The Volvo TP21 is a rather odd looking vehicle. Known as the Sugga, which means sow in Swedish, likely due to its dowdy and snub nosed appearance, it would seem to be an unlikely target for corporate customization. Yet here is one of several classic Suggas that Red Bull customized for its promotions fleet.
Introduced in 1953, the TP21 was a replacement for the aged TPV in use by the Swedish armed forces. Rather than developing a bespoke body, Volvo repurposed the body section from their PV800 series taxi cab. The front bonnet and fenders were unique however. The rather vintage looking vertical grille gives the front end its characteristically snout-like appearance.
The TP21 featured a very beefy box section frame with three U-profile cross members. Suspended by leaf springs front and rear, both axles had a ratio of either 7:36:1 or 6:35:1. The engine was the solid, if not overly powerful, gasoline ED 3.63L side valve inline six which developed 90hp @ 3600rpm and 159lb-ft of torque. Routing this power was an unsynchronized four-speed manual gearbox and two-speed transfer case.
The Sugga, while effective off-road, proved to be a bit slow and crude on-road. It officially had a top speed of 90km/h in top gear, but the Swedish military advised its drivers to stick to 80km/h and under. The high cost meant the TP21 was not really suitable for foreign markets and was ultimately produced in small numbers.
When Red Bull modified this Sugga for its Promotion fleet, it might be disappointing–but not entirely surprising–that also they jettisoned the TP21 mechanical bits in favor of something a bit easier to drive and maintain. This particular one has Chevrolet K5 Blazer bones under its skin.
Here is the rear of the Sugga. From other examples I’ve seen online, those rear mounted jerry cans actually contain speakers and the Sugga operates as a mobile music station. I caught this as it was driving away, so I unfortunately do not have any interior shots. A blue Canadian Pontiac caught in this shot is hopefully partial compensation.
Image courtesy of mikeygottawa/Flickr.com
Swedish military cast-offs were not the only targets of Red Bull’s marketing. The Red Bull MINI is probably the most well known and numerous.
Less well known are the various Suzuki variants including this X-90.
Oddly enough, some time later I came across this supersized Sugga. While the stretching has somewhat sullied its looks, I do know more about this example. It was built by 360 Fabrication in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. A 1957 Volvo TP21 was cut into four then stretched and widened. A 2010 Ford F-350 crew cab with short box gave its chassis, which was shortened to fit. The Ford 6.4L diesel engine and automatic gearbox were retained.
The Ford donor also provided the dashboard and interior components.
The rear shows further customization including modern door and trunk releases. The truck is fully equipped with DJ equipment, and three flat screen TVs that lift up from the roof. The same source informed me that the K5 powered Sugga in the leading photo was converted to the same late model Ford power/wide body format as this truck above.
Seems like you could get a similar effect by mounting a ’35 Ford Fordor body on a Dodge Powerwagon chassis.
These would probably not appeal to Volvo’s regular demographic in the States. But if you want a Volvo that snarls “getthehellouttatheway!”, this would be it. Another Volvo model that I had never heard of. I am learning a lot this week.
Woah. Supersized Red Bull. Body rush.
Sow. hehehe
Very interesting. How that car ended up in the states boggles my mind. I don’t think they were ever sold to the private market. The only cars I have seen are the military ones in the military town I grew up in. Considering how few that were made, only 720 of them, they were quite numerous in my town. I don’t know how many, but perhaps 50 were stationed there. They were used as a radio communications car and as a command car. Most likely, they were used hauling officers around on exercises.
I like this a lot. There are some things that I would be perfectly happy if they stopped developing in about 1948. Mostly, that would be styles.
I am unsure what is Volvo in the picture with the steer horns. Just looks like a K5 to me.
It is a K5 – it’s illustrating the donor car for the first TP21 Bull’s mechanicals I think.
The original TP21 looks just the thing for going Troll hunting in…
Who gets the jobs of building things like this? I’m having a 1/3-life-crisis over here.
One of those Sugga Red Bull things was spotted around Brisbane a while ago. I didn’t quite know what to make of it. I lost interest when it passed…
Were they done and sent all over the place? Can’t imagine how it’s registered here.
KJ
In Canada you can register just about anything over 15 years old.
These things are BADASS. It looks like the little brother of the WWII era Dodge command cars, with that front grille. Homely? Not hardly! Shame that they had to swap the body onto a K-5 frame, but if its going to be run around in North America reliably, this is a smart move. Chevy/GMC parts can practically be had at a 7-11.
What I don’t like is that they cut up and widened the one to fit a Ford. Those body proportions take a European militaristic hard ass and make it look like one of those fiberglass hummer replica kits to re-body American 4x4s. Its still very cool, but loses the charm.
The first one is rather neat, but the second one is stupid. Totally trashing a classic military vehicle to turn it into an A/C equipped, infotainment cocoon. Like giving the Mona Lisa a boob job. Muy tasteless…
More Info on the Volvo TP21 Sugga is available at
http://www.VolvoSugga.org