This 1957 Volvo PV444 was acquired by the seller 28 years ago out of a field and subsequently modified with the intention of entering the Carrera Panamericana. The 1.8-liter B18 inline-four has been modified with a .060″ overbore along with SU carburetors and an aftermarket head, camshaft, pistons, and connecting rods. The car has a four-speed M41 manual transmission with overdrive as well as Volvo 142 suspension and brakes, a sport exhaust system, a 12-volt electrical system, a roof rack, and driving lights. This PV444 was listed on BaT in July 2019 and is now offered again with a clean Oregon title in the seller’s name.
Introduced in 1943 and produced until 1958, the PV444 was Volvo’s first unibody car. This example was originally finished in black and was repainted red during the seller’s refurbishment. Cibie H4 headlights are fitted along with Wipac fog lights and spotlights, and the reverse light works using a dash switch. The trunk sill and passenger compartment floors were both replaced due to corrosion, and the seller notes that the repairs used a mix of correct and generic metal panels. Additional corrosion is present on the hood, the driver-side door, around the rear glass, under the rockers, and on the door sill plates. The glass is pitted and scratched, and the paint has chips, scratches and stains.
The front and rear disc brakes, suspension, steering, 15″ steel wheels, and front crossmember were sourced from a Volvo 142. Nokian Entyre 185/65 tires with 2019 date codes are fitted. Additional modifications include a dual brake master cylinder with a front/rear bias valve as well as 450 lb/in front springs, Lesjofors rear springs, Bilstein shocks, an IPD front sway bar, stainless-steel brake lines, and urethane bushings throughout. The seller reports the car is not equipped with a parking brake. A set of six-spoke Naiad wheels is included in the sale.
The cabin features red and white upholstery on the seats and door panels as well as a heater and salt-and-pepper carpets.
Driver controls consist of a Volvo 122 pedal box, a 100-mph speedometer, a dash-mounted tachometer, and auxiliary gauges and switchgear. A Terratrip 303 Plus rally computer is mounted in front of the passenger seat. Hella air horns were fitted and the odometer shows approximately 93k miles. Total mileage is unknown.
The previous 2,166cc B20 inline-four has been replaced with a modified B18 bored .060″ and fitted with dual SU carburetors along with a Tinus Tuning Phase 2 cylinder head, a Schneider 274 camshaft, forged pistons, H-beam connecting rods, steel timing gears, a Melling oil pump, a baffled oil pan, and ARP hardware. Work in September 2024 consisted of adjusting the valves and ignition timing, tuning the carburetors, and changing the oil. Oil leaks are noted by the seller.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through an 11-pound chromoly flywheel, an F&S clutch, a four-speed M41 manual transmission with overdrive, and an open differential with 4.10:1 gears. A 2″ sport exhaust has also been fitted along with a 17-gallon fuel cell.