1966 | Volvo 1800 S

• Roger Moore's choice, both as 'The Saint' and off-screen

• Recent refurbishment to a high standard

• Stunning in Black over Beige leather interior

The Volvo P1800

“I have great affection for the Volvo P1800, as, of course,
I owned one, as well as used one in the series."

This is what Sir Roger Moore answered, when asked which was his favourite movie car. Popularised by him in the 1960s TV show 'The Saint', the P1800 is easily the most legendary Volvo model and a great example of Scandinavian design.

Planned in Sweden, designed in Italy, unveiled at the car show in Brussels, built in Britain and a huge success in the United States, the Volvo P1800 is Volvo's most internationally renowned model.

It was in 1961 the P1800 entered production and it reached showrooms after four years of careful planning and development and remained in production until 1973. From a sales perspective, the P1800 played a modest role for the company, but from an image viewpoint, it played a far bigger role than any previous Volvo model. Few, if any, subsequent models have matched it image-wise.

Volvo President Gunnar Engellau recognized the importance of having a prestigious and exciting model to boost overall sales, and Volvo dealers were desperate for just such a car.

Design proposals were ordered from Italy, where Volvo consultant Helmer Petterson - who was deeply involved in the planning of the new car - helped his son Pelle secure a job at Pietro Frua thanks to Pelle's degree in industrial design from the Pratt Institute in New York. When the time came to unveil the four proposals to Volvo's board in 1957, Helmer snuck in his son Pelle's fifth design - and that was the one that everyone picked. Engellau, in particular, liked it since he had definitive views about wanting an Italian-designed car. That is precisely what he got, but it was penned by a 25-year-old native of Göteborg who would later make his mark as a boat designer and win Olympic medals in yacht racing.

The new sports car had a fixed roof, a steel body, a lot of the mechanical components lifted straight from the Amazon and the newly developed B18 engine in its 100 hp sports version when it eventually arrived in the showrooms.

At this time, Volvo did not have sufficient in-house capacity to manufacture the new model - not for pressing of body panels, nor for painting or assembly, not even on a small scale. The hunt for a suitable manufacturing partner got under way, and was led by Helmer Petterson. Volvo decided to use two British companies to build the car: Pressed Steel would build the bodies and Jensen Motors would paint and assemble the cars. Production got under way but this arrangement had its challenges. Constant problems with personnel, working methods, quality, suppliers and logistics - along with an unwillingness to deal with these issues - meant that Volvo transferred production home to Sweden as soon as it was possible.

In the spring of 1963 - after 6,000 Jensen-built cars - production of the 1800 started up in Volvo's Lundby factory. But it was not until 1969 that body pressings were transferred from Pressed Steel in Scotland to Volvo's press shop in Olofström. The move home also coincided with a name change for the P1800. First it was badged the P1800 S, later in 1963 it was known simply as the 1800 S - S standing for Sweden.

No radical changes were made to the successful exterior lines during the coupe's long life. Only details such as the grille, trim moldings, wheels and colors differentiate the various model years. From a technical viewpoint, the 1800 shadowed the development of Volvo's other models and was continuously upgraded. Disc brakes all around, more powerful engines and electronic fuel injection were the most noticeable changes. In 1971, however, a new body variant was presented - the 1800 ES - a sporting hatchback with an extended roofline and a rear estate car featuring a large glass tailgate - a GT and estate car combined. The ES was designed in Göteborg and attracted considerable attention, but it also divided opinion into two camps. Nonetheless, it has achieved cult status along with its sister coupe and many have survived to this day.

This Volvo P1800 S

The data plate in the engine compartment identifies this example to be:

• US model

• Light green metallic exterior

• Black leather interior

While we don't have any information about the car's early life, it was owned by a gentleman in Pennsylvania from 1981 to 2016, a total of 35 years! In 2016 it was bought by a renowned US classic car specialist. From there it was brought to Europe by an Austrian vintage car dealer.

During a recent part restoration of the car, it was decided to repaint it black and retrim the interior in beige leather, a stunning colour combination. The work has been done to a high standard. This is a driver quality restoration, rather than a concours rebuild. It presents very well and is ready to be used and enjoyed by a new, enthusiastic owner.

There are some deviations from originality. Apart from the external and internal colours, the grille is from a later model. Further, the car has an Edelbrock-style carburettor in place of the original twin SU.

In 2022, this P1800 S passed the strict German inspection for historic vehicles and could thus be registered there as such. This will also facilitate the registration in any EU country and is testiment to the excellent condition of the car.

Please contact us for further details. Inspection and test drive on appointment. Car is located in Central Europe.