Description
H&H Classics @ Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
Wednesday 26th July, 2023 | 1pm
1970 Volvo P1800 E
Current ownership since 1989
Estimate
£12, 000 - £15, 000
Registration No: TMA 700J
Chassis No: J32622
MOT: Exempt
In the vendor's ownership for thirty-four years
Fitted with a Black Webasto sunroof and overdrive
Only 5, 000 miles covered while in the vendor's possession
Accompanied by a history file including many past MOTs and invoices
Based on a design exercise by the Swedish-born Pelle Petterson whilst working at Frua, the Volvo P1800 was officially unveiled at the January 1960 Brussels Salon. Not entering production for a year, the newcomer's sleek monocoque bodyshell was equipped with independent front suspension, a coil-sprung 'live' rear axle and disc / drum brakes. Powered by a 1782cc OHV four-cylinder engine allied to a four-speed manual gearbox, the 2+2-seater was capable of over 100mph. Initially manufactured in the UK, P1800 assembly was transferred to Sweden during April 1963. Best remembered as Roger Moore's steed in 'The Saint' TV series which ran from 1962 until 1969, the stylish Volvo has long been a cult classic. The original engine was replaced in 1969 by the 2-litre B20 unit, itself being upgraded a year later with a revised camshaft and fuel injection. The resulting output was 130bhp - sufficient to power the Volvo to 62mph in 9. 5 seconds and on to a shade under 120mph. This facelifted model acquired four-wheel disc braking at the same time.
This P1800 E was manufactured new in 1970 and was supplied new to the United Kingdom, being first registered on the 13th of August 1970. Finished in the attractive colour combination of Safari Yellow with complementary Black leather interior upholstery and Brown carpeting, this B20 engine example has the four-speed manual transmission with desirable overdrive and is one of very few examples fitted with a Webasto sunroof (along with the all important wind-deflector). Coincidentally spotted by the vendor in a showroom near his home in 1987, having looked at several other examples, the vendor acquired ‘TMA 700J’ and has coveted 32622 whilst being in his ownership. The Volvo has covered very minimal mileage in the vendor's hands with only approximately 5, 000 miles driven and now displays some 27, 507 miles on the odometer, with the Volvo having four previous keepers showing on HPI.
Benefitting from regular servicing and improvements while in the vendor's ownership, the P1800 has most recently received a new fuel injection pump and injection set up in 2013; overhauled starting equipment and rear axle straps in 2018; front seat frames re-webbed and retrimmed in 2019; with the Volvo most recently being serviced in 2022. Supplied with a history file that contains the original instruction book, a large collection of invoices dating back to the vendor's purchase, numerous MOTs from 1988 onwards, many past tax discs and current V5C document. Starting readily and running well during our photography session, however, it is worth noting that the P1800 has covered very minimal mileage recently.
