3. Volvo 444/544
Sweden was a neutral country during World War II, which meant that they weren’t involved in fighting, so they turned to industry and economy. After the war, Volvo, Sweden’s biggest car company, wanted to export their cars. But they needed a fresh, modern car to attract buyers from other countries. So, in 1947, Volvo 444 was introduced.
At first glance, a knowledgeable enthusiast could see the striking resemblance to a 1941 Ford. Even when they gave the 444 a major restyling for the Volvo 544, the design influence was there. The look of the front end, sidelines, bulged fenders and roofline were too similar to Ford’s design to call it a coincidence.