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
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

Volvo Brage

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  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
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