History of Volvo VI trucks (1957-1967)

The Roundnose of the 40s and early 50s, Volvo's range of medium trucks, began its update in 1954 with the so-called “Bamse” trucks at that time: the Brage, the Starke and, later, the Raske. Bamse translates as teddy bear, it is unknown why it was called that, but surely they took this name because they are round-shaped trucks with a nice appearance, like the Pegaso I, popularly called "Mofletes", which we already told you about in our review. to the history of the Pegaso brand.

The L370 Brage takes its name from the Norse god of poetry, Bragi. It had a payload of 4.5 tons and was powered by a 115 hp overhead valve gasoline engine. In 1955 the L360 was added, more economical thanks to incorporating a less powerful side valve engine, 90 CV. Both models had a short life. The L360, the budget version of the Brage, was discontinued in 1957, just two years after its launch. The high price of gasoline caused the demand for the Brage to drop considerably, and production ceased in 1963.

The L375 Starke (strong) was also presented in 1954, this being a medium truck, but with a diesel engine, 95 CV and a load capacity of 4.5 tons. It also had its economical version, the L365, with a 3.5-tonne payload, which lasted only one year in production.

In 1961 the L475 Raske (Fast) was introduced. This new model is more resistant, with a higher payload of 5 tons, and with a version with a 120 CV turbodiesel engine. In 1962 it was renamed L4751 Raske Tiptop, incorporating the tilting cab as a great novelty.

In 1965, the Starke model changed its name and engine, becoming called N84 and having a power of 107 hp with a non-turbocharged diesel engine.

Volvo introduced its first advanced control truck L420 Snabbe ("Fast") in late 1956. It had a payload of about 3 tons thanks to incorporating the new V8 gasoline engine, which developed 120 hp. This V-8 engine had been developed by Volvo for a luxury concept car, which they called the Volvo Philip, in the early 1950s.

But this impressive engine had one major drawback: very high fuel consumption. For this reason, from 1964, the Snabbe was offered with a diesel engine as an alternative, with practically half the power.

At the beginning of 1957 the range of small trucks was completed with the L430 Trygge (“Seguro”), larger than the Snabble. It featured a stronger chassis and suspension. The payload was also increased, up to 5 tons. It was also offered with a 65 hp diesel engine starting in 1965. This was a tractor engine model that Volvo bought from Ford.

With the arrival of Volvo's “System 8”, introduced in 1965, the brand's small trucks changed names. The Snabbe became the F82 and the Trygge the F83.

The V8 engine was discontinued in '66, making the Snabbe the brand's last gasoline-powered truck.

From 1967 Ford's 65-hp tractor diesel engine was replaced by a more powerful one, made by Perkins Engines. With this diesel engine, both the F82 and the F83 saw their power increased to 80 CV.

Keep learning about Volvo's history in the following article: History of Volvo VII trucks (1967-1985)