THE STORY The Volvo P1800 Coupe was manufactured during the period 1961 to 1972.
It is a 2+2 sports tourer that is powered by an inline-four 1.8 litre engine with twin SU carburettors. A 4-speed manual gearbox and front disc brakes were standard.
Initially engines were sourced from the Jensen factory in the UK, but reliability issues meant production was shifted back to Sweden. Cars denoted as P1800S were built in Sweden (“S”) and were far more reliable.
Italian designed and with cues to Ferrari with its single headlights and egg carton grill, these cars are striking, display pure lines and are easily the prettiest Volvo ever produced. They became well known after a P1800 was driven by Roger Moore in the television series “The Saint” from 1962 to 1969.
In 1998, a P1800S was certified as the highest mileage privately owned vehicle ever by the Guiness Book of World Records, exceeding over 5.23 million kilometers.
The fact that these cars were built to an exacting standard, are pleasant to drive, cheap to run and are downright beautiful has led them to them becoming a highly desirable cult car in high demand and prices continue to rise.
The huge following this car has in the classic car market means that parts are readily available in most countries, including Sweden where you can buy direct.
THE CAR Purchased by the current owner in 2016 as an honest original car, this beautiful 1966 Volvo P1800S has undergone an extensive restoration over the last 9 years.
Powered by its original 1.8 litre 4-cylinder engine, this is the dual carburettor, high compression model coupled to a four-speed gearbox with overdrive. The engine fires with use of the manual choke and revs through the range with ease. The car’s gear change is quick and effortless and the overdrive is welcome on the highway.
This car was repainted in 2022 and is finished in sparkling Red paint with new chrome bumpers, taillight bezels, license plate bezel, door handles, side mirrors and boot handle.
The interior has been fully restored including new black leather seat covers over new front seat foams, new seat webbing throughout, new door cards, kick panels, rear quarter trims, rear seat boards, new upper and lower dash pads and horn button attached to the original steering wheel. The original “hang up” seatbelts with centre ring hook are in place and a new accelerator pedal has been installed.
The car also has new carpets, leather luggage straps in the rear, gear shift bott, sun visor stalks, rear view mirror, door rubbers and weather strips. A period correct Europa Retro radio has been fitted that has hands free Bluetooth
One highlight of any P1800 is the beautifully designed dash with aluminium facia and simple co-ordinated gauge cluster. On this car all the gauges have been refurbished or replaced including the speedometer, tachometer and clock. There is a new oil pressure and temperature sender.
Mechanically this car has been treated to new shock absorbers, new clutch master and slave cylinders, new brake master cylinder, heater/fan repairs, wiring repairs, new brake shoes, overdrive repairs and a chrome rocker cover. The fuel tank has been removed and refurbished.
The car sits on beautiful wire wheels with new tyres fitted in 2018 and minimal mileage driven since that date.
Currently on South Australian club registration. The P1800S registration plate does not go with the car.
The car's data plate decodes as follows: Type 18335 HF 18 = 1800 engine 3 = B18B dual carby, high compression engine 3 = export model 5 = M41 or M40 4 speed + overdrive H = Right Hand Drive F = 1966 Ch Nr (chassis number) = 19098 Colour = 46 (Red) Upholstery 318-541 = Black
