75 Years of Volvo PV60

When Volvo rented the Royal Tennis Halls in Stockholm in September 1944 to present two new model series, it was assumed that they would be launched to the market immediately. However, this was prevented by the late phase of the Second World War. Although this didn’t affect Sweden so much due to bombin, it did have the effect of a shortage of materials. It therefore took until 1947 before production of the PV444 (“humpback Volvo”) got underway. The first examples of the larger PV60 rolled off the production line a year earlier. This model series followed on from the pre-war models PV51 to PV56. Under the hood was a 3.67-liter inline six-cylinder engine with side-valves from the previous model. However, Volvo’s engineers had increased the power output from 63 kW/86 hp to 66 kW/90 hp.

Classic design with high reliability

In terms of design, the Swedish brand took its cue from American pre-war sedans. However, American vehicles had evolved significantly during the war years, while Volvo stuck to the pre-war standards with offset fenders and mounted headlights. Within Sweden, the PV60 nevertheless enjoyed decent popularity. Thanks to affordable prices, good comfort and the reliability typical of the brand, it was considered an excellent offer. In addition, it could also be purchased as a bare chassis for externally produced special bodies. In this case, the model designation PV61 was written in the papers. Next to vans and pick-ups, Nordbergs Vagnfabrik also built a number of convertibles and hardtop-coupés on this basis.

King Carl XVI Gustaf drives a PV60

In 1946, when production of the Volvo PV60 finally started, the present Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf was also born. For his 50th birthday, Volvo presented him with a freshly restored PV60 from the year of his birth. Since then, the King and his family have used it for trips, for example to the annual King Rally on the island of Öland. A total of exactly 3,006 PV60s and 500 PV61 chassis were built between 1946 and 1950. It isn’t known how many of these still exist today. There was no direct successor model. It wasn’t until 1968 that Volvo again offered a six-cylinder sedan in the form of the 164.

Images: Volvo