When Americans think of Volvos, they typically think of safe cars and heavy construction equipment--but hearses, not so much. In its native Sweden, Volvo has, throughout its...
When Americans think of Volvos, they typically think of safe cars and heavy construction equipment--but hearses, not so much. In its native Sweden, Volvo has, throughout its 86-year history, offered vehicles to fit every consumer and commercial need. And from 1949 through the 1960s, their PV445 and P210 commercial chassis were bodied as pickup trucks, ambulances, station wagons, convertibles, delivery vans, and yes, hearses.
There is only one Volvo hearse currently residing in North America, and it is a 1965 P210 E called "Val," after Valhalla, the banquet hall of Norse god Odin, where Valkyries brought slain warriors. It may look solemn, but this black Volvo has brought great fun to New Jersey residents Greg Miller and Will Van Allen in the 19 years they've owned the car, which is one of just three known to exist worldwide.
Volvo had stopped selling the bare P445 and P21114 rolling chassis in 1962, so unlike many of the commercial Volvos that preceded it, Val was created out of a 1965 P210, the body-on-frame wagon known to Volvo enthusiasts as the Duett. It was built by Swedish coachbuilder Heinel Verkstads in Malmö and spent almost 30 years in service at a funeral home in Vårgardå, Sweden. The car retained its factory single SU-carbureted, 75hp 1,778cc "B18" four-cylinder engine and floor-shifted four-speed manual gearbox.
It was imported from Sweden with the equivalent of just 34,000 miles on the odometer, at the behest of Greg and Will, by vintage Volvo specialist Joe Lazenby. The roadworthy car showed its age with rust on the floors, the rocker panels, at the bottom of the doors, and in the spare tire compartment. No matter, it was an instant hit at car shows like the one where AB Volvo CEO Sören Gyll admired it. Soon after, Volvo PR specialist Dan Johnston introduced Val's owners to FAPS, Inc., the Newark, New Jersey-based firm that repairs any cosmetic damage Volvo's new cars incur during their overseas voyage.
"They did a full chassis-up restoration in only three months; the only thing they didn't do was rebuild the engine. They told us, 'What we did in three months would normally take a year,'" Greg recalls. "They repaired the rust in the floors, the rocker panels, at the bottom of the doors, and in the spare tire compartment. One thing was that, before the restoration, the hood and back doors had made the haunted house creak when they opened. After the restoration, they were silent. I said, 'Can you put the haunted house noise back in? It seemed suitable,'" he laughs. Will says, "Just this past winter, our mechanic, Aaron Tweedie, completed the restoration by finishing the engine compartment. He repainted all the sheet metal, and did the block in Volvo red; the valve cover is silver, and the manifold is two-tone black and silver. It looks stunning."
Although it gets an impressive 30 MPG, this heavy-duty professional car drives more like a truck than a 544, Will reports, as the stiff suspension has little travel, and the shortened passenger compartment means the bucket seats don't go back very far. The four-speed manual gearbox and un-assisted steering and brakes make each drive a workout. But Val is still great fun. "People are drawn to it," Greg admits. "Truckers beep and wave. I bought it as a laugh, but when Joe gave me the keys, he told me I'd be a celebrity, and this was our head-turner. I'm not a celebrity, the car is. And it's not a head-turner, it's a show-stopper."
1965 Volvo Duett P210 Hearse
This Swedish coach-built 1965 Volvo hearse is a lively conversation piece
There is only one Volvo hearse currently residing in North America
Featured By Hemmings 2018
1965 P210 E called "Val," after Valhalla, the Norse god Odin banquet hall, where Valkyries brought slain warriors.
Floor shifter
4-speed transmission
Museum piece
Restoration Photo Album Included With Sale
75hp 1,778cc "B18" four-cylinder engine
Casket Included & Women's Mannequin Body Inside
Removable Magnetic Funeral Flags
South Jersey Classics is a 10,000-square-foot classic and specialty collector automobile dealer, featuring 50+ vehicles. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Newfield, NJ. Our Dealership is on US Route 40 just off New Jersey Route 55, Exit 39B heading towards Elmer, NJ; conveniently just 40 Minutes East of Philadelphia, 40 Minutes West from the Major New Jersey Shore Points, and 30 minutes North of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Our Showroom is conveniently accessible from all major Southern New Jersey Roadways including New Jersey Turnpike, I-295, I-76, NJ Route 42, NJ Route 55, US Route 40, Atlantic City Expressway, and New Jersey Parkway. Our website is www.SJClassics.com and our phone number is (856) 521-0832. Don't hesitate to contact us anytime for more information or to come to see the vehicle in person.