Volvo Museum Gothenburg: 90 years of history at a glance

The Volvo Museum in Arendal at the outer section of the Port of Gothenburg is highly recommended to anyone who comes north via Gothenburg or those who wish to make a sensible use of a few hours waiting time for the ferry home. With around 7,000 square meters of exhibition space, the museum used by Volvo Cars and Volvo Trucks is not huge, but it shows the highlights of Swedish vehicles since 1927 in a beautiful thematic surroundings.

The subject areas for passenger cars and trucks are structured separately, just as the two vehicle Groups have been for a good few years now. In addition to the first truck from 1928, which highlights with the iconic ‘Iron Mark’ Volvo logo on the radiator grille: the pre-War platform truck and the robust Hauber from the 1950s to the legendary F89, where Volvo gained its great reputation as the truck for long-distance transport. The exhibits from the 80s and 90s also evoke memories to when trucks were still manually switched on and only rolled over the world’s slopes with the I-See (predictive cruise control) from the driver’s eyes.

Historic aircraft engines up to the jet powered Saab Viggen also feature as well as construction vehicles and a more than extensive collection cars which round off the visit nicely. In addition to the original Volvo P 1800 by TV adventurer Simon Templar (The Saint), one can also take a look at the classic pre-War sedans.

At the extensive evidence halls of the as yet unrestored collection pieces, in addition to a number of brand new car models, there is also a whole host of Volvo trucks that have shaped our roads. Over the years, the inventory is refreshed and the exhibits changed regularly, so that a second visit to the museum, which first opened in 1995, is always worthwhile.

There is plenty of parking space near the quay, a nicely furnished cafeteria and the obligatory souvenir shop complete the museum offers.

Entry costs 100 SEK (around €9.30), and the museum is open Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays are always closed between October 1st and April 30th. Address: Arendals Skans, 40 508 Göteborg, Tel: +46 (0) 31-66 48 14, email: museum@volvo.com Oliver Willms – ITOY