Volvo C303

Swedish military vehicle

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Motor vehicle

Volvo C303

Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo
Also called	Tgb 11 Volvo C03 4x4
Production	1974–1984
Powertrain
Engine	3.0L B30 OHV I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2.3 metres (90.6 in)
Length	4.4 metres (173.2 in)
Width	1.9 metres (74.8 in)
Height	2.3 metres (90.6 in)
Curb weight	2,400 kg (5,291 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volvo L3314

Motor vehicle

Volvo C304
Volvo C304 6x6, rear view
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo
Also called	Tgb 13 Volvo C03 6x6-1-V
Production	1974–1984
Powertrain
Engine	Volvo B30
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2.3 metres (90.6 in) + 1.0 metre (39.4 in)
Length	5.4 metres (212.6 in)
Width	1.9 metres (74.8 in)
Height	2.3 metres (90.6 in)
Curb weight	2,900 kg (6,393 lb)

Motor vehicle

Volvo C306

Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo
Also called	Tgb 20 Volvo C03 6x6-5-V
Production	1974–1984
Powertrain
Engine	Volvo B30
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2.7 metres (106.3 in) + 1.0 metre (39.4 in)
Length	6.1 metres (240.2 in)
Width	2.15 metres (84.6 in)
Height	2.8 metres (110.2 in)
Curb weight	3,390 kg (7,474 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volvo L2204

Volvo Cross Country C303 (Tgb 11, A.K.A "Terrängbil 11", translated as "Terrain Vehicle 11") is the base model of a range of military vehicles produced by Volvo.

The car was developed in the late 60s based on the successful L3314 series and went into production in 1974. This version was produced both as a 4x4 and a 6x6. An 8x8 was planned but dropped. Engines were the B30 (B20 in the prototypes) from Volvo's civilian cars. The C3 series feature portal axles with locking differentials resulting in very high ground-clearance (similar to the Unimog) and outstanding performance offroad. The cars are narrow to make it possible to navigate between trees and on narrow forest roads.

They were also sold to civilian customers for rescue services, electricity companies etc. and private use. In the Swedish army the vehicles are designated "Terrängbil xx" (or "Tgb" for short) where "xx" is a number defining the type of vehicle. See table below.

In the 1983 Paris-Dakar rally a Volvo C303 won the class for trucks under 10 tonnes.^[1]

A total of 8,718 vehicles of the C3 series were made. Roughly 75% of these went into military service, with the remaining sold to civilian contracts. It was used by the Malaysian Army c. 1970–1990, the Royal Malaysian Police, and civilian users like Telekom Malaysia c. 1980s.

Variants

4x4 versions (C303)
- Tgb 11, basic hardtop model
- Tgb 1111, soft-top model, fitted with the Pvpj 1110 90 mm recoilless antitank gun.
- Tgb 1112, hardtop model equipped with an array of radio and telephone equipment
6x6 versions (C304)
- Tgb 13, basic hardtop model
- Tgb 1313, hardtop model equipped with an array of radio and telephone equipment, much larger than the Tgb 1112
- Tgb 1314, hardtop model designed as an ambulance
- Tgb 1321, hardtop model equipped with radios, usually used to choreograph artillery batteries
6x6 versions (C306)
- Tgb 21, troop carrier, with room for up to 19 soldiers
- Tgb 22, troop carrier (11 soldiers) and transport for RBS 70 anti-aircraft missile

Data

Top speed: about 100 km/h (62 mph)
Engine: Volvo B30A petrol
Power: 125 hp (93 kW) at 4200 rpm
117 hp (87.2 kW) at 4000 rpm for the military editions
Torque: 224 N⋅m (165 lb⋅ft) at 2500 rpm
206 N⋅m (152 lb⋅ft) at 2500 rpm for the military editions
Weight:
- C303/tgb 11: 2,400 kg (5,291 lb), total 3,300 kg (7,275 lb)
- C304/Tgb 13: 2,820 kg (6,217 lb), total 4,400 kg (9,700 lb)
- C306/Tgb 20: 3,390 kg (7,474 lb), total 5,700 kg (12,566 lb)
Dimensions:
- C303/Tgb 11: length 4,350 mm (171.3 in), width 1,930 mm (76.0 in), height 2,170 mm (85.4 in)
- C304/Tgb 13: length 5,350 mm (210.6 in), width 1,930 mm (76.0 in), height 2,170 mm (85.4 in)
- C306/Tgb 20: length 6,050 mm (238.2 in), width 2,140 mm (84.3 in), height 2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Volume 2,982 litres
Leaf springs rear and front
Brakes: Drums on all wheels
- dual, semi-redundant system, dual vacuum servo assist
Tyres: 8.90"×16", 285/80-16 or 9.00"×16"
Fuel tank: 85 litres

Military

Angola: Used by the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola^[2]
Estonia: Used by the Military of Estonia
Latvia: Used by the Latvian Land Forces
Lithuania: Used by the Lithuanian Land Forces
Malaysia: Used by the Malaysian Army (c. 1970–1990), Royal Malaysian Police
Sweden: Used by the Swedish Army

Civilian users

Telekom Malaysia (c. 1980s).
Vägverket, the Swedish public roads administration.
Vattenfall, the then Swedish state owned power company.
SSRS, The Swedish voluntary sea rescue society.
Numerous fire brigades in Sweden.

References

^ "Volvo Cross Country Resources".
^ Steenkamp, Willem; Helmoed-Römer, Heitman (September 2016). Mobility Conquers: The Story Of 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1978-2005. Solihull: Helion & Company. p. 459. ISBN 978-1-911096-52-8.