Volvo established its reputation by producing vehicles with robust mechanical components and a strong focus on safety. However, the company let its hair down in 1961 when it released the sporty P1800. Several updates later, the 1800ES hit the market in 1972. Our feature Wagon left the factory in 1973 and recently emerged after several decades in storage. The seller revived this Swedish classic, ready for it to find the new home it richly deserves. They have listed the Volvo here on Facebook Marketplace in Concord, California. They set their price for this promising project at $8,888.

After years of producing reliable family transport, Volvo began developing the original P1800 as a sports car in 1957 for a projected 1961 release. It realized that it lacked the expertise to actually build its latest offering, signing a contract with Jensen Motors to produce 10,000 vehicles at its factory located in West Bromwich, England. What should have been a match made in heaven proved to be anything but, with Jensen’s quality control standards falling well below Volvo’s expectations. The partnership was dissolved after the build total reached 6,000, with Volvo electing to bring the project “in-house.” The range evolved slowly until 1972, when the 1800ES was released as a “shooting brake” variant. Its most distinctive feature was its all-glass tailgate, which opened into an impressive luggage area. The first owner ordered our feature Volvo in 1973, selecting Sun Yellow paint to cloak its exterior. It has spent its life in California, allowing it to avoid significant rust problems. I can’t spot any areas of concern, and if the floors and front rockers are sound, this should be a winner. However, this photo also reveals the car’s only real shortcoming, with the driver’s side rear quarter panel sporting a large dent following a construction accident. Only an in-person inspection will reveal whether the problem is repairable or if the buyer faces the prospect of panel replacement. The rest of the exterior generally looks respectable, with the same true of the trim and glass.

Volvo adopted a “one size fits all” approach when selecting the engine that it slotted under the hood of the 1800ES. Buyers received the 1,986cc fuel-injected B20F four that produced, according to that year’s Sales Brochure, 112hp and 115 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner teamed the four with the optional three-speed Borg Warner automatic transmission, making the 1800ES the ideal weapon for tackling heavy city traffic. The seller states that this gem was placed into storage in 1993, only recently emerging from hiding. They revived the engine by replacing the oil, filters, plugs, fuel tank, and rear tires. The Volvo runs and drives okay, but will require additional TLC and a thorough inspection before being considered genuinely roadworthy.

This Volvo’s interior doesn’t make the best first impression, courtesy of the deteriorating front seatcovers and aging carpet. However, we must look beyond those shortcomings to discover its true strength. Critically, both the upper and lower dashpads haven’t succumbed to the Californian sun, which is important when we consider how expensive replacement pads are. A carpet set will lighten the buyer’s wallet by around $400, and a set of slipcovers would hide the front seat issues if the new owner doesn’t wish to splash $475 on a set of replacement covers in the correct color and material. There are no visible aftermarket additions, with this Volvo scoring a factory radio and relatively rare air conditioning.

The 1800ES proved to be a case of “too little, too late” for the badge. Volvo struggled to justify the cost of performing the updates required to meet evolving safety and emission regulations, with production ending in 1973 after only 8,077 examples left the factory. That makes them rare from a big-picture perspective, which could justify the effort and expense required to return this vehicle to its former glory. The marque enjoys a dedicated following in the classic community, and it will be fascinating to discover whether we have readers who harbor those feelings and are willing to return this Swedish gem to its rightful place on our roads.