Volvo and the station wagon: over the years these two concepts have become almost inseparable. This 145 Express looks extra special with its raised roof and has been in the possession of the first owner for no less than 34 years.
Station wagons with a raised roof to make it easier to transport freight: you used to see them sometimes, but nowadays they are an extinct breed. The 145 Express is an example of such a station wagon. Compared to the regular station version of the 145, the roof of the Express has been raised in two places. Behind the windscreen, the roof has gone up to the B-pillar by about 5 centimeters in height, behind the B-pillar the height difference is still a lot bigger with 30 centimeters. A roof rack could then be mounted on top of that roof, which was also done with this copy.
The 145 Express is in fact the successor to the Volvo Duett, the delivery van based on the PV444 and -544. As a customer, you could get the 145 Express in different configurations: a delivery version with only two seats but full glazing all around, a ‘panel van’ with tinted rear side windows and in a passenger version with five seats. If desired, an extra rear-facing rear seat in the trunk could be added. This copy is from after the facelift, which can also be recognized by the rectangular plastic grille with the diagonal Volvo stripe. The first owner opted for the two-seat configuration, but omitted the tinted rear side windows.
This example still looks very neat for its age. The beam of the tow bar and the exhaust are a bit rusty, but otherwise the body seems for the most part to be free of rust and it still looks beautiful in its flaky paint. It has had very few owners. It follows from the data from the RDW that this 145 Express, originally delivered in the Netherlands, has had only three owners, the first of whom owned it from 1972 to 2006, a period of no less than 34 years. After that he was in the hands of another private person for one day and since 2006 he resides with his third and as yet last owner.
Thanks to forum user ‘rzasa’ for uploading his photos to the AutoWeek forum. Have you come across a unique car on the street yourself? Do not hesitate to upload them in the ‘What did you see today’ topic on the AutoWeek forum!
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl