Makes › Volvo › PV36 Carioca · Rare production · 1935–1938 Very Rare
Volvo
PV36 Carioca
Streamlined luxury saloon; one bare chassis bodied as a convertible by Nordbergs
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden · CC BY-SA 3.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 500 Built
- Years
- 1935–1938
- Engine
- In-line six-cylinder, side valves · 3,670 cc / 3.7 LFactory: 3,670 cc
- Power
- 59.7 kW / 81.1 PSFactory: 80 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 120 km/hFactory: 120 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 25 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The PV36 'Carioca' was Volvo's 1930s streamlined six-seat saloon, a silent, smooth and expensive car that was slightly controversial in its day.
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 PV36 Carioca (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden · CC BY-SA 3.0
Volvo PV36 Carioca (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: andreboeni · CC BY 2.0
Volvo PV36 Carioca (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: andreboeni · CC BY 2.0
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionprobably only about 25 PV 36 left worldwide (Secret Classics) | 252 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model productionCarioca saloons built and sold (Volvo lists "500 + one chassis"; one further bare chassis was delivered and later bodied as a convertible) | 5001 | 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
Volvo introduced the PV36 in 1935 to follow the streamlined fashion of the decade. It had independent front suspension with wishbones and coil springs and a very sturdy all-steel body with rear wheel spats, which proved safe in some serious accidents. Only about 500 Cariocas were built and sold. Volvo planned exactly 500 cars and one extra chassis was bodied as a cabriolet, which explains the figure of 501; the last PV36 left the line on 16 June 1938. The price was 8,500 SEK.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard PV36 Carioca.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | In-line six-cylinder, side valves3 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 3,670 cc / 3.7 LFactory: 3,670 cc3 Independently researched |
| Bore | 84.14 mmFactory: 84.14 mm3 Independently researched |
| Stroke | 110 mmFactory: 110 mm3 Independently researched |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 59.7 kW / 81.1 PSFactory: 80 hp · converted3 Independently researchedSource states bhp. |
| Power at | 3,300 rpm3 Independently researched |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 3-speed manual, floor lever3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Hydraulic on all wheels3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,950 mmFactory: 116 in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,750 kgFactory: 3,860 lb · converted3 Independently researched |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 120 km/hFactory: 120 km/h3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| 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 PV36 "CARIOCA" (1935-1938) – Volvo Cars Global Level A
- 500 Carioca saloons built and sold, plus one chassis
-
2
Volvo PV 36 Carioca Level B Secret Classics
- probably only about 25 PV 36 left worldwide
-
3
Volvo PV36 Carioca Level B Volvo Owners' Club (UK)
- In-line, 6-cylinder, side valves 3,670 cc(224 cu in) 84.14 x 110 mm; 80 bhp at (Technical facts)
- 3-speed with floor lever (Technical facts)
- Hydraulic on all wheels (Technical facts)
- Wheelbase 116 in; weight 3,860 lbs (Technical facts)
- Max speed was 120 kph (Technical facts)
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