Volvo PV 444

Because of Sweden's neutrality during the Second World War, the PV 444 is presented already in 1944. A successful car looks like this. It is the international breakthrough for Volvo, and is later enforced by the 544. After constructional wrong ways during the war, this car is again adjusted to the general trend of the times.

Of course, there are even more style and technology from the USA, as in any case usual at Volvo. This is the time popular all over Europe, not only in Sweden, which has special connections to it, and hopes to make sales in America, but just since 1955 gets off the ground. Small American with solid technique and a better suspension, so the PV 444 is assessed.

The body seems to have taken borrowings at several American models. But also the technology is supported by suppliers from there. With regard to the engine technology, after decades of side controlled four and six cylinders, will be break new ground. Meanwhile, four cylinders are also able to power such sedans appropriate. Therefore, there is the four-cylinder engine with overhead valves and at the beginning 40 SAE hp. It is solidly constructed and has room for several extensions. Later, it even becomes a sport engine, but with five-bearing crankshaft.

The introduction of the PV 444 differs from the for the earlier models. At the presentation in Stockholm is mentioned the same price as 1927 for the ÖV 4, what causes a veritable sales boom. But the PV 44 will be delivered just from 1947, because in the immediate postwar period is not enough steel available. In addition, there is a prolonged strike in the metal industry. Relatively late just contacts with American steel plants can solve the problems passably. So the first contracts were worth for the customers, because at that time that covers only slightly more than half of the manufacturing costs.

If you look at the car more closely, it can obviously satisfy particularly the need for protection of people at that time. It's more a bastion with the box-like mudguards and the roof looking very stable. For the appearance, the weight keeps within limits, one would estimate higher. Slowly develops the quality image of the company further in the direction of safety. This will be continuously maintained in the further future and beginsat the market introduction with the laminated glass windscreen, whose crumbs no longer are pushed one into the face during a crash. Dubious however, that the seat belt is not as standard before 1959. However, the attachments are already present from the beginning. 04/07