The brand name Volvo was originally registered as a trademark in May 1911, with the intention to be used for a new series of SKF ball bearings. It means "I roll" in Latin, which comes from "volvere". SKF did not use it After the second world war the PV444 was introduced. The PV444was the first step to success as an international automobile producer. Because of its great popularity the PV444 was perceived as a car for the people in Sweden.
Volvo PV 444
In 1956 the PV444 was meant to be succeeded by the Amazon, but because of the continued interest in the PV444 and the much higher price of the Amazon, Volvo continued production of the PV444. In 1956 the Amazon was introduced, it shared the wheelbase of its predecessor, the PV444/544, and was offered in two-door sedan, four-door sedan, and five-door wagon body styles. In 1959 Volvo became the world's first manufacturer to provide front seat belts as standard equipment by providing them on all Amazon models.
Volvo P1800 "the Saint"
In 1961 the Volvo P1800 was introduced in Geneva using many mechanical parts from the Amazon. It is interesting to note that the Jaguar E-type was also introduced in Geneva. Jaguar was first offered the opportunity to provide an E-Type for the TV series The Saint, which aired from 1962 to 1969, but declined. Volvo accepted and offered a P1800, leading to increased sales. Volvo introduced its final P1800 variant, the 1800ES, in 1972 as a two-door Shooting brake with a frameless, all-glass tailgate.
The last Amazon was produced in 1970 and was followed up by the 140 series which was introduced in 1966. The 140 has even more safety features and was available with a Bosch Jetronic injection system and a six cylinder engine in the 164. In 1974 the Volvo 240 was introduced. The 260 series also received a V6 engine in lieu of the 164's inline-six. The steering was greatly improved with the introduction of rack-and-pinion steering, with power steering fitted as standard to the 244GL, 264DL and 264GL (Finally!).
Volvo Amazon
EZ Electric Power Steering and Volvo:
Our company produces power steering for all the abovementioned Volvo. After the first car we converted to power steering, a 1969 Opel GT, EZ Power Steering started producing kits for the Classic Volvo’s. In 2011 we redesigned these kits making them lighter, easier to install, more speed sensitive and better self-centering of the steering.
The Volvo power steering kits are among our best-selling models with especially the Amazon and P1800 models being very popular.