No big surprise, but like many others I fell in love with the graceful lines and elegant European styling of the P1800 watching the popular 60s TV series, The Saint. The suave Roger Moore may have been the show’s star, but his white P1800 should have been credited as the co-star. At first, I couldn’t believe it was a Volvo. A Volvo? Really? You mean, the Swedish car company known for safety and reliability but rather meh styling? Located in Fieldale, Virginia, this curvaceous Cherry Red 1972 1800E is for sale here on eBay at No Reserve. As of this writing, 28 bids had pushed the top offer to $13,265.17.
The P1800 coupe hit the market in 1961 and had a 12-year run. You’re looking at the coupe’s final year since only the ES three-door “station wagon” model was offered in 1973, the last year of 1800 production. The seller shares that the car has been in storage for a while and came out of an estate but “fires right up and runs great.” It’s also described as having “older paint that still looks great, although there are a few surface bubbles under the driver’s rear quarter panel.” I’d agree, the Cherry Red paint is shiny and very presentable and compliments the lines of the 1800 very well. The bright work, trim, and glass look good as well.
Regarding the cabin, is this an inviting European touring car interior or what? I love the aged look of those bucket seats and it’s equipped with factory air conditioning that’s described as “working and blows cold.” The red carpet threw me at first, but a little online investigating found that the 1800E’s black interior came with a choice of red or black carpeting. There are aftermarket speakers in both door panels and an aftermarket radio in the dash. The seller also states there’s a crack in the dash cover, but a new one comes with the car along with a lot of other new parts.
Under the front-hinged bonnet, you’ll find an electronic fuel-injected (that’s why “E” was added to 1800) 2-liter Volvo B20 four-cylinder engine with 98,765 on the clock. When this 1800E left its Swedish factory in ’72, it was rated at 130 horsepower and road tests at the time reported 0-60 in 9.5 seconds at a top speed of 118 mph. And, good stopping power too, since 1800E’s came with 4-wheel disc brakes. In the transmission category, this 1800E comes with a popular option: a 4-speed manual with overdrive. Like the rest of this car, the engine bay is clean, tidy, and gives you the impression that this car has been taken care of the past 50 years.
Based on the photos, I’d have to agree with the seller that this 1800E is a “rock solid, good car.” And with No Reserve, the lucky next owner is going to have one cherry example of a timeless, classic European touring car in their garage.
Very nice. These P1800’s have grown on me over the years. That deep red really pops. A bargain compared to other comparable European makers. Love that oval blackout grill. It has all the right stuff.
RIP, Irv,,back in the 70’s, when I had my MGB, a friend had a car like this, only dark green. He may still have it. Since I like Volvos, it was/is without question, the neatest Volvo. It’s no wonder the late Irv Gordon put an astonishing 3 million miles on one. I think Volvo made a big deal out of it and gave him a new car for the publicity. I don’t say this about many vehicles, but everything was right on. Dependable, good heater/ac, comfy, good power and above all, the “almighty” overdrive. Somebody is going to get a sweetheart here.
Love it never seen a metallic red one most are green or blue I have owned 544 and 240 both with the b18 in them great engine this car is a steal in my opinion
I think someone really liked it, as the had has been ended early. Probably a serious buyer offered a really good price!
Yeah but 0-60 in 9.5 secs!! 🙄
I think my 84 1.6 Ford EXP was faster!!
Ha,ha,ha,ha, good heavens( wiping tear from eye) you are a member, so I’ll try and dignify that with some sort of cordial followup,,,but are you serious? A “Ford Escort” reference OF ANY KIND, has no place in a Volvo 1800 post. You can’t possibly compare Volvos best car, to a mere Ford Escort. Besides, the “gals” you got with that Escort, must have slowed it down considerable, I bet,,, :)
Thanks for making my point Howard.
A CHEAP (but pretty dependable and much less expensive to maintain) FORD ESCORT EXP is faster than a supposedly much more refined VOLVO, oh the irony!! 😆
That may be true Motorcityman but you would never look as cool or enjoy driving an EXP as much as a p1800 I guarantee
The Hell with “Cool” I got quite a few dates in that EXP that the gals thought was “So Cute” 😁
Got into a race with one of these with my 240Z one day in rural MO on a 2 lane road. Highway patrol tried to pull us both over. I stopped. The Volvo kept going! Since there was no way to around them I pulled up behind the patrol car and the officer came back and told me that since I had pulled over I could keep going, just keep it at 70! lol
Not a “P” 1800E, just an 1800E. Only the early Jensen-built cars had the “P,” which was dropped when production was moved to Sweden after about 6,000 P1800s were built.
Ok motor city man to each their own I personally would never be caught driving a ford exp but if that what got you dates more power to you
I usually got dates way before the girl saw what I was driving and personal preference would be any Volvo even the brick 240 I had briefly over an exp
I have loved these Volvos since they first came out. This is a knock out beautiful example.
I am getting a little too old (82 and wife won’t let me) to have this or a big Healy which is my first love. The sound of the Healy is unforgettable.
I love these 1800s particularly the ES ‘wagon’ version. This one looks very nice in the burgundy colour but it does raise some questions.
I can’t figure out what is happening with the trailing edges of both doors. Is there a molding there or don’t the doors fit properly? Why has the chrome molding on the sides been replaced with some form of black molding?
The air conditioning is not a factory system as stated in the text above.
These things rust while you look at them so I would be very suspicious of the ‘bubbling’ referred to in the text.
Having had two ES (Sportwagons) and currently owning two 1800S (coupes), I felt qualified to say something but then I saw this banner notice on the ad:
This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.
Oh well.
These are such solidly built cars and this example has clearly been taken care of. Nice