In the genus “wagon”, few models are as distinctive as Volvo’s Duett. Looking like a cross between an early Suburban and a 1948 Ford, yet different from each, the Duett was conceived after the introduction of the PV444 sedan. That unibody car sold well, but redesigning it for commercial use proved impossible on a limited development budget. Instead, Volvo created a separate chassis for coachbuilders, calling it the 445. Ambulances, hearses, delivery vans – all manner of utilitarian vehicles were built by outsiders and settled on the new platform. Envious of this success, Volvo bit the bullet, finally styling its own wagon in-house. The Duett was marketed by Volvo as “two cars in one”, catering to buyers who wanted to haul a thing or two along with several passengers. Like many Volvo models, its production run was reasonably long: it launched in 1953 and wasn’t phased out until 1969 when the 145 Express was introduced. Curvette found this Duett for us, advertised here on craigslist for $22,500 – thanks! The new buyer can drive it home from scenic Trout Lake, Washington.
In 1960, the Duett was modernized with new underpinnings, a curved windshield, and an upgraded gearbox; to put some distance between the new and the old, Volvo called this assembly the P210. Shortly thereafter, the B14 engine was replaced by the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder that powered the PV544, and later, with some embellishments, its P1800 sports tourer. The B18A is the single-carb variant good for 75 hp; here, the original Solex has been swapped out for a Weber (urk! – at least the original setup is included with the sale). A four-speed manual drives the rear wheels. The seller notes that this wagon has covered only 59,000 miles from new.
Much attention has been lavished on the Duett’s interior: the upholstery is new, and the rear cargo space has been restored with new wood trim. The headliner is slightly disappointing, with a few stains, marks, and wrinkling. If you can live with that, there isn’t much to complain about in here. I’d polish up those sill plates and replace the floor mats, but that’s about it! By 1967, Volvo had switched from 6V to 12V – a good thing since this wagon is carrying an upgraded stereo system on board.
The seller describes the paint as “vintage” and notes a ding or two. I’ve seen so much worse – this car’s presentation is a breath of fresh air. The vintage luggage rack is in good condition, retaining its original wooden slats, and from what we can see, all that glass looks great too. The wheels might benefit from refinishing, and the seller makes mention of parts included to repair a door handle. Its flaws are forgivable, but only at the right price. A nearly perfect Duett sold recently for just over $20k; that’s the benchmark, and in my mind, it leaves today’s example a bit long on price. What do you think?
There was one of these in Eureka,CA in a garage.
Never saw it on the road,but was told that it ran.I also spotted
one in a wrecking yard years ago.Put the word out about it for
any parts left,but got no response until a year or two later,and
I had to explain that it wasn’t mine,& was more than likely crushed
by that time.
I love this wagon!!! I don’t ever remember seeing one in person ever. Great color combination too. Michelle, you can add this to my Bucket List of cars I want to drive. ( or in this case own). Nice find Curvette, and I enjoyed your write up too Michelle. Thank you.
This is the Holy Grail for old guy Volvo lovers, which I am. I’ve been driving them for almost 60 years now although I never had one of these. A few 544s though and I like the way they drive. A few modifications like dual SUs, changed gearing for rear end, 122 discs, and overdrive would be worthwhile. A trip through the IPD catalog and the other parts providers would put this over the top.
I’ve been driving Volvos (Amazons, 1800s, 140s, 240s and 260s) for 50 years. Every now and then I’d look at a 445 or Duet. I never bought one because I always thought they were overpriced.
And apparently, they still are.
I LOVE older wagons like this. They tend to enhance the sedan models by saying “Look what we did” from the factory. Across the board, the 1951 Ford Panel wagons, Mercedes Estate wagons, the Hillman Husky wagon, the Morris Woodie wagon-=–on and on—all are “Special” and often worth a bit more as a result. All are certainly head-turners. After my 1960 MGA was rear ended in around 1972. I converted it into a one-off sedan delivery with dual rear doors and a hexangular rear window. Painted Saturn Yellow, there was nothing but “Thumbs up” wherever I went. Who knows where or if that car still survives? I built many 444 and 544’s as well. All great cars.
I’ve never seen one of these until now. What a great run around car that draws the eye in a positive way.
As a lifelong Volvista myself (three so far), I would add leather interior and a fast road cam to Slomogee’s list of upgrades-this is truly a car for life!
Lovely looking car. I’ve never seen one like this before. I’ve seen Volvo PV544 before, but never with this body style.
I’ve never seen a Volvo Duett. I’ve seen pics of them, and I’ve seen plenty of PV544.
Interesting that they kept making these side by side with the Amazon wagon. It does look like it holds a few more cubic feet (or liters, I guess) than the Amazon.
I’d buy one if it was offered between Tacoma and Bremerton Washington.
I have had a 1966 122S wagon, 142, 144, and 145 later too. I don’t remember one like this though. The mirrors on the fenders instead of the doors might be an indication that it wasn’t sold in the US when new but imported later. Am I correct? That mirror location is more typical of vehicles sold in Britain or rest of Europe.
They were sold new here. Easiest way to tell between US- and home-market is if the instruments are in English or Swedish.
I like this a lot, I also really knew nothing about them and still don’t, but I do know I would like to have i
Most of the “modern” cars of the fifties and sixties that were sold in Southern Rhodesia at that time also had their rear view mirrors positioned on the forward edge of the front fenders. The car in the picture is my British Mk 1 1955 Ford Zephyr Zodiac showing the fender mirrors. Please excuse the rubbish picture as it’a photo I took of the photograph that is in my photograph album and covered with cellophane.
It’s interesting to see how long 50s American influence stayed with Volvo. The styling can best be described as purposeful. Good looking rig that would no doubt provide excellent service.
File this under Dare To Be Different. For years a tired Duett sat behind a rickety house at Broadway and Iris in Boulder, Colorado. Stupidly, although I passed by almost daily, I never stopped to ask about it. Now, the house has been remodeled, and the wagon is gone.
The Craigslist ad:
“Mechanically, it runs strong with a Weber carb conversion for enhanced performance, while the original Solex carbs and manifold are included.”
What exactly were the original carbs?
This car would’ve had SU carbs, probably HS6.
Maybe it’s just me. But I love SU’s. It’s a shame to replace them on MG’s Volvo’s etc
I think part of the price of this car is for custom work that I wouldn’t want.
The photo makes me think the stereo is not portable/removeable for hauling with the rear seat folded down. I’m assuming the “box” behind the rear seat is the stereo.
The rear seat in my Amazon Estate hasn’t been up for sitting in many years.
I personally sold hundreds of the Weber 32/36 DGV5A ( 22680-033B) progressive two BBL carburetors as a California approved replacement carburetor using adaptors and manifolds for nearly every 2- and six-cylinder car on the road. It is an excellent and highly adjustable carburetor. Overall, it was a good replacement for MANY. However, in some cases, the length of the intake manifold was not a synchronous harmonic match for the dynamic balance between intake and exhaust and cross-over pipe. To achieve best performance on some systems (Datsun 510 for sure) raising the carb on an adapter of just over 2″ in added height solved this concern at a sacrifice to hood clearance. Good to save those SU carbs that were balanced properly.
It’s a damned shame that the Volvo Duett was never offered here in the USA. It would’ve made a great addition to the PV544.