Introducing Viv!
It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I have an affinity for classic cars and motorcycles. It was inevitable that I would eventually seek a cool vehicle to carry the Crooked Tree Breadworks name (and a few loaves of Sourdough) around town.
So what exactly is Viv? She is a 1957 Volvo PV445 Duett, Volvo’s answer to the needs of Swedish tradesmen for a tough work vehicle that can double as a stylish family car. It is the car that forever associated Volvo with sturdy, nimble wagons.
3 years ago I began searching in earnest for a Duett. The search wasn’t easy as there weren’t a lot of them imported to the US. Just when I thought I might need to plan a trip to Europe to find one, Viv appeared at GR Auto Gallery in Grand Rapids. She was exactly the car I had been looking for, right down to the color. A deal was struck, a purchase was made, and the CTB marketing budget for 2023 was suddenly depleted…
Over the course of her life, Viv has received some updates that make her quite usable, including a 1970-era 2.0-liter engine and 4-speed transmission, a modern 12-volt electrical system, and 3-point shoulder belts.
Everybody loves Viv! She’s a real head-turner. She has already proven adept at earning her keep as the Crooked Tree Breadworks brand mascot. Look for her out in front of the store, or delivering deliciousness to one of the excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and retailers around Little Traverse Bay.