Rare Car Archive

Makes › Volvo Sweden › ÖV4 · Rare production · 1927–1929 Very Rare

Volvo
ÖV4

Volvo's first production car ('Jakob'), mostly open tourers

Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

Volvo ÖV4 (Wikimedia Commons: Volvo ÖV4)
Volvo ÖV4 (Wikimedia Commons: Volvo ÖV4)
Photo: Herranderssvensson · CC0 1.0
275BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
275 Built
Years
1927–1929
Engine
In-line four-cylinder, side valves · 1,940 cc / 1.9 LFactory: 1,940 cc
Power
20.9 kW / 28.4 PSFactory: 28 hp · converted
Top speed
88.5 km/hFactory: 55 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The OV4 was the first series-produced Volvo, an open four-cylinder car that left the Lundby factory on 14 April 1927.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityVery Rare 275 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionproduced, of which 205 delivered with open tourer body 2751,2 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The body was built on an ash and beech frame covered with sheet metal and was offered in only one colour combination, dark blue with black wings. The car was nicknamed 'Jakob'.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard ÖV4.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutIn-line four-cylinder, side valves1 Independently researched
Displacement 1,940 cc / 1.9 LFactory: 1,940 cc1 Independently researched
Bore 75 mmFactory: 75 mm1 Independently researched
Stroke 110 mmFactory: 110 mm1 Independently researched
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 20.9 kW / 28.4 PSFactory: 28 hp · converted1 Independently researchedSource states bhp.
Power at 2,000 rpm1 Independently researched
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox3-speed manual, direct-action floor lever1 Independently researched
GearsNot yet verified
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesMechanical on rear wheels (four-wheel brakes optional from 1928)1 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,840 mmFactory: 112 in · converted1 Independently researched
LengthNot yet verified
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,170 kgFactory: 2,580 lb · converted1 Independently researched
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 88.5 km/hFactory: 55 mph · converted1 Independently researched
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot 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. 1
    Volvo OV4 Level B Volvo Owners' Club (UK)
    • Prod. volume: 275
    • In-line 4 cylinder with side valves, 1,940 cc (118 cu in) 75x110 mm; 28 bhp (Technical facts)
    • 3 speed with direct action floor lever (Technical facts)
    • Mechanical on rear wheels (optional four wheel brakes from 1928) (Technical facts)
    • Wheelbase 112 in; weight 2580 lb (Technical facts)
    • top speed 55 mph (Technical facts)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    VOLVO ÖV4 (1927-1929) – Volvo Cars Global Level A
    • 275 produced, of which 205 delivered with open tourer body
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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