Quote:
Originally Posted by Army
Don't they have to have a smaller engine or speed restriction built in?
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Bo, a Swedish friend, tells me that, while they should, theoretically, be limited to 30Km/H (19MPH), 'Army', the authorities often 'turned a blind eye' as such a slow speed on public roads was itself considered potentially dangerous. Originally, such vehicles were generally only used to provide essential transport in the remoter, more rural parts of Sweden and so would only rarely encounter other traffic.
According to my friend (who is in his mid 70s), the concession arose out of the need for farm vehicles following a shortage post WW2.
To be legally driven by a 16 year old, a
Traktor could only carry two passengers (including the driver) and the rear wall of the cab could be no more than 10cm (4") behind the seats. Although many vehicles were modified in this way, the PV was one of the more popular ones due to it's availability, ease of conversion, repair and maintenance, and manufacturer support.
Where it was incorporated, speed restriction was most often easily and cheaply achieved by fitting a restrictor (which was also by design easily reversible of course
) into the carburettor. Bo recalled that many young men (and more than a few women) of his generation cut their motoring teeth on such vehicles, learning basic mechanics in this way that they still use today.
In more recent years, the conversion and customisation of these vehicles has evolved into a hobby that is limited only by the extent of one's imagination. Far from being working farm vehicles, many are now works of automotive art that are cherished and displayed with pride at shows up and down the country.
Regards, John.