Volvo
PV544

ABOUT THIS CAR

“Above all the Volvo PV544 is a practical car. Volvo’s most attractive appeal lies in its solidity and its quality in every single respect.”

THE MODEL

Launched in the summer of 1958 as a successor to the immensely popular PV444, the Volvo PV544 was a five-seater (hence the ‘5’ in the name) family saloon powered by the same ‘B’ series of 4-cylinder engines that would propel nearly every Volvo from 1944 – 1981.

It featured an all new single-piece curved windscreen, larger tail lights, a distinctive ‘ribbon-type’ speedometer, and an upgraded 4-speed manual gearbox.

The PV544 was initially powered by Volvo’s famously reliable 1.6L (B16) 4-cylinder power unit, producing somewhere between 65bhp-85bhp (depending on the chosen carburetor set-up).

However, 1962 saw the introduction of the new B18 (1.8L) unit, bumping the PV544’s power output to 75bhp-115bhp – again, depending on carburetor configuration.

Interestingly, the world’s highest mileage car – a 1966 Volvo P1800S – which managed to cover over 3,000,000 miles (yes, 3 million!) on it’s original engine, was powered by the B18.

All things considered, the PV544, and the PV444 from which it spawned, were quality, well engineered, and practical family saloons, and so it comes as no surprise to learn that Volvo managed to sell almost half a million of them between 1947-1965.

COMPETITION SUCCESS

Despite its modest appearance, simple design and conservative family appeal, the PV544 (and PV444) turned out to be a formidable force on the world race & rally stage: