In the 1950s, Volvo flirted with a sports car with the fiberglass P1900, but quality was miserable as were the driving dynamics of the car. Volvo took another stab at a sporty car with the P1800 of 1961.
Design of the car was until very recently attributed to Frua of Italy, but in reality, it was a family affair. The car at least looked Italian, very much a product of the 1950s rather than the 1960s with neat tail fins and a short greenhouse with a tall beltline. Early cars were assembled by Jensen in West Bromwich, England.
Quality of the Jensen-built cars was, however, not up to Volvo’s standards (and the cars were notoriously rust-prone) so production was shifted to Volvo’s Gothenburg plant in Sweden in 1963 and the model name transitioned from P1800 to 1800S.
Today, parts support for the 1800s remains quite good (with trim items for the early cars being an exception), and several specialists are available to take good care of owners. And while the B18 and B20 engines are nearly unburstable, bodies rust with alacrity, which means it is usually more cost effective and gratifying to pay a premium for a nice example than to buy a project with the aim of bringing it up to snuff.
This US example with US title has the preferable gearbox with overdrive function. It is the first production year that the P1800 S was manufactured in Sweden (hence the S in the name).
The car has also the cow-horn bumpers, original manuals. The renovation of the car took place in 2008 and the last service in 2019. The car has a new radiator, clutch, brake booster, heating fan, brake hoses and front pads.
There is no corrosion, only minor imperfections on the paint (stone-chips). Magnet inspection eliminates the presence of a filler layer under the paint. Chrome and rubber seals in good condition. Technically, it is in good daily-driving condition. Defective capillary thermometers.
There is also one set of original seats for the car.
Production date | 1964 |
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Body Type | Coupe |
Engine | 1.778 ccm, 108 PS, I4 |
transmission | Manual |
Steering | Left Hand Drive |
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Layout | Rear Wheel Drive |
Color - exterior | White |
Color - interior | Red |
Miles/Kilometers shown | 79.419 mls |
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Chassis / VIN | 12260 |
Location - Country | Czech Rep. |
Location - City | Hradec Kralove |
Features: Engine Location : Front; Drive Type : Rear Wheel; Body / Chassis : Welded Steel Unibody; Weight : 2320 lbs | 1052.334 kg; Performance: 0-60 mph : 11.2 seconds; Top Speed : 107 mph | 172.163 km/h; Power: Inline 4 | B18D; Displacement : 1778 cc | 108.5 cu in. | 1.8 L.; Power : 108 BHP (79.488 KW) @ 5800 RPM; Torque : 110 Ft-Lbs (149 NM) @ 4000 RPM; Transmission: 4 Manual