Volvo Brage
The Volvo Brage/Starke/Raske was a series of medium size trucks produced by Swedish automaker Volvo between 1954 and 1972.
| Volvo Brage/Starke/Raske | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo |
| Also called | Volvo L360–375 Volvo L465–475 |
| Production | 1954–72, approx. 29,500 produced[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Medium size truck |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Volvo inline 6 |
| Transmission | 4/5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 8,350 kg (18,408.6 lb) – 11,500 kg (25,353.2 lb) (gross weight)[1] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volvo Roundnose |
| Successor | Volvo F85 |
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
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
- Olsson, Christer (1987). Volvo – Lastbilarna igår och idag. Malmö, Sweden: Förlagshuset Norden AB. ISBN 91-86442-76-7.
- Volvo Trucks Global – L36/37
- Volvo Trucks Global – L47/N84
