Basic information and history

The Volvo PV544 Sport from the 1964 model year belongs to the last generation of PVs with improved roadholding and the robust driveline technology that made the model appreciated by enthusiasts. The Sport version initially meant a lively twin-carburetor engine and upgraded chassis details. This car has since been built up to be a more focused, but still road-legal, package with a clear anchoring in period-correct tuning technology.

This PV544E Sport was manufactured in the fall of 1964 for the US market. The original color was graphite gray and the car had three owners in California. In 2011, the car was purchased by Volvo collector Martin Scholtz from MTI in Long Beach with the ambition of building a reliable and fast car for the Carrera Panamericana. The car received a new B20-based engine with extensive upgrades, larger cooling packages and upgrades to the chassis and brakes. After a test drive, bodywork details were dismantled and the car was painted in the gray color it has today, after which the project was stopped. In 2018, the car was taken to Sweden by the current owner. Completion and registration took place in the spring of 2023. According to the seller, the car is fully roadworthy and street legal in its current design.

The construction is said to have been carried out by Tomas Andreasson in Gothenburg, previously working in Volvo's racing department. In Sweden, two retired Volvo employees have final assembled, adjusted and tested the car. Power is registered at 120 horsepower with a certificate, while the engine, according to the seller, produces up to 150 horsepower.

Origin : Not sold in Sweden from new. Made for the US market, three known owners in California before import in 2018. Odometer reading : 400 kilometers after reconstruction. The odometer was reset in connection with the completion according to the seller. The car is said to have driven just under 100,000 miles in the US before the reconstruction. Chassis number : 419286. Type : PV 544 Sport 11244E.

Equipment and options

• B20 engine with E-cylinder head and larger intake ports, cylinder head height 85.5 mm
• Engine drilled to 0.040 inch oversize
• Balanced connecting rods and crankshaft
• Camshaft profile S, cam gear steel–aluminum
• Special lifters high-performance 85 grams, push bars high-performance 58 grams
• Valves: intake 44 mm, exhaust 35 mm, dual valve springs
• Lightened flywheel, approximately 1 kg
• Dual Weber 45 DCOE, 4–2–1 extractor manifold and 2 inch exhaust system
• Ignition distributor 123 Volvo B20
• Larger water cooler and air-cooled oil cooler mounted behind the grill
• Tachometer, oil pressure gauge and oil temperature gauge, additional temperature sensor in the oil sump
• R-Sport anti-roll bars, 1 inch front and 3/4 inch rear
• Bilstein shock absorbers
• Larger front disc brakes from Amazon GT, rear drum brakes
• American Racing 6 inch rims with bolt pattern for Volvo, tires 205/60 R15
• 4-speed manual transmission, recently refurbished
• Sports seats with rollover belts

According to the seller, the car has been carefully and period-typically refined with a focus on reliability, drivability and high finish. Built with well-known Volvo components by a former mechanic from Volvo's racing operations.

Condition

Body and exterior : The body and paint are said to be very nice and representative. According to the seller, the car has been driven in a dry climate, which has contributed to the good body condition. The body is not modified. The paint was repainted almost ten years ago and there are some small scratches. New rubber strips and bumpers in stainless steel. The oil cooler is discreetly placed inside the grill. The glass is nice and fine and the chrome, strips, headlight lenses and emblems are described as being in very good condition.

Interior : The interior is complete and nice, near new condition according to the seller. New headliner and new carpets. The door panels are original and are considered to be well preserved. The steering wheel, controls and buttons are stated to be in perfect function. Extra gauges for revs, oil pressure and oil temperature are installed.

Tires and rims : 6 inch wide American Racing rims with 205/60 R15. Tires are said to be new.

Mechanics and function : The specified B20 engine with E-head, S-cam and twin Weber 45 DCOE runs very well according to the seller and gives a brisk character. The cooling system is upgraded with a larger water radiator and oil cooler. R-Sport anti-roll bars and Bilstein shock absorbers contribute to stable road holding. The brake system is upgraded with larger discs at the front. The 4-speed gearbox is newly renovated and the transmission is said to be quiet.

Service history

In 2011, the rebuild was initiated in the USA with a new engine, cooling and chassis upgrades followed by test driving and repainting. The project was then paused. The car was purchased in 2018 by the current owner and taken to Sweden for final assembly, adjustments and registration. Registered for road use in spring 2023.

According to the seller, the car is completely new in its current form. In Sweden, the carburetors have been upgraded to dual Weber 45 DCOE, the speedometer has been renovated and the interior has been supplemented with a new headliner and carpets. The meter was reset in connection with the completion and currently shows 400 kilometers. A power certificate for registration of 120 horsepower is included according to the seller. The receipt and documentation state is described as the car is built with known Volvo components and that the engine with peripheral equipment alone cost more than 200,000 SEK.

The build is said to have been carried out by Tomas Andreasson, a former competition mechanic at Volvo's competition department, and finalised in Sweden by two former Volvo employees.

Summary

A PV544E Sport from 1964 that combines contemporary tuning technology with road-legal performance. Documented US history, well-thought-out engine and chassis configuration with B20 E-head, S-cam, dual Weber 45, upgraded cooling, R-Sport anti-roll bars, Bilstein and larger front brakes. Body in good condition, well-kept interior and newly renovated 4-speed gearbox. Registered in Sweden with 120 horsepower and stated engine power of up to 150 horsepower. With its background, its technical performance and its drivable character, this car appears to be an interesting choice for those looking for a well-built PV for street and regularity rally.

All information is provided by the seller.