On Friday, April 14th, 2017, Portland Volvo celebrated the 90th anniversary of Volvo with a display of classic Volvo cars in our showroom. The cars on display included a P1800, PV445, 144, 242, 850 T5R, and an S60 R-Design.
Volvo’s P1800 was popularized during the 1960’s by the BBC television show, “The Saint,” staring Roger Moore. The P1800 is a 2-passenger, front-engine, rear-drive sports car, which featured styling by Italian coachbuilder and designer, Pietro Frua, and derived mechanicals from Volvo’s Amazon / 122 series. The car was produced between 1961-1973, and featured two distinct variants, including a 3-door sports wagon option, which debuted in 1972. A 1966 1800S, owned and driven by Irv Gordon, in the United States, has set the Guinness World Record for the highest mileage production vehicle. In 2002, it reached 2 million miles, and currently its approaching the 3-million mile mark.
Also on display was a Volvo Duett PV445 estate wagon, which is the first in a long line of Volvo wagons. The Duett shared its engine and front suspension with the PV444 sedan, however, it made use of a ladder frame design and rear leaf springs instead of the unibody and coil spring rear suspension that was a hallmark of the PV444. Although criticized at the time for being a step backwards from the innovative unibody of the PV444, the ladder frame design allowed coachbuilders to transform the wagon into box trucks, pickup trucks, and other commercial vehicles. The PV210 replaced the PV445 in 1960, with the most visible physical difference being a curved one-piece windshield. The final PV210 rolled off the assembly line in 1969.
The next generation of Volvo cars was also represented, by a 1973 Volvo 144. The 144 series was introduced in 1966, and included both 2 and 4-door sedan models as well as a station wagon variant. The 144 was a first series 4-cylinder, 4-door sedan. The other model designations followed a similar pattern, with the 145 being a 4-cylinder, 5-door estate, for example. The earliest 144 models came with the same B18A engine that was found in the Amazon 121, but the more powerful 2.0l B20 engine variants became the standard. Various styling changes and technical improvements, including Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection, ventilation improvements, and safety updates such as moving the fuel tank closer to the transaxle (in order to protect it from rear end collisions), were incorporated during the production run.
With over 2.8 million units sold worldwide, the Volvo 240 series is one of the most popular Volvo models produced. The 240 set the standard for safety, with numerous innovations, including the use of crumple zones in both the front and rear. The steering was improved with the use of a rack and pinion system, and incremental changes throughout the production run continued the innovation in the areas of safety, performance, and environmental impact. The development of Lamda Sond allowed fine tuning of the air and fuel mixture, producing superior emissions, drivability, and fuel economy. The 240 series was produced for nearly 20 years, between 1974-1993.
The next vehicle on display in our showroom was a 1995 Volvo 850 T5R, which is owned by one of our salesmen, Collin Mack. The 850 was a revolution in design for Volvo, being the first front-wheel-drive Volvo produced for the North American market, and it also became the first all-wheel-drive Volvo. Innovations included a newly developed 5-cylinder transverse engine, Delta-link rear suspension, SIPS Side Impact Protection System, and a self-adjusting seatbelt reel for the front seats.
The 850 T5R, produced for model year 1995, was developed in part with Porsche. The vehicle was based on the 850 Turbo, utilizing the B5234T3 engine with a special Bosch ECU that added an additional 2 psi of turbocharger boost pressure, giving the engine an extra 18hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Also included in the T-5R package was a front bumper with a lip, rear spoiler, side skirts, polished aluminum door sills, special graphite leather and Alcantra seats (developed by Porsche), and a black interior with deep walnut wood grain accents. An 850 R was introduced between 1996-1997, but unlike the T5R, it was not a limited production. The 850 was produced between 1991-1997, and was replaced by the S70 in the model lineup.
The final car on display in our showroom was a Volvo S60 R-Design. Based on the second generation (2000-present) S60, the R-Design variant, which was tuned by Volvo motorsport partner, Polestar, makes 345hp and 369lb-ft of torque. It features a 3.0l inline 6-culinder engine, massaged with Polestar engine management software to produce horsepower and torque. Additional features include 2.5” stainless steel exhaust, new twin-scroll Borg Warner turbochargers, and the AWF21 gearbox with paddle shifters, as well as unique styling features.
Our display of classic Volvo cars (as well as some modern classics), is our way of saying Happy Birthday to Volvo, and to celebrate their rich heritage. To see more Volvo classics, including the “Jakob” which is the very first car Volvo produced, on April 14th, 1927, check out the video below: