Makes › Volvo › C303 (Terrängbil c303) · Rare production · 1974–1980
Volvo
C303 (Terrängbil c303)
Volvo C303 two-axle cross-country military and civilian 4x4 of the C3 series, built from 1974 for the Swedish Army.
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Harald Hansen · Public domain
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- Not yet verified
- Years
- 1974–1980
- Engine
- straight-six · 3,000 cc / 3 LFactory: 3 L
- Power
- 93.2 kW / 127 PSFactory: 125 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Nils Magnus Hartelius
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The C303 was Volvo's cross-country vehicle for the Swedish Army, a broader successor to the Laplander, and the origin of the "Cross Country" name. Two stock C303s took part in the 1983 Paris-Dakar rally, one winning the light-truck class.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Volvo C303 (Terrängbil c303) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Harald Hansen · Public domain
Volvo C303 (Terrängbil c303) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Bene Riobó · CC BY-SA 4.0
Volvo C303 (Terrängbil c303) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Grillo · CC BY-SA 3.0
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
No production figures recorded yet.
History
Development began in 1967 under Nils Magnus Hartelius, creator of the Laplander, after the Swedish Army asked for a new all-terrain vehicle. A single 8x8 prototype was built and dismantled; the two-axle C303 was wider than the Laplander, which tended to tip over. Production began in 1974 with the 3-litre B30 six-cylinder engine and ran to 1980; most survivors are military versions.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard C303 (Terrängbil c303).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Volvo B30 straight-six1 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | straight-six1 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 62 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 3,000 cc / 3 LFactory: 3 L3 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 93.2 kW / 127 PSFactory: 125 hp · converted4 Independently researched |
| Power at | 4,200 rpm2 Independently researchedFrom a dealer page (level D). |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | 42 Independently researchedFrom a dealer page (level D). |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mmFactory: 91 in · converted4 Independently researched |
| Length | 4,340 mmFactory: 171 in · converted4 Independently researched |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Volvo C303: The Original Volvo Cross Country Level C Jan Nystrom · volvoXC.com (reprinted from Rolling Magazine, Volvo Club of America)
- the B30 straight-six, 3-liter engine
-
2
Volvo C303 4x4's for sale (specs) Level D Vince Sweeney · Real 4x4's LLC (dealer page)
- a 6 cyl. Volvo B-30 engine
- HP is 125 at 4200 RPM
- a 4 speed transmission
-
3
Volvo C303: The Original Volvo Cross Country Level C Volvo Club of America (via v70xc.com)
- three-axle C306 had the B30 straight-six, 3-liter engine
-
4
Volvo C303 4x4 Level D Real 4x4 LLC
- HP is 125 at 4200 RPM
- Wheelbase- 91"
- Length- 171"
