It’s cold in Europe. So cold, a Swiss guy put a wood stove in his Volvo

National Post ^ | February 10, 2012 | Jan Vykydal

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Here’s an equation you probably didn’t learn in school: European cold snap + Swiss ingenuity = wood-burning stove in a Volvo.

Europe is being hit by severe cold weather that started two weeks ago, and the Continent’s deep freeze expected to continue until mid-February.

Still, that hasn’t stopped one enterprising man in Switzerland from venturing outside in his slightly modified Volvo. And by “slightly modified,” we mean he took a whole wood-burning stove and put it in his car.

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[Squawk 8888]

Not a ping

[Larry Lucido]

I installed a gas stove in my Pinto but the results were less than desirable.

[Aevery_Freeman]

Wow! This guy has just solved and electric car issue for us.

In Minnesota, we'll need that technology in our Chevy Volts to drive them about six months of the year.

[ptsal]

Those creative Swiss...

[DuncanWaring]

Don't forget the American Rednecks:

[JimSEA]

Man, not only is that dumb, but it took a lot of time and effort. Both photos.

[Minn]

I once had a 64 Beetle with an after-marked gas powered heater in the front trunk that really cranked.

[DuncanWaring]

Apparently the guy who retrofitted the A/C had a lot more time than money.

[T-Bird45]

I owned a 1980 244 DL until 1988 and never had any problem keeping it warm so I’m having trouble understanding the need for additional heat.

[JimSEA]

I’m afraid if I ever saw the AC fix up in a parking lot they would have to carry me away, having passed out laughing. Great photo!

[SkyDancer]

Pikers! Spend a winter in Chicago or Nome, Alaska. Europeans are such wimps.

[SgtHooper]

Eh, not really. The Volt will be on fire, thereby providing ample heat to get ya through those cold spells.

[Jack Hydrazine]

What year is that Volvo wallywagon? Are they known for not having good heating systems?

[21twelve]

I think it was pretty slick of the guy. You didn’t even notice the replacement tail lights stuck onto his trunk!

[Jack Hydrazine]

Did it explode on impact, too?

[Venturer]

I was wondering if he was living in the car.

When he is driving the heater should do the job.

[2111USMC]

Red Green would be proud!

[Slings and Arrows]

Enjoy your carbon monoxide poisoning, Heidi.

[Ronin]

I’m with you. One of my favorite expressions is “If it’s stupid and it works, it’s not stupid.”

The guy had a problem, didn’t have a lot of cash, looked around at what he did have (or what he could afford) and found something that worked.

I admire people like that, and always strive to think outside the box when a seemingly insoluble problem shows up.