1962 Volvo PV544 Sport

Engine: Inline, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement: 1.6 L (97 ci)
Bore and Stroke: 79.4 x 80 mm (3.125 x 3.15 in)
Power: 63.4 kW (85 hp)
Transmission: 4-forward, 1-reverse, manual
Weight: 929.8 kg (2,050 lb)
Capacity: 5 passengers
Original Cost: C $3027 (estimate)

Volvo produced their first car in 1928, but did not export to North America until 1956, with the PV444 and it gained the reputation of a well-built, economical car. In 1961, Volvo released the PV544 which combined the sportier characteristics of the previous PV444 with additional safety features including adjustable driver's seat, standard theft protection, and seat belt attachments in the front and back seats.

This 1962 Volvo PV544 Sport was originally purchased new in New York, but was seized at the Canadian border and was subsequently purchased by a professor at the University of Alberta.

The Volvo PV544 had several features including adjustable driver's seat, roomier seating, standard theft protection, thermostat controlled heater/defroster, generous luggage compartment, seat belt attachments in front and back seats. The more powerful 63.4 kW (85 hp) engines were only available to the US market and to the Swedish police.

Volvos are known as safety leaders and developed many of the industry standard safety features.

Chronology:

1924 - Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav Larson met and began discussing car makig in Sweden .
1926 - They made 10 pre-production vehicles.
1927 - First production of Volvos.
1944 - Introduced laminated glass and safety cage.
1947 - PV444 entered production.
1950s - Patented the 3-point safety belt.
1955 - First Volvos introduced to US but mass export by Volvo started in 1956.
1959 - Safety belts made standard on all Volvo models.
1963 - Opened assembly plant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
1964 - Introduced first rear-facing child seat.
1978 - Volvo introduces their own child booster seat.
1991 - First 3-point seat belt for middle rear seat and side Impact Protection System developed.
1990s - Volvo is losing market share with the introduction of Acura and Lexus and the growing popularity of Subaru.
1994 - Volvo is first to introduce side airbags and by 1995 standard on all Volvo models.
1998 - Introduced head-protection airbags and Whiplash Protection System.
1999 - Volvo group sold their auto manufacturing division to Ford.
2004 - Introduced the Blindspot Information System.
2008 - Due to global economic crisis, Ford announces the possibility of selling Volvo.
2010 - Ford sells Volvo to Geely Holding Group of China.