If you grew up with Volvos, you’ll remember their aversion to curves in the bodywork, especially those cars from 1970 through the early 2000s. The straight lines and square corners earned them both the “Brick” nickname and a loyal fan base. But the bricks had ancestors, and they were pleasantly rounded. his fine old 1963 Volvo P120 Duett is for sale here on Hemmings Motor News in Newtown, Connecticut for $4,999.
The seller states that this car is part of an estate and that it comes complete with the original 1.8 liter B18A engine and four speed gearbox. It is not stated whether the engine runs or turns over at all. These are simple cars mechanically and spare parts shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.
The interior and exterior trim pieces are all present and accounted for as well. They state that there are, “some rusted areas” on the body, but that the chassis is solid.
Yes, unlike the unibody PV-series cars that the Duett is based on, the wagon has a separate ladder frame chassis. Volvo envisioned the Duett being used to haul light freight goods as well as passengers giving it a dual purpose.
I could see this old load hauler being given reliable mechanicals, preserving the exterior look and maybe using it for a business vehicle. How about you?
These have always checked most of the boxes for me.
I was under the impression the second series were unibody rather than body on frame… (?)
Sweet looking Volvo Duett. I’ve heard of the Duett, but I’d never seen one in person.
Can’t see much of the lower 6 inches of the body.
I’d be willing to bet she’d be easy to get running it the engine’s free. It’s not unheard of for Volvos of this era to awaken easily after 2 or 3 decades of slumber.
One of my bucket list cars. Had a friend with one. He also had a G80 Matcheless. I wanted one after I saw him loosen the handlebars and roll them down on the Matchless. Then push it right up into the back of the Duett and close the doors.
They rust real bad in the cubby for the spare tire. Slow and more truck like than other Volvos.
All that said, they are a blast to ride in and look great.
“Reliable mechanicals”? There does not exist any more reliable than this !!
The PV 444/544 sedan is a unibody, while the Duett has a frame. (all models) They also came as a chassis for coachbuilders. Convertible as well as pickup versions from independent coachbuilders exist, but are quite rare. Valbo built the most common convertible.
I like it! My buddy way far in the ancient past had one of these! We spent many weekends working on it! Didn’t make a difference if it was broken or not! LOL, those were the good old-days! Many great memories!
My father bought one of these, in blue & gray, brand new from the local imported car dealer in Bethesda, MD. I think it was a 1959, but might have been a 1960. It was still a 2-piece windshield.
That little Volvo was a VERY reliable vehicle, it made a great second car for our family, but it did have one drawback that the dealer was never able to solve; the rear double doors would pop open when pushed hard from the inside.
Dad had a big scare one time when I was 11 years old; he took a carload of my friends out for Pizza one afternoon, and on pulling out into traffic, one friend leaned against the back doors & they popped open. He landed on his butt, and another car, driven by a firefighter, swerved his car into the oncoming lane to protect him. The oncoming car stopped in time, no damages to vehicles or body.
My dad quickly traded the car in on a new 1963 Peugeot 403 “Familial”, with 3 rows of seats [the center row seats were folding jump seats]. 5 years later he sold the Peugeot and bought a new white Porsche 912 with a 5-speed. He wanted a 911, but the local Porsche dealer was not able to get one. Dad said the 911 cars were pre-sold before leaving the factory, & it would have been a 6 month wait for one.
Dad sold the Peugeot to a missionary family who took it all over central & south America, then to Africa before coming home. last I saw it, that little 403 had been driven over 250,000 miles, and was still going strong. They bought the Peugeot because they could get spare parts anywhere in the world.
more truck like than station wagon (USA panels of the 50s).
I think the hood folds forward.
Just wish better/more pic (nuttin on sale site either).
$2 – 4K?
Like Arve comments, these cars are amazingly simple and there is nothing cannot be fixed with minimal tool selection and limited skill. Simply great in every way its looked at.
The B18 cars were probably the most durable cars built in the 60’s, and more durable than most built before the late 90’s – early 2000’s.