Handy, clear and entertaining - that is what Matthias Gerstl's Volvo model compass aims to be. This defines the terrain, because not all the cars that Volvo has ever built fit onto 128 pages, nor can you expect the depth of a type book, which of course exists for individual Volvo vehicles.
So Gerstl limits himself to the vehicle types since 1945 and keeps a certain distance to the details. In return, you get a fairly comprehensive overview of Volvo's post-war history in just a few pages.
With company history
At least the volume is introduced by a company history, which also mentions the pre-war cars and the streamlined Volvo Carioca from 1935.
However, there are not many pictures in this part.
The most important model series
On almost 120 pages, the most important Volvo model series are documented clearly and in historical order. Supplemented by technical data in tables, which unfortunately have to make do without production figures, the individual chapters characterize the different vehicle types that Volvo produced between 1945 and the modern era. Even the P1900, which is known to have only been produced in 67 units, is not missing.
The model series taken over from DAF are also mentioned.
Almost half of the type compass deals with vehicles from the current century, i.e. models such as the S60 or the XC90. The entire SUV range of the modern era is also included in the booklet. So if you are only interested in classic cars, you will find what you are looking for, but will only benefit from part of the Type Compass.
Factory pictures
The compact book is illustrated almost entirely in color and with factory photos, which Volvo distributed in large numbers and with beautiful subjects. Some of them have certainly been seen elsewhere.
There are probably well over 100 pictures in total, some of which are even printed on two pages.
A quick introduction
Gerstl's book is recommended as a lightweight introduction if you still know little about Volvo. Its advantage is its brevity and clarity, its disadvantage is the lack of depth and, of course, the impossibility of presenting all types in the same depth.
For EUR 12.00 you can't expect a 300-page hardback book. Anyone looking for such a book will have to look elsewhere.
Bibliographical information
- Title: Volvo - Type compass - Passenger cars since 1945
- Author: Matthias Gerstl
- Publisher: Motorbuch Verlag
- Edition: 1st edition 2018 (March)
- Language: German
- Format: Softcover, 20.5 x 14.2 cm
- Scope: 128 pages, approx. 110 illustrations (mostly in color)
- ISBN: 978-3-613-04063-2
- Price: EUR 12.00
- Buy/order: At Motorbuch Verlag (currently not visible online), online at amazon.de or in relevant bookstores
