The Volvo PV444 was produced by Volvo from 1947 to 1966. This one is special because it is a vintage race car built by Bill Leonheart and is still actively raced. This car is for sale here on eBay for a Buy It Now price of $15,500 and four days remaining on the auction. The car is located in Vinemont, Alabama.
The spartan interior reflects a solid car that is designed for racing. While not street legal, it would not take much to become legal. The car was restored by Dan Gallant 10 years ago and comes with its racing logs and documentation.
This PV444 is equipped with a dual carb B18 engine, 4 speed, and front disc brakes. The B18 engine is a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder motor that was introduced in 1958 in the PV544. These cars were known for their durability and competed well in SCCA races. If this car is of interest, you should contact the seller. He states that he is ready to make a deal!
Cool old race car. Perfect for vintage events or club races.
I have no idea what anyone would ever consider returning something like this to the street. It makes no sense, cars like this, which have a documented racing history are often what cultivated young peoples interest in these cars to begin with. Removing that link doesn’t serve any valuable purpose.
Steve R
Steve – I would love to see this car at the Historic races at Laguna Seca, near Monterey, and Sonoma Raceway. The suspension on these cars was way ahead of the British sports cars of the time- no leaf springs – the design of the rear suspension is similar to what is used in NASCAR today-
basically a version of a 3 or 4 link with trailing arms, coil springs, and a Panhard bar. Road & Track in their 1957 road test put the weight of the car with gas at 2170 lbs, and the output of the B16 ( 1600cc, 3 main bearings ) was 85 hp @ 5500 rpm
Originally equipped with a 3 speed and 4.56:1 rear gear, they were able to run an average of 93.8 mph for their top speed runs – the fastest run they hit 95.2 mph. A 4 speed became available near the end of the444 run. Fuel economy was 23-29 mpg.
Ha! My 1st car was a 1958 PV444, although, any comparison to this strictly coincidental. If I may make a few corrections, the 444 only ran until 1958 when , I believe the 544 came out mid year. Also, the B18 did not become available until 1962. The front disc brakes too were added. Mine was hardly a race car, but I did my best. Paid $50 bucks for it from a junkyard in 1972,all it needed was a coil. I never thought of this style being any kind of race car, but they actually did quite well. Not a lot of race tracks these days, but it would sure be fun.
Howard.. Actually there are quite a few race tracks around the country including at least three built in the past 20 years. A P1800 came in second in it’s SCCA class at the 2018 runoffs in Sonoma, California. I was fortunate enough to race an E Production 1800ES for a couple of years that took season championships in two classes over a 5 year period. Faster than they look and tough as nails. The 444 needs to be put on the track in Vintage races. Never figured out why this site turns pictures sideways…..
Another Simon Templar reject