Solved - Ola Puzzle #4: rear-engined Volvo PV 40 from early 1940s

[Carnut]

Maybe it's Swedish?

[tonyola]

Yes, it's Swedish.

[Carnut]

Yes, it's Swedish.

It's the Volvo V40 prototype from the early 1940's.
It had an 8-cylinder engine mounted ahead of the rear axles, so was mid-engined!

[tonyola]

It was actually called the PV-40 but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and the point. Also, I did ask what this car led to. The PV-40 idea was abandoned because of expense and the conventional PV444 was developed in its place.

[Carnut]

It was actually called the PV-40 but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and the point. Also, I did ask what this car led to. The PV-40 idea was abandoned because of expense and the conventional PV444 was developed in its place.

Sorry, that was a typo on my behalf.  I meant to put PV40 (as it says in the captions to the pictures..)
Also, I should have re-read the question as of course I could have answered the other bit too!
So instead I'll add that before WW2 Volvos were known for rather large cars and the management wanted something a bit smaller, which they thought was what people would want in the future; that's what the PV40 attempted to be (with 8 cylinders!!).  As we now know it didn't lead to anything and the PV444 was developed to fulfil the job instead.