We’ve seen a recent influx of Volvos crossing our desks at Barn Finds, and this 1962 PV544 is a real beauty. It runs and drives, is free from visible rust, and features a tastefully retrimmed interior. The buyer could enjoy this classic immediately, tackling its cosmetic needs as time and circumstances allow. The seller has listed the Volvo here on eBay in Roseburg, Oregon. Bidding sits at $676, and with No Reserve to confuse the issue, it could represent an affordable project candidate for the right person.
Volvo introduced the PV544 as an evolution of the PV444 in 1958. The most notable of the subtle changes between the pair was the company’s decision to transition to a one-piece windshield in its latest offering. The 544 remained in production until 1968, with our feature car leaving the factory in 1962. The seller states that they believe it received a repaint in its original shade at some point before their purchase, and that they had planned a restoration that never eventuated. The exterior still shines nicely, and with a lack of panel imperfections, it could serve immediately as a driver-grade classic. They do believe that the floors have been replaced, but this means that the buyer will hand over their cash for a vehicle that is as solid as the day it was born. The freshly powdercoated wheels sport new hubcaps, while the remaining trim and glass are in good order.
Some engines deserve recognition not for the power and torque they produce, but for how robust they are. Volvo’s B-Series range is a perfect example of this, with these motors continuing to serve reliably in domestic motorsport competition decades after production ended. This PV544 features the 1,778cc B18 version that produced 90hp and 105 ft/lbs of torque in 1962. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed manual transmission, with four-wheel 9″ drum brakes bringing proceedings to a safe halt. The seller confirms that while this Volvo doesn’t see much long-distance action, it is driven locally fairly regularly. It sounds like it is a turnkey proposition, although a thorough inspection might be wise before considering any extended journeys.
If this Volvo has a genuine highlight, its interior deserves that honor. It received a retrim a few years ago, and the visual impact of the pale vinyl is hard to criticize. There are a few visible, minor dirty marks, and the painted surfaces would benefit from a refresh. However, the buyer won’t face the expense of sourcing and installing replacement trim. The previous owner installed an AM/FM radio, which works perfectly, but the car currently doesn’t sport a heater. The seller believes that this was removed due to a leaking core, but includes the original items in the selection of additional parts that form part of the deal.
I admit that there was once a time when I didn’t understand the appeal of Volvos. I saw them as staid and conservative vehicles, although they deserved credit for their engineering and build quality. All that changed the day my father decided to forsake his beloved V8 Fords in favor of a 1979 Volvo 242GT. I was initially sceptical, questioning why he would do that. Then I took the GT for a drive. It didn’t feature the sheer power and torque of a V8, but it was still surprisingly lively and sat on the road beautifully. It also proved to be unerringly reliable, and the foundations of those characteristics were laid by cars like this 1962 PV544. It isn’t the most desirable classic on the road in the eyes of many, but the bulletproof drivetrain and its lack of rust mean that it should offer many years of faithful service to its new owner. If the auction action remains sedate, it could also be one of the cheapest driving project candidates that you will find on the market today. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you to pursue it further?
This is a nice one, I swear,, a grand? Do we need any more examples of non-interest? As far as 544s, this was as good as it got. I think that emblem on the hood means something, and I read, the 544 was made until 1965, although some ’66s were sold, more than likely leftover ’65s. I think the 122 came out around that time, and while not a success, it made the 544 obsolete. I suppose I wished for this, something I like, and due to no interest, may have affordable classics once again. It’s an awesome find.
So the 544 was introduced for MY 1958 and stayed in production until late 1965. Formally the last ones were proper 1966 models as they were built after the date allowing them to be registered as 1966 and Volvo did sell them as such. In fact, driving a friend’s -66 544 Sport gave me my one and only win in a classic rally.
The 122 Amazon was released already 1956/57 so had nothing to do with the death of the PV, It was just getting too old, uncompetitive and difficult to keep upgrading for new safety standards.
In fact the 544 and 122 occupied different market segments with the 122 being something like 50% more expensive
I suspect some of the confusion is caused by the continuation of the PV544-related P210 “Duett” until 1969.
I owned and worked on several of the Ford-like appearing 544’s during my college years–primarily to keep my college friends in inexpensive transportation. The specifics of workarounds when original parts became unavailable, I recall were satisfying. For instance. a deteriorated rubber grommet that stabilized the SU carburetor bell-crank type linkage rod I replaced with a drilled-out Zenith Stromberg brass float valve-making a bronze bushing replacement for an otherwise troublesome high-wear component that eliminated a sort of “Bump-Stop-Stalk” type of unwanted acceleration surging. It fits perfectly using a nut as an appropriate retainer. To this day I also remember the common oil-can “clunk” made by the fatigued rear seat sheet metal box used as a failed support for the rear end linkage “as a pumpkin anti-torque” rod on acceleration and deceleration. A bolt-on piece of bed-frame angle iron served to eliminate the slop of oil-can stretched sheet metal. Musings on repairs on a shoestring.
That one sent me scurrying down memory lane like a rabbit pursued by a brace of beagles. More than sixty years ago, during my callow youth, I was the deeply in debt (my father having co-signed the loan) but highly proud owner of a ’62 PV-544. That B-18 engine, while not a sophisticated design, was a marvel of robustness and reliability. It withstood my ignorant abuse without a whimper. The twin SU carbs were a little hard to keep adjusted properly, but that was part of the fun. The transmission shifted as smoothly as any I have ever driven. The only flaw I can think of was that darn “creeping red line” speedometer which ate cables like candy, A simple round dial with a needle would have been much better.
Well what do we have here? Another gem from the Pacific Northwest right on cue. For some reason these P model Volvos always remind me of a 3/4 version of an early forties Ford. This looks like another old car that has been treated with lots of love over the decades. I don’t doubt that some lucky buyer will be getting a nice and unique ride here. GLWTS.
I’ve always loved Volvo cars of this vintage. Assuming parts are still available and it still runs and drives safely, I’d love to drive one.
In 1967, a buddy and I decided to overhaul the engine of his 544. Outdoors, on a picnic table, using his daughter’s swing set to lift it. We disappointed her by bending the crossbar to a V shape, but the engine ran great. Later we actually tried to blow it up, but somehow it survived all of our efforts.
Nice Volvo. Would love to add this to my mini fleet.
16 bids in at $2,325.- with 2+ days left. Me thinks somebody is going to end up with a sweet deal.
It’s up to 2800.
I would love to have it, but it’ll be 3K to ship it here.
I have a 57 444 I need to focus on.
Bought it in 97, need to get it done.
2 main things to look at
Steering drag link.
Drive shaft bushings.
Hardest parts to find.
I had a ’60 544 and it looked like hell, but it ran perfectly well. The weakest part of the car were the bumpers – they were amazingly fragile, which is the opposite of what bumpers should be. You’d think Volvo would have the strongest bumpers of the time – NOPE!
You see that curved bar above the back bumper. Not sure what it was there for – maybe to pull someone behind you on a skateboard – or roller skates at the time it was built, but otherwise if it got bumped – and just about anything that hit it would bend it – it tilted up and made the trunk handle impossible to turn. The bumpers on my 544 were in such bad condition, I just took them off and replaced them with black angle iron bolted to the bumper supports. Looked funky but it also looked like you didn’t want to get hit by them.
The ones on this 544 appear in excellent condition, as does the rest of the car. Obviously, they haven’t hit or been hit by anything in their existence. At the asking price, this one would be a great runabout fun car to have. I sure enjoyed driving mine.
Auction ended with a final bid of $3650. That seems quite reasonable, someone got a decent deal with some room to fix the heater core issue.
Congratulations to the buyer.