Vendor supplied images

Highlights

  • Restored early 1800ES rarity 
  • Well specified with manual box and power steering 
  • Well known car in Volvo circles 
  • Only five registered keepers 
  • Over £6,000 invested since 2016 

The Appeal 

The 1800ES was an inspired idea - a sports car with estate practicality. Then there was the highly regarded B20 fuel injected engine and those exquisite Italianate lines. 
Built for just two years in small volumes, RHD survivors are highly sought after for all those reasons. Here is a very good one, a ‘72 built early in production and finished in stand-out Cherry Red following a restoration. The history and specification are equally compelling - there is a manual box and over £6,000 has been invested since 2016. 
Formerly owned by a well known Volvo collector who was a leading light in the Galway Motor Club, this UK market car has great provenance and known history back to its first registration. Examples as good as this rarely come to market, making it one not to miss. 

The History and Paperwork

  • First registered in the UK on 25th February 1972 
  • Five registered keepers 
  • Current keeper since 6th June 2015 as confirmed below 
  • Full history dating back to the car’s early days 
  • Originally registered in Surrey before moving to Plymouth 
  • Auctioned on 20th May 1989 in Banbury, with paperwork to confirm 
  • Subsequently moved to Towcester before third keeper acquired it on 23rd May 1997
  • Lived in London from this point until March 1999 
  • At this point acquired by well known Volvo collector and founder of Galway Motor Club 
  • Acquired by the seller from Hurst Park Automobiles in June 2015
  • Reportedly restored in the early 2000s in Cherry Red
  • Vendor reports that the car was originally automatic but VIN ‘5’ digit corresponds to a manual 
  • VIN plate shows this left the factory as a non-sunroof, 1972 RHD car with B20E engine and manual box 
  • It retains this specification 
  • Always garaged by the seller 
  • Vendor reports he has covered 3,600 miles since acquisition 
  • £4,758 spent with Amazon cars in late 2015 on servicing, brakes and suspension 
  • £1,837 invoice from Deanscroft Volvospec in 2021 for repairs to gearbox and differential 
  • Extensive history file dating back to car’s first days and covering main dealers and specialist work
  • Current MOT to 30th May 2024 with advisories to note 
  • Mileage on MOT shows 96,837 and now on 96,950
  • Historic Vehicle that is MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt 

The Condition

  • Stand-out attractive Cherry Red paintwork in good order following restoration 
  • Bodywork is well kept with tidy panelwork and well kept arches and sills
  • This is an older restoration so some marks and deterioration to be expected 
  • Vendor notes two small corrosion bubbles on nearside front wing 
  • Chromework in good order with only light marks to note 
  • Underside in generally good order with some MOT advisories to note on structure
  • Sits on refurbished alloy wheels which were restored in 2021
  • The original steel wheels x 5 are in good, presentable condition with new tyres in 2015
  • Quality Vredestein tyres fitted in 2021 with few miles covered since 
  • Fitted with a roof aerial but car not currently fitted with a radio 
  • Well kept interior with only light signs of use and patination to note in photos
  • Smart black leather seats likely retrimmed and present very well with little wear
  • They retain the cossetting shape and comfort for which they are known 
  • All interior electrics are said to work correctly except warnings for seatbelt and handbrake
  • Smiths clock is also said to be a little temperamental 

The Mechanics 

  • Highly regarded B20 125bhp 4cyl Volvo fuel injected engine 
  • 4spd manual gearbox appears to be factory correct
  • Regularly used for UK trips proving reliable and with no issues to report 
  • Fitted with electric power steering 
  • New battery recently fitted
  • Reported to always start and runs without issue 
  • Extensive recent maintenance by marque specialists detailed above 
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 
The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions.. 
We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 
This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 
We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence. 
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own  full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle. 
✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection 
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected] 

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Auction FAQs
Vehicle specification
  • Year 1972
  • Make Volvo
  • Model P1800
  • Colour Red
  • Odometer 96,950 Miles
  • Engine size 1800
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Chichester
  • Location Sussex
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
19 bids
  • La•••• £17,500 07/06/24
  • Ph•••• £17,250 07/06/24
  • Ph•••• £17,000 07/06/24
  • el•••• £16,000 06/06/24
  • Ea•••• £15,750 06/06/24
  • Ph•••• £15,500 06/06/24
  • an•••• £12,000 06/06/24
  • Sk•••• £11,500 04/06/24
  • el•••• £11,000 04/06/24
  • an•••• £10,500 04/06/24
Message C&C Auction Team

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