Cool but perplexing sighting?

[Bret]

Hey Guys,

I had a weird sighting the other day on the freeway. As I approached it from a far it kind of looked like an old Citron 2CV. But as I got closer it looked more & more like an old Chrysler airflow only a little more modern & refined than the airflow. As came up on it from the rear – I read “Volvo” across the back end. First thought was an old PV444, but the front end just didn’t look right. Confused – I tried to look for any other markings, but it'd pulled off the freeway before I could get a real good look.

Anyway I did some web browsing and the closest thing I could find was a PV36 Carioca from 1936. Front end looks kind of the same, but I’m not sure that’s it because the roof lines trail off like & had a rear similar to the 2CV.

Any ideas, cause I’m stumped? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[aeronca65t]

I had a 122S years ago, and got interested in old Volvos as a consequence.

You probably saw an older PV.
These car were built in the late 30s and look sort of like an Airflow
Here's some pics

PV36

PV56

 

[DART]

Nial, you constantly amaze me with the great pics you come up with at the drop of a question. KEEP IT UP, PLEASE!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[sammyb]

The PVs are fairly rare sightings these days. Not necessarily desirable, but huge restoration costs. Parts are nearly extint. I do think they are better looking and a more elegant take on the Airflow-esque design.

 

[Bret]

I'm still not 100% sure it was a PV36. From the front it sure looks like the picture above. But as I said the rear end was more sloped like a Citron and I don't recall seeing the spare tire bulge (or whatever you call it) sticking out the back like that.

I do find it kind of humorous that the car company so renowned for their shoeboxes actually made something with organic & flowing lines.

 

[davelgee]

Well, there is always the P 1800 S/E/ES.

 

[sammyb]

Nobody would ever confuse a P1800 with an Airflow /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I'm not sure anyone would confuse a P1800 with anything else, as it's a pretty unique looking vehicle. I suppose the P1800ES could be confused with a Reliant Scimitar.

 

[Bret]

Sure the P1800 is hardly a “shoebox” and is actually kind of cute in its own way, but I believe the last year of production 73 for that model. My point was that when someone mentions “Volvo” these days their iconic brick-like body styling is what normally comes to mind. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Nunyas]

kinda hard to undo nearly 30 years of brick styling... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

P1800s are certianly cool looking cars. I've see a couple rolling around my area every once in a while.

 

[sammyb]

I'm actually amazed at the number of P1800s running around the Olympia, WA area. I've counted somewhere along the lines of 15 different P1800s around here. (We're an area of about 120,000 people.)

I've always thought they were absolutely beautiful cars. I'm not much for the estates, but the coupes are just so unique and classy. Sadly they are a wee bit slow and soft -- which is also how my brother's C70 convertible is!

 

[davelgee]

Here is a story that may shed some light on the numbers of 1800 series cars still 'in circulation'

https://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=14&article_id=3643 [/url] Road & Track article

I am restoring a '68 122 Kombi (estate) that unfortunately I can't document milage on, but I do know that it had 173K clocked...in 1971!
And Yes, after the 122 and 1800 series they became bricks indeed.

Cheers!
Dave G.

 

[Sherlock]

Hey! I like the brick look, even if no one else seems to... I think my favourite classic Volvo is the 140-Series, I've always craved after a 145 Station Wagon, I even believe there was a 145S Wagon (high compression...)