This is a rather surprisingly ambitious effort for Volvo to undertake in 1952. The Philip was clearly intended for American consumption, as a largish 3.6 liter V8 powered sedan wouldn’t have gone over well at home or in Europe in 1952.
To look at the full-form styling and embryonic tail fins, there is no question that the ‘Philip’ concept is from the 1950s. Philip was a large car powered by a large V8 engine; however, the embryonic tail fins distinctly follow the American trend. The idea of building a car more similar to an American model than the small, rounded PV was conceived in 1952, some years before Volvo made its first attempt to enter the North American market with the 122S and PV544 in 1959. Although the car might now be considered attractive, it never reached production.
