Eclectic Cars

• our vehicles
• Lancia Delta Integrale 16v
• 3.2 Cabriolet Supersport
• Triumph GT6 Convertible
• TVR Vixen
• TVR V8 S
• BMW 2002tii
• Jaguar XJS Convertible
• BMW E30 M3 Convertible
• Fiat 850 Spider
• Triumph TR6
• Morris Mini Mk1
• Fiat X1/9 Bertone
• Jaguar XJC Coupe
• Renault Alpine GTA
• BMW Isetta 300
• Land Rover Series III
• Citroen D Super
• Porsche 356B T5
• Porsche 968 Clubsport
• Ariel Atom 2
• Sold to Richard
• Sold to John
• Sold to Barry
• Sold to Ruth

Standard Equipment

Beige paintwork with Beige cloth and vinyl interior.

Additional Equipment

A fantastic sliding sunroof and front seat belts.

Model history

The Volvo PV series are two door, four passenger vehicles built between 1947 to 1965. During World War II's early stages, Volvo decided that a new smaller car delivering good fuel economy would assure the company's future so the first PV was the 444 with a 1.4 litre single carb engine. A raw materials shortage, during the war drove home the point that an automobile should be smaller but ,also complicated Volvo's ability to mass-produce their products. 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 before the production was made available.

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 3-speed manual transmission was also supplanted by a 4-speed unit in the 544. 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 and again single and twin carburettor versions were offered, designated B18A and B18D, respectively. Also in 1962, Volvo changed from 6- to 12-volt electrical systems.

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advertisements in late 1965 and early 1966 imploring PV owners not to be angry with the company when the model was superseded by the Amazon.

Exterior

This PV544 has lived in Holland its whole life and was subject to a major restoration there some 10 years ago. The work, which is photographically documented in the history file was extensive. The whole car was stripped and with the drive train removed all the bad metal was cut out and replaced with nice new panels. Once this work was completed the car was prepared for paint and finished in its original Volvo Beige. During the years that have passed, the PV544 has obviously been dry stored when not in use as she required just the smallest amount of cosmetic paint (and a jolly good mop and polish) to get the paintwork into the condition that you see in the photographs. The chassis, inner wings and structural points underneath are all in good condition and the car has bee heavily protected with clear Waxoil.

Wheels Tyres and Brakes

She is still sporting an original set of Volvo pressed steel wheels which, since the photos ,have been refinished in bright silver. The chrome hubcaps are all in good condition. The tyres are a matching set of nearly brand new Firestones. They are all in good condition and are not suffering from bulges or cracking across the sidewall.

The dynamic ability of this car has really surprised us. The brakes work very well and put similar period British cars to shame. Press firmly on the middle pedal and this Volvo pulls up sharply giving you massive confidence in its stopping ability, but then nobody wants to hit a moose! During our preparation, the brakes were taken apart cleaned up and friction parts replaced.

Engine and Transmission

The 1800cc 4-cylinder engine in the later PV’s is very smooth as it benefits from a 5-baring crank. Quite how this helps is a little bit of a mystery to those of us (like me) who don’t have an engineering degree, but I am prepared to believe that it works as I can’t think of a period four-pot that is as smooth as the one in our PV. The engine is the same unit that is fitted to the P1800 and was available in two stages of tune, with either a single carburettor or a twin carburettor set up. This unit was rebuilt and painted during the cars restoration, and with a thorough eclectic service and tune up works very well, starting from cold with ease and settling down to an even idle as it warms through. These units are famed for their reliability and should provide few worries in the future.

These engines literally go on forever!! If you fancy trying to beat the current world record for miles covered which currently stands at 2..8 million miles please read this link http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-07/29/the-two-point-eight-million-mile-man

Interior and Equipment

The PV 544 has a strange mixture of comfort and utilitarian function. There are no carpets, just a formed grey rubber mat that covers the floor of the car and all the interior fixtures such as the dash are body coloured and basic. Having said that the feel of the switchgear, comfort of the supportive seat and space for the passengers put far more luxurious cars to shame. With the metal panoramic sunroof wound back the inside of the PV is a really enjoyable place for driver and passengers alike. We have been through the electrics and found little to fix, bar the fuel gauge, which, as usual, caught me out on the way home leaving me with a mile walk to the petrol station and yet another 5-litre jerry can!

Road Test

We bought the PV in her home country of Holland, pulling her out of a huge tulip green house where she had resided for some time. In true Volvo style, with a change of battery, clean up of plugs and points and a bit of fuel in the carb she burst into life and quite happily drove us back to Weston on the Green! Apart from the tracking being out and a binding front brake we had a trouble free and happy drive home. With these small issues cured, a thorough service and tune up, she has joined a small number of period saloons that have wormed their way into our hearts. The PV is spritely around town and  able to cruise very happily at well over the legal speed limit making it a great car to use for long trips, laden with children and picnics.

History File

The Volvo has now been MOT'd, inspected by the DVLA and issued a UK number plate and log book.  Since coming into stock she has has a major service and check over of the electric systems.  Everything is now working and she drives really well.  We have copies of the original Dutch registration documentation and photographs of the original restoration.