Volvo C303 Explained

Volvo C303
Aka:Tgb 11
Volvo C03 4x4
Manufacturer:Volvo
Production:1974–1984
Engine:3.0L B30 OHV I6
Wheelbase:2.3m (07.5feet)
Length:4.4m (14.4feet)
Width:1.9m (06.2feet)
Height:2.3m (07.5feet)
Weight:24000NaN0
Volvo C304
Aka:Tgb 13
Volvo C03 6x6-1-V
Manufacturer:Volvo
Production:1974–1984
Wheelbase:2.3m (07.5feet) + 1m (03feet)
Length:5.4m (17.7feet)
Width:1.9m (06.2feet)
Height:2.3m (07.5feet)
Weight:29000NaN0
Volvo C306
Aka:Tgb 20
Volvo C03 6x6-5-V
Manufacturer:Volvo
Production:1974–1984
Predecessor:Volvo L2204
Wheelbase:2.7m (08.9feet) + 1m (03feet)
Length:6.1m (20feet)
Width:2.15m (07.05feet)
Height:2.8m (09.2feet)
Weight:33900NaN0

Volvo Cross Country C303 (Tgb 11, A.K.A "Terrängbil 11", translated as "Terrain Vehicle 11") is the base model of a range of military vehicles produced by Volvo.

The car was developed in the late 60s based on the successful L3314 series and went into production in 1974. This version was produced both as a 4x4 and a 6x6. An 8x8 was planned but dropped. Engines were the B30 (B20 in the prototypes) from Volvo's civilian cars. The C3 series feature portal axles with locking differentials resulting in very high ground-clearance (similar to the Unimog) and outstanding performance offroad. The cars are narrow to make it possible to navigate between trees and on narrow forest roads.

They were also sold to civilian customers for rescue services, electricity companies etc. and private use. In the Swedish army the vehicles are designated "Terrängbil xx" (or "Tgb" for short) where "xx" is a number defining the type of vehicle. See table below.

In the 1983 Paris-Dakar rally a Volvo C303 won the class for trucks under 10 tonnes.[1]

A total of 8,718 vehicles of the C3 series were made. Roughly 75% of these went into military service, with the remaining sold to civilian contracts. It was used by the Malaysian Army c. 1970–1990, the Royal Malaysian Police, and civilian users like Telekom Malaysia c. 1980s.

Variants

Data

224Nm at 2500 rpm
206Nm at 2500 rpm for the military editions

Military

Civilian users

In Popular Culture

The Volvo C303 and C304 could possibly be an inspiration for the Autobello Stambecco, a fictional vehicle in the soft-body physics game BeamNG.drive. The Stambecco is also based on the Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer, of similar design.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Volvo Cross Country Resources.
  2. Book: Steenkamp . Willem . Helmoed-Römer . Heitman . Mobility Conquers: The Story Of 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1978-2005 . September 2016 . 459 . Helion & Company . Solihull . 978-1-911096-52-8.