{{Infobox automobile | image = Volvo PV54 3670cc 1939 static.jpg | name = Volvo PV51-PV56 | manufacturer = Volvo Cars | production = 1936–1945 | assembly = Sweden: Lundby, Gothenburg | predecessor = Volvo PV 36<br />Volvo PV650 Series | successor = Volvo PV 60 | class = saloon | body_style = 4-door saloon | layout = FR layout | engine = {{convert|3670|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} ''EC'' I6 | transmission = 3-speed manual with optional overdrive | wheelbase = {{convert|2880|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|1540|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} | caption = 1939 Volvo PV54 }}
The '''Volvo PV51''' is a car introduced by Volvo in December 1936. It was replaced by the mildly restyled '''PV53''' in 1938.<ref name=Motor197711>{{cite magazine| authorlink = Roger Bell (Ed)| title = Volvo: The Swedish Individualist|magazine=Motor| volume = 152 |issue=3919| pages =34–39 |date = 26 November 1977}}</ref> This car remained in production until the end of the Second World War.
== PV51-52 == The Volvo cars were quite expensive compared to their imported competitors. The PV51 was the answer to a request from Volvo’s dealers to offer a smaller and less expensive model. The rear end of the body was similar to the Carioca, but the front was new and the interior was simplified, to cut the price. The PV51 had to make do with a live front axle.
In early 1937 the de luxe model '''PV52''' was introduced. The equipment list included twin sun visors, twin windscreen wipers, a watch, a heater and armrests on all four doors.
In March 1938 the '''PV51 Special''' and the '''PV52 Special''' were introduced. On these cars the spare wheel was moved from the bootlid to the boot floor. The cars had an expanded boot to increase the luggage space.
=== Versions === * '''PV51''': 1936–1938, 1754 cars built, base model * '''PV52''': 1937–1938, 1046 cars built, de luxe model * '''PV51 ch''': 1936–1938, 205 cars built, commercial chassis
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== PV53-56 == In the autumn of 1938 the PV51-52 was replaced by the '''PV53-56'''. These cars had a new front end with a wedge-shaped grille, modified suspension and steering, uprated interior and dashboard. The types 53 and 55 received a cover with a spare wheel pressing rather than the full boot and floor mounted spare of the PV54 and 56 (and PV51/52 Special).<ref name=VolvoPR23>{{cite press release | url = https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/download/49782/pdf/pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231204184311/https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/download/49782/pdf/pdf | archive-date = 2023-12-04 | title = Volvo PV51‐7 (1936‐1945) | date = 2013-07-26 | publisher = Volvo Car Corporation | id = 49782 }}</ref>
After the outbreak of the Second World War production continued, mainly to provide transportation to the Swedish Armed Forces and for other official functions. Most of these war time cars had a wood gas generator mounted on a trailer behind the car, since the engine had been converted to run on this domestically sourced fuel. Thus equipped, power output dropped to around {{cvt|50|PS|kW|0}}.<ref name=VolvoPR23/>
=== Versions === * '''PV53''': 1938–1945, 1204 cars built, base model * '''PV54''': 1938–1945, 814 cars built, base model with larger boot * '''PV55''': 1938–1945, 286 cars built, de luxe model * '''PV56''': 1938–1945, 1321 cars built, de luxe model with larger boot * '''PV57''': 1938–1945, 275 cars built, commercial chassis
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== Gallery == <gallery widths=200 heights=148> File:Black 1937 Volvo PV 51 in Lysekil (cropped).jpg|1937 Volvo PV51 File:Volvo PV51 Cabriolet 1937.jpg|1937 Volvo PV51 Cabriolet File:Volvo PV51 TV Pickup 1938.jpg|1938 Volvo PV51 TV Pickup File:Volvo PV52 dash.jpg|Volvo PV52 interior File:Volvo PV54 3670cc 1939 moving.jpg|1939 Volvo PV54 File:Volvo PV56 Sedan 1939 3.jpg|1939 Volvo PV56 </gallery> {{Commons category|Volvo PV5X|Volvo PV51}}
== References== *''Volvo Personvagnar-från 20-tal till 80-tal'' by Björn-Eric Lindh, 1984. {{ISBN|91-86442-06-6}} {{in lang|sv}} *http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z6292/Volvo_PV%2052/default.aspx
=== Notes === {{Reflist}}
== External links == *[https://web.archive.org/web/20091121182908/http://www.volvocars.com/intl/top/community/heritage/Pages/default.aspx Volvo Cars Heritage.] *[http://www.volvo.com/group/global/en-gb/Volvo+Group/history/museums/volvomuseum.htm Volvo Museum.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012062107/http://www.volvo.com/group/global/en-gb/volvo+group/history/museums/volvomuseum.htm |date=2008-10-12 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080807173344/http://www.storvolvoklubben.net/index.php Storvolvoklubben] {{in lang|sv}}
{{Early Volvo Cars timeline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Volvo Pv51}} PV51 Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Category:Cars introduced in 1936 Category:1930s cars Category:1940s cars Category:Cars discontinued in 1945