It was designed especially for the United States market, and so was fitted with a prototype V8 engine called the B8B, which produced 120 hp (89 kW) at 4000 rpm along with whitewall tires and a hint of tailfins.

However, it was cancelled by the board and never reached production, with only one car being made.

That car was used for several years by the board at Bolinder-Munktell in Eskilstuna and is now preserved at the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg.

This vehicle was hand built under extreme secrecy and was subjected to thorough testing.

However, the V8 engine entered production in 1956 and was used for a truck, the Volvo Snabbe, as well as for boats.