Volvo Brage

Motor vehicle
Volvo Brage/Starke/Raske
Overview
ManufacturerVolvo
Also calledVolvo L360–375
Volvo L465–475
Production1954–72,
approx. 29,500 produced[1]
Body and chassis
ClassMedium size truck
Powertrain
EngineVolvo inline 6
Transmission4/5-speed manual
Dimensions
Curb weight8,350 kg (18,408.6 lb) – 11,500 kg (25,353.2 lb) (gross weight)[1]
Chronology
PredecessorVolvo Roundnose
SuccessorVolvo F85

The Volvo Brage/Starke/Raske was a series of medium size trucks produced by Swedish automaker Volvo between 1954 and 1972.

Volvo Brage

In 1954 Volvo introduced the medium-sized truck L370 Brage, named after the Norse god Bragi. The truck had a payload of 4.5 tonnes. Brage had an overhead valve petrol engine. In 1955 a budget model called L360 was added. It had a reduced payload of 3.5 tonnes and a side-valve engine.[2] The L360, which was never called Brage, was discontinued in 1957. Early trucks had a non-synchronized four-speed gear box, but this was soon replaced by a synchronized five-speed transmission. Demand for trucks with petrol engines declined with rising fuel prices and the Brage model was discontinued in 1963.

Volvo Starke

Parallel with the Brage model Volvo offered a diesel version called L375 Starke ("Strong"), with a payload of 4.5 tonnes.[2] In 1955 the budget model L365 was added, with a payload of 3.5 tonnes but it was discontinued the following year. Also Starke soon got its unsynchronized gear box replaced with a more modern five-speed gear box.

In 1961 the truck's name was changed to L465 Starke.

Volvo Raske

In 1961 the sturdier L475 Raske ("Swift") was introduced, with a payload of 5 tonnes. Besides Starke's diesel engine Raske was offered with a turbo-diesel.[3]

In 1962 Volvo added the forward control L4751 Raske Tiptop with a tilting cab to the program.

Volvo N84

1969 Volvo N84

Volvo introduced its "System 8" in 1965. The Starke model carried on with the new name N84. The major change for the truck was a more powerful engine.[3]

Other

In Norway, this series of trucks were nicknamed "Bamse"(a diminutive for "bear", also meaning "teddy bear")The original names are mostly unknown. The bigger "Viking" retained its original name.

Engines

Model Year Engine[1] Displacement Power Type
L360 1955–57 Volvo ED: I6 sv 3,670 cc (224 cu in) 90 bhp (67 kW) Petrol engine
L370 1954–63 Volvo A6: I6 ohv 4,703 cc (287.0 cu in) 115 bhp (86 kW) Petrol engine
L365-475 1955–65 Volvo D47: I6 ohv 4,703 cc (287.0 cu in) 95 bhp (71 kW) Diesel engine
L475 1961–65 Volvo TD47: I6 ohv 4,703 cc (287.0 cu in) 120 bhp (89 kW) Turbo-diesel
N84 1965–72 Volvo D50: I6 ohv 5,130 cc (313 cu in) 107 bhp (80 kW) Diesel engine

References

  1. ^ a b c Olsson, Christer (1987). Volvo – Lastbilarna igår och idag. Malmö, Sweden: Förlagshuset Norden AB. ISBN 91-86442-76-7.
  2. ^ a b Volvo Trucks Global – L36/37
  3. ^ a b Volvo Trucks Global – L47/N84

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volvo L375.
  • Volvo Trucks Global – history
  • Swedish brass cars – picture gallery
  • v
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Volvo Trucks timeline, 1920s - 1960s
Type 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Light duty LV4 LV60-series LV76-series Sharpnose L340 Snabbe/Trygge F82
Medium duty LV71-series LV81-series Roundnose Brage/Starke/Raske F85
Medium/heavy LV66-series Longnose Viking F86
Heavy duty Titan F88