Quantcast
Channel: New and Used Car Reviews, Comparisons and News | Driving
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 21675

Weird and wonderful cars from the Volvo museum in Sweden

$
0
0

GOTHEMBURG, SWEDEN — Wandering the halls of Volvo’s museum, which opened in 1995, reveals a great deal about a company known more for safety than design. Volvo got its first building in 1927. The five-storey block came from SKF, the bearing manufacturer that owned Volvo at the time. The company’s name also comes from SKF — it was producing a ball-bearing called Volvo, which is Latin for “I roll.” Volvo picked up on the name and the rest is history.

The company purchased Penta engines in 1935 and, in 1950, Volvo acquired a tractor company (now called Volvo Construction Equipment). Later, in the 1970s, it purchased Dutch automaker DAF. Volvo also owns Renault Truck, Mack Truck and Nissan Diesel (now known as UD Trucks).

The Volvo P1800 Prototype, Volvo’s second sports car, was the inspiration for the production version. It quickly rose to fame as the Saint’s favourite ride. The popular series starred Roger Moore as Simon Templar. In a welcome move for Volvo, the producers purchased every one of the cars Moore managed to destroy (and, according to the museum guide, he wrote off a lot of cars!). In 1969, the road-going P1800 produced 130 horsepower thanks to its fuel-injected engine.

The Volvo P1800 Prototype, Volvo’s second sports car, was the inspiration for the production version. It quickly rose to fame as the Saint’s favourite ride. The popular series starred Roger Moore as Simon Templar. In a welcome move for Volvo, the producers purchased every one of the cars Moore managed to destroy (and, according to the museum guide, he wrote off a lot of cars!). In 1969, the road-going P1800 produced 130 horsepower thanks to its fuel-injected engine.
Graeme Fletcher, Driving

Volvo invented many automotive firsts. Two that stand out are the introduction of the three-point seat belt (1950) and the three-way catalytic converter (1976). Both are now staples of every production car. Another standout was the first turbocharged engine equipped with an intercooler — it was developed for its truck division. In a fitting touch, Volvo’s first engine was a 28 horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder. The company has come full circle with the introduction of it new range of 2.0L Drive-E engines.

The oddest Volvo story has to do with the company’s cofounders — Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson. As there was only one telephone at Volvo in 1927, the two were forced to share not only an office, but the desk it contained. This lead to a problem — how did they contact an employee? The solution was simple. The two used the butt-end of a broom handle to hammer out employee codes on the office floor. Upon hearing his or her code emanating from on high, the employee jumped to it smartly.

Flip through the gallery above to see some highlights of the museum.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 21675

Trending Articles