Editor’s Note: Gary Ramstad is the President of the local PSVSA chapter and also the Vice President of the national parent club VSA. (Volvo Sports America) This is his story about “Kristine”
Purchased in 1985, after turning 41 years old, this was my “mid-life-crisis car”. This Volvo was to replace my very first red 1960 PV544 Volvo, which I drove from 1965 to 1969 for college, then marriage, and my Navy Vietnam War service on the “USS EVERSOLE DD-789 Destroyer out of Long Beach, CA.
My ownership have stretched to 35 years and counting with this fun 1962 Volvo.
This red 1962 PV544 Volvo was purchased in March 15, 1985 for $3,000 with a rebuilt engine, new red paint, and new black interior done in 1982, now 38 years ago.
The restoration shop was in Berkeley, California and a company called Swenson’s Automotive that rebuilt old Volvos to resell with new paint, chrome, interior, and a rebuilt B18 type Volvo engine.
I named her “Kristine” with a “K”, which is how it is spelled in Swedish, after the horror movie “Christine” by John Carpenter in the 1980s. I think this Volvo has a mind of her own at times, and it’s always been a love and hate relationship between the two of us for the past 35 years as driving, restoring, and repairing so many different unusual Volvo mechanical problems.
Now in the later years everything is good and its very fun to drive. “Kristine” is now older and has settled down.
The interior is so narrow that you touch the passenger door with your hand, while driving.
This PV544 Volvo is like a small sports car that weighs only 2400 pounds, and has dual carbs, a 110 horsepower B20 engine and a 4 speed transmission.
This Volvo is a joy and very fun to drive. It always produces lots of turned heads, waves and smiles from people passing on the street. It’s a fun Volvo.
Text and Photo: Gary Ramstad