Please consider this humble Volvo wagon, the marque's initial foray into stationwagondom that would span decades and produce some of the most legendary, iconic, over-engineered cars on the planet. Starting out as a panel truck popular with plumbers, electricians, florists, and phone companies all over northern Europe, at some point during a Gothenburg marketing meeting, possibly taking place over a few pints of Hoga Kusten or Mariestad's Old Ox, someone suggested, "Hey, why don't we cut some windows in the sides, throw in a back seat, and see if anybody buys one?" And a star was born, affectionately called the Duett, as in "half-car, half-truck". I've had this beauty for 21 years. When I first got it, it had been in 15 small accidents, and we're not just talking dents and creases, but multiple jagged edges waiting to induce tetanus. After removing the nose, I discovered just how rusty it was, and a 16-year period of denial ensued. When the owner of the building it was in decided he could make more money growing pot in it than renting it to two gearheads, it had to be moved, and, since I'd driven it in, I decided I owed it to it, and me, to drive it out. It's not really a lemon. After reading a Hagerty article on the benefit of lists, I created one, and this guy is the only vehicle in the fleet, of six, with nothing currently under the header. Please consider it for concours status nonetheless.
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