Jalopnik
Believe it or not, Volvo didn't always build sleek, swoopy, high-style automobiles. Once, Volvos were derided for being "boxy." I know, I was shocked to find this out myself. Apparently somewhere in a decade called "the 90's" Volvo designers discovered a French curve and all hell broke loose. Thankfully, the internet provides a window into a time when these mythical Volvos existed. The boxiest of the boxy is affectionately known as the Puppy. The Volvo Laplander was commissioned by the Swedish Army in 1974 as a general-purpose vehicle and eventually made it out for civilian use. One gee-whiz feature is a sensor on the brake system that automatically engages the 4WD in a panic stop, forcing the rear wheels to turn at the same speed as the front to minimize locking up the rear-end and sending the vehicle into as skid. The I6 spawned for this beastie lives on today in the form of the Penta 160, one of Volvo's Marine engines. See, not just meatballs and chocolate.
1974 Volvo C303 Laplander [Volvo Adventures]
VOLVO C303 [Real 4x4]
Related:
New York Auto Show: Volvo XC90 Show Truck [internal]
Comments
I guy I worked with at the City Paper in Vegas owns one of these things. He's also got a 12-second Volvo station-wagon, so go figure.
The best thing about this is pedestrians only need to duck to avoid obliteration.
Might want to double-check your spelling and capitalization.
Believe it or not, Volvo didn't always build sleek, swoopy, high style automobiles. Once, volvos were derided for being "boxy".
I don't believe you.
I take it the "C" stands for CrossCountry?
That would be XC. And my late-90's Volvo is indeed a box.
Volvo; Boxy, but safe.
Texans, you Crazy Person.
Not only is that cooler looking than a Hummer, but it's Swedish! You literally can't lose!
Unless you hit a corner going above 20mph, maybe.
In other news: Don't be so quick to deride '90s Volvo's. I've got a '93 940 Turbo wagon, and it's a genuinely fun car to drive, with a 2.4L I-4, 160bhp and 192lb/ft of torque. The steering feel is light and fairly precise, it's got Bilstein shocks, the most comfortable seats known to man, tons of room for junk in the trunk and a 32 foot turning radius. And it weighs around 3,200 pounds, dry.
Deceptively quick? No, not really; it has a four speed slushbox (the 940 Turbo was only ever offered with an autobox) and the most unresponsive shift logic I've ever had to deal with, but it's still plenty fun in the corners.
Dreamy. I want one. Put a pop-top sleeper on it (access through the machine gun port!) and it's the ultimate camper.
Available now on ebay.
I had a string of volvo's myself, a 82 240DL as my first car, followed by an 85 740 GLE Turbo diesel. I can certainly see the family resemblance.
Volvo participated three times in the Dakar Rally, all three times with a near original C303: http://www.volvooffroadklub.dk/Billeder/C303_i_Dakar.jpg
And hey now, what about the Inventor XR5D - basically a V70 XC on a C303 chassis: http://www.inventordakar.com/
notice on the side of the vehicle - real4x4.com. it's a real site devoted to the vehicle.
oh stupid me, i didn't see the link on the main page to real4x4. sorry. it's early in the morning. please don't kill my comment account for stupidity
Those C303 portal axles are the bees knees. Super low gearing, high clearance and lighter that Unimog portals.
All the cool rock crawlers are asking Santa for a set this Christmas.
Looks like they put a Snowcat on a rollerskate.
Chris in KY, what's the story on the bimmer in your avatar? looks pretty nice.
wohho, that's my 76 R75/6. I just finished restoring/rebuilding it kinda cafe racer style.
Wohho, that is my R75/6 that I just finished restoring/rebuilding sorta cafe racer style.
Also a Volvo retard here... Currently own 3. Obviously, the V70R is my favorite. I still pee a little every time I get on it.
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