 | | Wooden box. |  |  | | Nice wheels and tyres. |  | | The drive to the front axle is not modelled. |  | | Nice mesh grille on the rear window. |  | | Decent tipping angle. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Rotation at the pivot point. |  | | On the road. |  | | Looks good on a suitably old low loader. |
|  Comment on this model.
This is a model of Volvo's first wheel articulated dump truck, the DR 631.
The DR 631 was in production in 1966-1967. It was a rugged, unsprung, four-wheel drive vehicle with articulated steering, and a load capacity of 10 tonnes.
The machine was called Grus-Kalle – which translated into English is 'Gravel Charlie'.
Packaging
The model comes in a wooden box with a clear lid and a clasp on the front. There is printed decoration around the sides. Inside there is black foam rubber and plastic formers protecting the model.
There were no missing parts on the review model. One wheel detached after removal from the box and the repair was difficult and not recommended for the average collector.
This model is of a machine in Volvo's history but there is no information about it.
Detail
The model comes with a black plastic base with a metal tab, which could be used to display the model.
The underside is has the rear drive shaft modelled in plastic although there is no drive to the front axle. There is some decent detailing on the top side of the chassis. The wheels have thin rubber tyres which reflect the heritage of the machine, and the front wheels are larger than the rear. The plastic wheels are nicely detailed with an excellent colour match.
At the front the engine panels are detailed with straps, and the hinges are not too obtrusive. There is a thin metal exhaust, and the metal grab rails leading to the cab are very good.
The cab is also good with a simple interior that befits the original machine, very nice lights, and a mesh grille on the rear window.
Behind the cab the steering pivot is nicely modelled, and when viewed from above the trailer detailing is very good including extremely thin hydraulic rams.
The dump body is a very good casting including perforations at the front for driver visibility.
Features
The model rolls reasonably with some snagging of the front wheels on the review model.
There is steering across the pivot point but it is very limited. It also rotates across the pivot point to allow for rough terrain.
There are two opening covers on the engine enclosure. The hinges are stiff enough for the covers to stay open, and there is a reasonably detailed plastic engine underneath.
The body tips to a good angle and any pose can be held.
Quality
The model is nice quality and the metal content is high.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
The model is fully priced.
Overall
Motorart models have been up and down in recent times but this one is a good offering, and pays suitable homage to a historic machine.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2015.
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|  | | Displayed on its stand. |  | | Body is modelled well. |  | | Thin exhaust. | |
|  | | Good chassis detail and very thin hydraulics. |  | | Front edge of the body has proper perforations. |  | | Opening cover. |  | | Plastic engine underneath. |  | | Gravel Charlie carries some big gravel. |
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