America is enormous. From my home in Michigan to Chandler, Oklahoma, where Barn Finds reader Tony Primo found this dusty 1957 Volvo on craigslist, is over 1,000 miles. The seller offers little information about its overall condition, aside from the fact that it’s “virtually rust free” and apparently runs. Still, that’s a long drive in a car that’s been sitting, so it’s just another car I’d have to pay to have transported, and I’m a little too chicken (cautious?) to buy a craigslist car sight unseen anyway. If you, however, live in the center of the country and have an affinity for the tough little cars built by our hardy Scandinavian friends in Gothenburg, this PV444 might convince you to call up your local U-Haul to rent a truck and trailer. The asking price is a reasonable $4,000.
Volvo decided to enter the U.S. market in 1955; their first cars were exported to California, but it wasn’t too long before you could buy a new Volvo just about anywhere in the country. The PV444 was replaced by the similar PV544 in 1958, and it lasted through 1965. By then, it was certainly a quaint little relic that looked like a three-quarter scale Ford sedan from the 1940s, but it was still modern underneath its skin. The easiest way to tell the difference between a 444 and a 544? The 444 (such as the one pictured here) has a split windshield, while the 544 does not.
The seller says that the Volvo has a “good original interior,” and indeed it looks as if the mice have been largely kept away (even the headliner is missing the usual smattering of “fuzzy” holes). As a matter of fact, the car itself is described as “unmolested” and “original.” Nothing is said about the state of the drivetrain, but we have to assume that since it runs it may perhaps also move. We also have to assume that there’s an engine under the hood, because there are no pictures of the engine compartment itself. If my materials are correct, the 1957 PV444 has the B16B engine, a 1.6-liter four cylinder with twin SU carburetors producing 85 horsepower and 87 lb.-ft. of torque, all channeled through a three-speed manual and a 4.55:1 axle ratio. The steering had a quick 13.9:1 ratio and three turns lock-to-lock, a revelation compared to the usual fare from the home team.
Aside from a mangled bumper, the seller’s claim that this car is “very presentable” might be right on the mark; since they’re moving, their advice is to “come get it out of the barn.” It’s a little far for me to drive on a whim, but if you’re feeling adventurous this week and like the quirky and humble look of these neat little Volvos, let me know so I can live vicariously through your adventures.
Aw jeez, here come the waterworks,,snif, my 1st real car was a ’58 PV444. The 4CV didn’t count as I never drove it on the road. Did get a lot of “driveway” time, though. While the split windshield is the giveaway, there were several differences from the 544. Tail lights, smaller back window, different dash, 3 speed and 6 volt. I read the B16B with twin carbs came out in ’58, but may have been added later. My brother and I bought the car in ’72 from a junkyard for $50, and all it needed was a coil. Had a lot of fun with that car. I don’t think the back brakes ever worked, as a puller was needed( Jesse can fill in those details) and had a 12volt battery in the back seat to play the Kraco 8 track. Whole lotta love sounded much different by the end of the night as the battery wore down. That bird script on the hood means something, maybe the B16? And I still have the “444” script from the dash found many years later cleaning out the folks house, on my computer light. It may have looked like a 40s Ford, but got Volvos foot in the door in America, and were actually very popular. The guy across the alley with the Honda Scrambler had one. Small car choices were few then, and Volvo made a statement with this car. A wonderful find,,,,snif.
Ah! The ever popular 7/8 scale `47 Ford Super DeLuxe 2dr.!
These are so much bigger in person than they look in photos. Great deal
Lovely looking car. I’ve never seen a Volvo PV444. If only more pictures were posted.
Howard, we have a lot 8n common. Both being from the Midwest. Both first cars being 4CVs that neither of us got to drive on the street. (But I had fireroads to drive on. I rolled mine twice leaning about swing axle rear ends!) And our appreciation for all things mechanical.
These are tough cars and can easily be hopped up. The “red” Volvo block is the same all the way until 1994. Just bolt on the 544/444 pan and oul pump pickup. (And possibly the oil pump itself. ) So by using the newer block (an additional 800CCs) You then play with however you want to. Most just use the larger block and go from there. But some go all the way with the overhead cam and fuel injection. Although it starts to get crowded under tge hood with the intake manifold sticking up at a wierd angle. Great cars with very cool looks and lots of potential.
Hi Wayne, maybe that was a good thing, we never drove the 4CVs on the road. :)
Weird to say, but I think this is priced TOO cheaply. I fear that at this price it may well wind up in the hands of somebody who wants to modify it into a V-8 “street rod” rather than in the hands of a Volvo preservationist.
Looks like a deal here
I always liked these Volvos — specifically because of their 1947-’48 Ford Tudor resemblance: a brand new car that already looked “old” at the time. There was a 1960 Soviet sedan that looked for all this world like a smaller version of a 1953 American car. Whereas 1955 cars were beginning to get “insane” in styling, these Volvos seemed like a return to “normal”: that gives you a clue as to my age! (smiles and grins)
Lovely and inexpensive doable daily driver. I drove my ’64 to home depot this morning . Every part is available.
it’s gone like the wind.