This 1957 Volvo PV444 is an original black-plate California car that was shipped to Michigan in May 2015. The seller purchased the car two years ago and has since added 2k miles, participating in the 2015 Put-In-Bay Road Races Reunion and Waterford Hills Historic Races. The PV-444 was Volvo’s first unibody car and was produced until 1958. Power comes from a 1.6L B16 inline-four mated to a non-original 4-speed manual transmission. It is being sold with its original black plates, spare parts, and a clean Michigan title in the seller’s name.
Repainted some time ago in its factory California White shade, the finish is now dull and shows its age. Some corrosion is noted around the door and trunk weather-stripping, which is dry and cracked. Replacement rubber is included in the sale. Surface rust is also noted in the spare tire well and front floor pans, with a pinhole rust spot located on the driver’s side front pan. Blemishes and scratching in the finish are detailed in the gallery.
The interior was redone in the 1970’s or 80’s in brown vinyl, and door panels show some sagging and fade. A new carpet kit was installed and is covered in a set of cocomats. The seller notes a four-inch rip in the headliner on the driver’s side.
The dash houses cloudy gauges and cracking is noted in the steering wheel. According to the seller, the dome light is inoperable and the headlight switch sticks, thus requiring manual shut off under the hood.
The 1.6L B16B inline-four engine block was refinished in yellow at some point instead of the typical red and features dual side draft SU carburetors. PV444’s were equipped with 3-speed manuals, and this example has had a 4-speed swapped in. A service in the spring of 2016 included a starter rebuild, brake light and rear turn signal repair, and oil and filter.
Photos show the undercarriage and suspension components in detail below. Additional parts accompanying the sale include spare generators, NOS motor mounts, a master cylinder rebuild kit, door and trunk gaskets, gauge cluster, dash center with radio aperture, AM radio, and the original California black plates.