My Life With Tjorven 
I literally grew up with 
      "DAF" and "Tjorven" and up until today so many cars have passed my hand 
      that I lost count. The interest for the brands have increased during the 
      last years during the 80´s I thought I was pretty alone!

But first a few words of what it’s all about! In the mid 60´s the Swedish Company Kalmar Verkstad established cooperation with the Dutch car manufacturer DAF. A few prototypes of a small delivery Van was produced based on the "DAF 33" model. By 1969 decision was made to start serial production of "Tjorven" or "Kalmar" as the model was called on export markets.


      Tjorven in its final shape was 
      manufactured between 1969 and 1971 with changes in the models thru the 
      years. Change was made from 6 volt electrical system to 12 V in 1970 
      and as DAF changed detail’s between modelyear 1960 to 1970 
      subsequently these changes also somewhat affected Tjorven with 
      change of type of steering-wheel and other 
      detail’s.

In 1971 the back door was changed to the "alligator" one. At the time Kalmar Verkstad also worked as agent for DAF in Sweden, until 1972 when Volvo took over the DAF sales and marketing. Tjorven of course incorporated DAF´s "Variomatic" transmission system.

All except a few prototypes where based on DAF 44, and also had the same 2-cyl. air-cooled 4-stroke flat engine, with a cylinder volume of 844 cc. The max. output was 40 hp SAE at 4500 rpm. The bodywork where made of light glass-fibre polyester and contained 30 parts and was original gelcoat treated. Length:3600 mm, width: 1690 mm, height: 1870 mm. Short before the car production at Kalmar Verkstad closed, a couple of prototypes of new models where presented.

The name "Tjorven"

First to bring clarity about the name "Tjorven". It origins from a popular Swedish family-show on television in the early 1960´s. Based on a book by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. The story is mainly about a little girl living in the archipelago outside Stockholm and whose nickname was "Tjorven". When "Tjorven" was presented, the name was familiar to most people in Sweden. Kalmar Verkstad realized that the name had to be changed for export. So they renamed it to "Kalmar". But I am quite sure that if you look at the chassie-numbersign even on the cars that you find in Europe the sign probably tells "Tjorven" KVD-441 or KVD-440.


      
      
      Maria Johansson played "Tjorven" on Swedish Television and in 
      movies based on Astrid Lindgrens books.


      Electrical 
      Powered Tjorven
       
      Now 
      over to the electrical conversion of Tjorven. 
      Kalmar 
      Verkstad produced several electrical powered models over the 3 years of 
      manufacturing the car. The electrical powered 
      versions featured a standard gearbox, mainly from Volvo and 
      improved structure of the frame in order to carry the aditional weight of 
      the batteries.
      The 
      most common power source was a 120V DC engine with a peak of 50-70 Kw and 
      a continual effect of 15-30 Kw, but one can also find 24 or 48 Volt 
      systems.
       
      Some 
      engines where pulls and frequency modulated through the whole RPM-register 
      of the engine. This of course varied between different models and 
      different battery-makes. One interesting thing is the series of electric 
      powered Tjorven built as late as back in 1983. Due to the large number of 
      un-used cars that still where in stock at the Swedish postal service, a 
      technical division in the Swedish post company called PVI "Postens 
      Industrier" rebuilt a number of cars. They where delivered in 1983 and 84. 
      I know that at least one of them survived and could now be found in a 
      museum here in Sweden. 
      Apart from "Tjorven" Kalmar Verkstad also developed and produced the truck 
      "Kalmar Terminal" and the automized delivery system "Robotug" 
      

More about this on 
      my second DAF/Kalmar page!

Kalmar / Tjorven prototypes and developments.

Kalmar Verkstad with one of its early 1960´s trucks at Swedish Transport Fair.

Kalmar truck used in great numbers by Swedish post and Swedish Rail during the 60´s and 70´s.

The first prototype of "Tjorven" manufactured in 1965 based on DAF 33 components.

Kalmar Verkstad executive Erik Hammerlund posing with Kalmar prototype and a DAF 55 picture taken winter 1968-69

Prototype from 1970 of "Tjorven Last" open delivery van.

Tjorven "Last" with matching trailer.

Tjorven "Kombi" prototype from 1970 with 1100cc engine from DAF 55 and with 6 seats.

Tjorven "Kombi" with flexible and moveable seats.

Interior of Tjorven "Kombi"

Tjorven introduced to the Swedish public. You could win this car in a lottery back in 1969!

Ad from 1971 from Auto Car the biggest DAF and Kalmar agent before Volvo took over in 1973.

DAF From VAN DOORNE`S

The two brothers Hubert and Wim Van Doorne started a small mechanical workshop in 1928. In 1936 they began the delivery of vehicles for the Deuch army. In 1940 they prepared production of trucks. After the World War II they could resume the truck production. In 1957 production of diesel engines on licence from British Leyland. 1958 the first small car was presented DAF 600. Followed by model 33. Five years after the production started the 100.000 the car left the production. And a new model was planed: DAF 44. The operation was to be reorganized for the new models. For instance the manufacturing of truck parts where moved to Oevel in Belgium. A result of this was that DAF had the capacity to build the engines for DAF 44 in Eindhoven.

In 1967 a new plant in Born saw the light. It had a capacity of producing 100.000 cars a year. The reorganisation split DAF into three parts: Trucks, Transmissions, and small cars. In 1968 DAF 44 was introduced this also air-cooled, along with DAF 55 with 1100cc engine from Renault. The 44 and 55 models where also presented as "combi" models and DAF 55 as "Coupé" model. In 1973 DAF 66 was introduced, in several different models: Luxe, Super Luxe and "Marathon". "Marathon" with 1300 cc engine and also available in "Coupé" model.

Hubert J Van Doorne and Wim A Van Doorne

From the plant in Born, production of DAF 44 1968

Plant interior - Variomatic production.

Cutting table. "B" type bodies for DAF 44 and 55.

Assembly line My own cars - or at least a few of them! Tjorven / Kalmars

Tjorven 1971. I bought this one back in 1982. It had only been slightly used and had only 27 Swedish miles on the meter! In contrast to all the bad and neglected cars that have passed over the years!