The Volvo PV60 is a large luxury car produced by Volvo from 1958 to 1966. It was the first Volvo model to be designed with a more spacious interior and improved ride comfort in mind.
Design
The PV60 has a more angular design compared to its predecessor, the PV544. The new design featured a larger body, a longer wheelbase, and a higher roofline. The car's dimensions were 175.5 inches (446 cm) long, 66.4 inches (168.7 cm) wide, and 62.2 inches (158 cm) high.
Interior
The interior of the PV60 was designed with comfort and luxury in mind. It featured a larger cabin space than its predecessor, with more legroom for passengers. The car's dashboard was redesigned to be more modern and feature-rich, with gauges and switches easily accessible by the driver. The rear seats were also more spacious, making it suitable for families or groups of people.
Engine and Performance
The PV60 was powered by a 2.0-liter inline-six engine that produced 90 horsepower (67 kW) at 4,000 rpm. The engine was mated to a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, which provided smooth acceleration and good fuel economy. The car's top speed was around 80 mph (129 km/h), making it suitable for long-distance driving.
Safety Features
The PV60 was designed with safety in mind, featuring a sturdy unibody construction and a robust engine mount system that reduced vibrations and noise. The car also featured a modern braking system with power-assisted drums at the front and rear, providing good stopping power even on wet or slippery roads.
Variants
Over its production run, the PV60 was produced in several variants, including:
- 1958-1960: B-series (2-door sedan)
- 1959-1960: P130 series (4-door sedan)
- 1961-1963: P131 series (4-door sedan with improved engine and transmission)
- 1963-1966: P132 series (4-door sedan with further improvements to the engine, transmission, and brakes)
Production
The Volvo PV60 was produced from 1958 to 1966, with a total of around 52,000 units manufactured during that time. The car's production was discontinued in 1966 due to low sales figures.
Overall, the Volvo PV60 is considered one of the most comfortable and luxurious cars of its era, with a spacious interior and a robust engine making it suitable for long-distance driving. Its design, although not as sleek or modern as some of its competitors, still holds up today as a testament to Volvo's focus on building safe and durable vehicles.
