A customer was in talking about a motorcycle mentioned he had just purchased 1963 Volvo PV544 Sport that needed attention. I mentioned that I had sold my 1961 Volvo 210 Duett last year and how straight forward they were to work on. After congratulating ourselves on our excellent automotive tastes, the Sport owner offered to sell me his car. Hook set, carp landed…

This 544 B18 Sport is a one owner car purchased here in Grants Pass from Steven’s Auto in 1963 and spent it’s life garaged in Murphy, Oregon. The owner was passionate about the Volvo and spent his ownership fixing things Volvo had missed when designing the car in the late 40’s. Along the way an auxiliary fuel tank was added in the trunk, taken from what appears to be a Volkswagen Type 11 holding about 8 gallons. There were numerous gauges added for fuel pressure, manifold vacuum, oil temperature, volt meter, oil pressure and a Tach. He added a rear tow hitch to protect the rear bumper from cars in the day hitting it while parallel parking. He converted from a generator to an alternator and then added Electronic ignition. Somewhere along the way he took it upon himself to paint the car in his garage, probably about 30 years ago and not to a high standard.

The purchase of a new Volvo meant the 544 was pushed into the back of the garage around 2003. Tags on the original license plate still on the car expired in 2004. It has been sitting there until recently when the owner passed in 2020 and his son pulled it out to get it running. It was driven up and down the driveway for the pass couple of years but the tires were so rotted, any further would have been more than adventuresome and most likely dangerous.

When I got the car to the shop, it was scary rolling it onto the hoist as the tires had cloth hanging out the sides. All of the fluids were changed, gas tank drained, filters replaced and a new set of Michelin tires installed. The dash was a bit confusing so most of the aftermarket devices were removed. The Speedometer was not working so a new cable was installed. The Speedometer works but while traveling about 40mph, it is reading 65-70mph. The Odometer is not working and is making quite a racket behind the Speedometer Head. It will need attention.

What I saw and did not repair is as follows. The interior is good but the front seats need covers. The headliner is almost perfect. The rear seat has a tear on one side. The front interior light is missing the lens. The front rubber floor mats are worn through on the driver’s side, but a set of fitted mats cover it. All of the mats and covers are available in stock patterns from VP-Auto Parts in VA. The rest of the cosmetic issues is up to the next owner’s pocket book.

The car drives remarkably well. The Transmission Syncros are all good, there is no mechanical noise from it or the Differential. The Engine sounds as it did the day it was delivered. The Drive Train might be the best part of the car! There is no rust anywhere except where the rear hitch was added. Other than the Odometer, everything works. It you wanted a real adventure, you might think of driving cross country in the car, it feels that sound.

Why is it being sold? What was I thinking… there are two bikes on lifts apart, three more waiting for attention and there just is not enough time even if it is a great driver.

The VIN# is 366147. For other interesting bikes and collectible vehicles, visit our web site http://www.automaniagp.com 541 479 8888 or come by and see us at Automania LLC, 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526. Oregon Dealer DA1287.

Automania LLC is a Consignment Oregon Dealer selling quality, privately owned vehicles including Aprilia, Buell, BMW, Citroen, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Hummer, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Nissan, Ossa, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Classic Hot Rods, Buick, Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet, Lamborghini, MG, Packard, Porsche, Rover, Shelby, Toyota, Triumph, Volkswagen and any other vehicle of interest