1959 White PV544.

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If you ask most people over 40 in the US to imagine a mental picture of a Volvo, most will envision a PV 4/544. These cars were the foundation of the Volvo autos that we see today. I would argue that if the small post-war PV series had never been, Volvo would be a very different company today!

Design began on project "444" during the closing stages of WWII. Neutral Sweden had an advantage over much of war torn Europe in industrial capacity and Volvo saw a need for a small economical car. The 444 was first produced in 1945 and was an immediate hit. initial production was planned for 8000 units, then quickly expanded to 12,000! Delivery trickled at first due to shortages and war damaged infrastructure across Europe but orders were being filled by early 1947.

By the end of sedan production in late 1965 (designated 1966 models) Volvo had produced 440,000 of the 444/544 sedans. An additional 101,492 445/P210 'Duett' wagons were produced for a total of over half a million sedans and wagons. The Duett soldiered on until 1969. Volvo ran an ad in late 1965 and early 1966 imploring PV owners not to be angry with the company for stopping PV production (and pointing out that they still made a few other models).

Only the VW "Beetle" and the English Morgan have had longer production runs. The air cooled Beetle was produced until quite recently (though not in Germany), And you can STILL buy a new Morgan if you like, or even a VW Beetle (a very different car than the original)! With the resurgance of the Beetle and Minis, I sometimes wonder if there is a "new" 544 being discussed somewhere?

Of the half million PV type cars and wagons produced "only" around 115,000 were produced with the B18 engine. Many of the PVs still on the road have been converted to the B18/20 along with its 12V electrical system. This page is primarily for those owners that have retained the B16 engines. I would not argue that the B18/20 does not have a lot going for it, but I will argue that a B16b, properly maintained, is a very good engine and produces power on a par with the B18d used in the later 544s! Period road tests bear this out. in 1958 A B16b-M4 equipped 444 showed a quarter mile time of 19.1 with a speed of 71mph, in '63 A B18d-M40 car showed the same time through the quarter with a terminal speed of 70mph. The B16 car showed a quicker time to 60mph also. (13.0 vs 14.1)

Why the B16s are not still in more cars (especially in view of the 'originality' desired in any restoration) is a question with several answers. Certainly the 6V electrical system is part of this, and expense is also a factor. It is wise for B16 (and B4/14) owners to take very good care of their engines, parts have become quite expensive and difficult to source!

All that being said, I think the B16s suffer from the "Phillip of Macedon" syndrome! When someone mentions Phillip's name, the phrase 'One of the great battlefield commanders of antiquity' (which he was), or the phrase 'Conqueror of Greece' (Which he wasn't-quite) does not leap to most minds! Phillip just happened to be the father of Alexander the Great, and his other accomplishments pale in history. But, keep in mind, no Phillip, no Alexander!

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