Volvo PV444/544
PV444 is a model of a Volvo, for the production of which was decided during World War II in Sweden. The assumption was to be a small, cheap and economical car, on which in May 1943 began the design work. The realization of this project dealt with the engineers Erik Jern and Helmer Pettersson. For the first time it was presented to the public September 1, 1944 in Stockholm. However, due to the ongoing war and the resulting material shortage its production started in 1947. New car quickly became a sensation and gained much popularity.
PV letter designation in the name of the car meant the person vägnar (car), a digital 444 – 4-cylinder, 40hp and 4 persons located in the car. This model is characterized by a number of innovative design solutions. It was the first Volvo with a monocoque body, but about safety issues accounted for laminated windshield, seat belts installed in it for the first time since 1957.
The drive was transferred to the 3-speed gearbox. Initially, the vehicle had no heating, which was a pain in the quite cool, the Swedish climate. Soon, however, this lack supplemented. Wipers did not have electric motors were powered by vacuum from the intake manifold.
Since 1952, changed the wheels with 16 – to 15-inch and expands the color gamut of the car, since they were initially produced as the Model T Ford, almost exclusively in black. A year later, Volvo released the model marked PV445 – a combo called Duett.
Although officially the production of the Volvo PV444 was completed in 1958, this vehicle has been somewhat modernized, still was produced under the designation PV544.
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