History of Volvo IV trucks (1937-1950)

In 1937 the LV180/190 series was presented, within the medium/heavy truck category, replacing the LV66.

It shares an engine with the LV90 series but incorporates resistance improvements in its other components to support heavier loads. It was produced until 1943, being replaced by the Roundnose ("round nose"), which we will talk about later.

Also in 1937, the LV290 series began to be produced, also called "Longnose" (from "long nose"). This truck was Volvo's largest to date. It had a trailing axle, a large overhead valve engine and a gross weight of 13 tons. Its name precisely comes from this large front engine, covered by a hood even longer than the one mounted on the LV180 series, and therefore had a long nose. These models also mounted wood gasifiers to solve the shortage of fossil fuels during World War 2, which we told you about in our previous article.

The 290 series comprised the models from LV290 to LV293. They were produced from 1937 to 1951, initially with 120 hp engines. From 1938 its power was increased to 140 CV. Both engine models were offered in gasoline and Hesselman variants.

In 1947, its variant with a pre-chamber or indirect injection diesel engine of 130 CV began to be marketed, and in 1951 a direct injection diesel engine was installed, which developed 150 CV of power.< /p>

In 1938, Volvo introduced its LV101 series light truck, affectionately known as the "Sharpnose" for its slim, streamlined nose design.

The LV101 was pretty much a box car. In fact, it shared the engine, radiator cap and hood with the brand's taxi model, the PV800. The LV102 was also produced, somewhat larger and already considered a truck to use.

In 1940, the models from LV110 to LV112, heavier and differentiated from each other by their wheelbase, were added to the range.

All models had a gasoline engine that developed 86 CV of power (50 CV if fed with a wood gasifier). After the 2nd World War the series was renamed becoming the LV201/202, with an improved engine that maintained the displacement (3670 cc) but increased its power by four horsepower, up to 90 CV.

The model known as the “Roundnose” was introduced in the fall of 1939, practically at the same time as the start of World War II.

It was initially built in three versions: The LV120 series was the smallest and used the same 86hp side-valve engine as the Sharpnose. The larger LV125 and stronger LV130 series were powered by the LV90's 90PS overhead valve engine. On these models, the Hesselman engine was still an option. And it was also powered by wood gasifiers during the war.

In 1944 the LV140 series arrived, with a large 105 CV gasoline engine. This series replaced the long-nosed LV180/190 series, which had a 90 hp engine.

The Roundnose LV150 series, marketed since 1946, was the first model to mount a diesel engine, initially with a pre-chamber, which developed 95 HP of power.

In the 50s, the LV120 series was updated to be called L220, with the improved engine of the LV201/202 series, with 90 CV. The LV140 series is renamed L230, with a 105 CV engine, and the LV150 series becomes the L245 series, changing the pre-chamber diesel engine for a direct injection one that gained five horsepower, reaching 100 CV.

Keep learning about Volvo's history in the following article: History of Volvo V trucks (1950-1957)