Long before Volvo is known as a brand with advanced security features , the Swedish manufacturer has sports car called the Volvo Sport . Launched on June 2, 1954 , 2 - passenger roadster is the company's first sports car .
Blaze of ideas Volvo founders , Assar Gabrielsson , when visiting the United States ( U.S. ) in the 1950s . The aim is to study the market before launching the product there . He studied , there is a strong interest in the U.S. with European sports car -sized compact . With this in mind , Volvo must have the goods.
Assisted by specialist companies fiberglass body from California , Glasspar , which makes the prototype version , the Volvo Sport project to start in 1954. Showing the short and stout body with a large grille . Wheelbase 2000 mm . Equipped with a 1.4-liter 70 PS engine with 2 carburetors . Top speed of 155 kph with a 3 - speed transmission system .
early retirement
At launch , Volvo says it will create 300 units , all for export . In 1956 , the first units delivered to customers in various countries , namely South Africa , Brazil , Morocco , and the United States . Volvo Sport also eventually be marketed in Sweden after reviewing the foreign policy of exclusive marketing .
In the early years of production , there are only 44 units . Then a year later 23 units out of the production line in 1957 . Career Volvo Sport finished in the year when the director of the new company , Gunnar Engellau , decided that the car should be " early retirement " because under standard and not making a profit . Up to now , there are 50 units that still exist .
But Volvo sports car does not end there . After discontinue , Volvo made the legend , P1800 sports car
