Rare Car Archive

Makes › Volvo Sweden › PV4 · Rare production · 1927–1929 Very Rare

Volvo
PV4

First closed Volvo saloon

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

Volvo PV4 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Volvo PV4 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden · CC BY-SA 3.0
694BuiltIndependently 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
694 Built
Years
1927–1929
Engine
In-line four-cylinder, side valves · 1,944 cc / 1.9 LFactory: 1,944 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 PV4 was Volvo's first saloon, introduced in summer 1927 and revised the following year.

How rare is it?

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

Model rarityVery Rare 694 · 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 6941,2 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

Its body followed the Weymann principle, an insulated wooden frame covered in fabric rather than steel. The seats could be converted into a bed for two people.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard PV4.

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 1,944 cc / 1.9 LFactory: 1,944 cc1 Independently researched
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
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 PV4 Level B Volvo Owners' Club (UK)
    • Prod. volume: 694
    • In-line, 4-cylinder with side valves; 1,944 cc (118 cu in) ... 28 bhp at 2,000 (Technical facts)
    • 3-speed with direct-action floor lever (Technical facts)
    • Mechanical, on rear wheels (four wheel brakes optional from 1928) (Technical facts)
    • Wheelbase 112 in; weight 2,580 lbs (Technical facts)
    • top speed 55 mph (Technical facts)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    VOLVO PV4 (1927-1929) – Volvo Cars Global Level A
    • 694 produced
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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