In the 1960s, Volvo was at the top of its game, building cars which were not only sturdy and dependable but also stylish and genuinely desirable. The staples of the Volvo range at the time, the PV544 and Amazon were both good-looking family cars destined for success in rallying, so when Volvo announced a sporty GT, people had high expectations of it, and it didn’t disappoint.
Volvo had been planning a new sports car since 1957, when its misguided fibreglass P1900 two-seater was pulled after fewer than 70 had sold. Styled by Pelle Petterson with the guidance of Pietro Frua, the P1800 was its more appealing replacement. Its sleeks, graceful lines were as attractive as any Italian berlinetta and, with its mechanicals derived from the Amazon, it was also well-engineered.
For convoluted reasons, the earliest P1800s were actually assembled by Jensen in West Bromwich rather than in Sweden. This British connection was instrumental in forging a relationship with I.T.C. which would secure a legacy for the P1800 as an icon of 1960s style and culture.
Having been snubbed by Jaguar, the makers of the new television series The Saint decided that the P1800 was just the right sort of car for Simon Templar, the debonair crime-fighter suavely portrayed by Roger Moore. The series, of course, was an enormous success, and the effect it had on Volvo’s reputation, which until then had been exalted mainly by rally enthusiasts, goes without saying.
With production moving to Sweden from 1963, the P1800 remained internationally popular and, in 1969, the 1.8-litre B18 engine was replaced by the two-litre B20B, which would give it a top speed of 118mph and a 0-100km/h time of 9.5 seconds. In 1970, it became the P1800E as it now boasted Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection (E for Einspritzung, the German word for fuel injection), and received a minor facelift for the new decade. Another improvement was the introduction of four-wheel disc brakes.
Besides The Saint, the P1800’s other claim to fame is that it holds the world record for the furthest distance covered by a car; Irv Gordon’s 1966 example had been driven over 3.2 million miles by 2018. There you have it – with its gorgeous looks and failsafe engineering, the P1800 is still one of the best cars you can own and drive, even at 60 years old.
With only five keepers from new, one of whom we believe is recorded twice, the history of this P1800 is traceable to 25th June, 1981, when it was acquired by the previous owner, Henry Ellison of South Croydon, Surrey. Mr. Ellison bought it from the Barrie Collins Motor Co. Ltd. of 268 London Road, Wallington.
The vendor purchased the car in 2001 and has enjoyed it greatly over the past 20 years, sometimes even using it in a daily-driver capacity.
Besides the current V5, the P1800 comes with a lot of historic paperwork, including the sales invoice and guarantee issued to Mr. Ellison when he purchased the car in 1981. Also included are the original Volvo 1800E Instruction Book and the Warranty and Service Booklet.
There is a collection of service bills, invoices for spares purchased and MoT certificates, although it has not received an MoT since 2018, when possession of one ceased to be a legal requirement.
The P1800’s interior has been preserved in an attractive, largely original state. The front seat has been reupholstered in leather at some point so is in especially good condition, but for the most part it is all in good, original condition with an appealing light patina.
There is a small tear in the vinyl which covers one of the wheel arches, but the vendor advises that this could easily be glued.
For the most part, this Volvo is in a very nice condition, and a particularly appealing feature is the vivid Turquoise paint, an original factory colour which would have been all the rage in 1971 but is very rare today. It was partially resprayed some years ago, so the paint is very presentable but there are visible imperfections in places.
The chrome is generally in good condition but there are some cosmetic blemishes which a future owner may wish to address. There are a few small dents in the wheel trims which should knock out easily and there are some small areas where corrosion is starting to appear, including inside the boot.
The only major repair required is to the sill on the passenger side, which will need to be replaced. Otherwise, there are no other structural repairs required to the best of our knowledge, and when that is done the car will be ready for shows or a spot of day-to-day driving.
The car appears to be in good order mechanically, as the vendor has made good use of it during his ownership and finds the car has performed very much to his satisfaction, with the engine running consistently well.
He has kept the Volvo in everyday use and has even used it as a daily-driver when he has fancied a change from his usual everyday car (also a classic).
The car may have been round the clock as the odometer reading in 1981 was 51,000 miles but, as Irv Gordon will tell you, it should still be good for many thousands more.
The Volvo P1800 ranks among the very best of 1960s automotive designs, and is truly something of a cultural icon. It is really every bit as stylish and classy as any E-type, but without any of the expense or high maintenance that are typical of Jaguars. The P1800 is known not only as an extremely pretty car, but also a very solid machine with bulletproof engineering that may very well outlast its owner.
This car has proven its worth as far as we’re concerned, still seeing everyday use at 50 years old. With a sill to be replaced and a few other areas for cosmetic improvement, bidders may wish to regard it as something of a rolling project, but with a bit of care over the winter it is bound to be a joy to drive come spring and summer.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1971 Volvo P1800E
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