Bug Tank - Volvo PV444/PV544 #blogspot

World War II have finally come to an end. Thanks to raw materials shortage during the war, the Swedish market is now in need of a small car that’s economical and tough. And that’s why the Volvo PV444/544 was born.

Production Date: 1944 - 1966 (PV444: 1944 - 1958, PV544: 1958 - 1966)

The car is actually built and developed at WW2. Despite the fact that a team of 60 designers and engineers had been working on the PV444 for at least two years, but it was not until 1944 Volvo decided to launch the car at the newly built Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm, alongside the PV60, which was essentially a pre-war sedan.

Public response is positive, and orders were made. Suprisingly, production never started until 1947 after three years of rigorous testing. The pilot batch of cars featured black exterior paint, with the interior metal parts painted in a light green color.

Quickly, the PV444 gained reputation of being strong and reliable, like any Volvo after it. Yet, however, the Volvo PV444 used an outdated design. Nevertheless, the PV444 and it’s sucessor (with an almost same shape) PV544, sold as much as 530,467 units in it’s 22-year production run.

The PV444 is Volvo’s first uni-body car. It was also the first Volvo in almost 20 years to come with a 4-cylinder engine. Named as the Volvo B4B, the 1.4 liter, cast-iron OHV L4 engine initially generated 40 hp. This was increased to 43 hp in 1950, then in 1955 it has become 50 hp.
Another engine, the 70 hp B14A, is available in the US in 1956. In the next year, a 1.6 liter Volvo B16 is available, obtaining 85 hp for the most powerful unit.

In 1958, the PV544 was phased in, replaced the PV444.
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 3-speed manual transmission was also supplanted by a 4-speed unit in the 544.

Power was increased, too. In 1961 the B18 engine was installed, giving 95 bhp in it’s most potent form. At the same time, the electrical system received 12V current.

Since 1953, the PV444/544 is also available in wagon form, named the Duett.
The Duett was produced in three body styles: wagon, panel van, and, in small numbers, a bare chassis with no body from the windshield rearward.

Unlike it’s sedan counterpart, the Duett used a ladder frame with leaf springs supporting the rear. It gave criticism but Volvo insisted that the design is one-of-a-kind.
The PV444 Duett was replaced by the P210 Duett, which was based on the PV544.
Other variations based from the PV444 are available, including a convertible (the PV445 Valbo).

The Volvo PV444/544 raced too. In 1950, the team of Hilding Ohlsson, Martin Carstedt, and Stig Cederholm finished 12th at the Monte Carlo Rally. A second-hand PV544 won the Safari Rally in 1965.
The PV also competed successfully in the American SCCA class.

The PV444/544s replacement, Volvo Amazon (yes, the world’s first car to have a 3-point seatbelt as standard), is actually launched in 1955. Yet the PV still produced, until 1966 when both were replaced by the more modern Volvo 140.

The Volvo PV444 was the first significant post-war Volvo car and helped to establish Volvo as a major automotive manufacturer. Without it, I can’t imagine Volvo would be like now.
Alright, thanks for watching and see ya!