, but received rather good interest too.
In 1945 Volvos first bus with a diesel engine, the VDA, was presented. The year after came the first diesel truck, the LV150. The years after the war brought a large demand for vehicles. Volvos production of trucks was doubled, and the bus production six-folded during a few years.
The first model, presented in 1944 and in production from February 1947, had a short-stroke 4-cylinder engine giving 40hp. This small B4B engine was extremely economical on petrol. The unitised body was all-steel, with an America-inspired design. The PV444 was the first car on this planet having a laminated windscreen for better safety in case of a collission.
In 1949 Volvo had grown to a large company. During the 40s a number of companies had been bought, and around 6.000 employees worked in the Volvo Group. More than 100.000 vehicles had been produced, of which 20.000 had been exported.
A modified 444-chassis was sold from 1950, as PV 445. It was also exported to South-American countries like Brazil, Peru and Uruguay. This chassis was completed by various coachwork companies into small vans and pickups. Later this would become another great one from Volvo.
In September 1950 the B-series of the PV444 was introduced. In the centre of the roof it had a T-shaped indicator, called "Fixlight". The C-series followed in 1951, and that year PV444 number 25.000 left the plant. In the D-series introduced in 1952 the "Fixlight" was gone again. The PV444 was even more improved with the E-series that was sold from April 1953, and that year PV444 was the best selling car in Sweden. In December 1954 it was time for the H-series.
In the summer of 1953 the next big hit from Volvo was introduced. The Duett, an estate car that became famous for its luggage capacity.
During the early 50s Volvo worked with a number of new models, with various results. Among the more well known is Philip, a large car with a design like the american Kaiser of the time. It had a 3,5 litre Volvo V8 giving 120hp. Only one car was built - I don't know why.
One model that got into production was the P1900, an open 2-seated sports car. The body was made of fibreglass-reinforced plastic, and it had puncture-proof tyres. Three prototypes toured in Sweden from June 1954, and the response was very positive. But, by various reasons, only 67 P1900s were built in 1954-55.
An Amazon hit mankind in the late summer of 1956. The models were named P120 abroad.
In the second half of the 50s Volvo made it big in several ways.
In 1958, to great surprise, it was followed by PV544. The Amazon didn't kill the PV444.
At the end of the 50s more than 39.000 Volvos were registered in Sweden. And in the spring of 1959 the 122S and the PV544 were introduced in the U.S.A. And in 1959 a new sports car was presented.