In the late 1950s, Volvo boss Gunnar Engellau decided that, despite of the failure of the recently canceled P1900, Volvo would build another sporty halo car. This time, however, he wanted an Italian design house to design the body, so he asked Volvo consultant Helmer Petterson to commission several styling studies, two from Ghia and two from Frua. Petterson, in what must be regarded as nothing short of nepotistic brilliance, slipped in a fifth drawing from his son Pelle, who had recently earned a degree in industrial design. Pelle’s drawing was universally chosen to be the best, and upon finding out that he had been tricked, Engellau was incensed and vowed never to give Pelle credit for the design. Well, word got out anyway, and what you see above is the result of Mr. Petterson the Younger’s fine sketch. Unlike the P1900, the 1800 enjoyed a long model run, and the 1967 model you see here, being sold on eBay in Londonderry, New Hampshire, still looked fresh ten years after Pelle penned its lines. As of now, however, nobody has bitten at the $14,000 opening bid.
Regardless of its chic looks, the 1800S (renamed from P1800 when Volvo decided to build the bodies at home in Sweden) was mechanically a Volvo through and through. The engine was the tough B18B, and with a 10:1 compression ratio, it produced 115 horsepower for 1967. The seller says that this one has the electric overdrive option, which came with steeper 4:56:1 gears out back instead of the standard 4.10s, which would certainly offer the driver a little more zip off the line and more relaxed cruising on the highway. Top speed of the 1800S was in the 105-110 mile per hour range and fuel mileage in the mid-20s was readily attainable. The seller says that the engine “runs excellent,” the car has good tires and brakes, and it has been well maintained over the last 47 years of ownership; unfortunately, it’s currently being driven a mere 50-100 miles a year, and the owner has decided to downsize.
One reason for the lack of bidder interest might be the lack of photographs; for example, the car has a “brand-new interior,” but there are only two pictures of it. The ones that are posted show one of the most beautiful color combinations one could find on a sporting Volvo: a dark green exterior and a saddle-colored interior. Happily, there is a picture of the 1800’s beautiful dashboard with its delightful turquoise-backed gauges.
More troubling is the lack of body closeups and undercarriage pictures. Being a New England car that has had “body work and some welding done on the frame” will scare some people off, especially without good pictures of what they’re getting into. I would imagine that many people who buy a car on eBay buy it sight unseen and are willing to roll the dice if the price is right. This 1800S may very well be nice enough to deserve a $14,000 price tag (or more), but it would certainly be a wise decision to check it out in person. If it does check out, you might be driving around in one of the most beautiful cars Sweden has ever produced. Thanks, Pelle!
I remember one of the first times I saw one of these in person I must’ve been in the first or second grade. I fell in love with the lines then and still do like them now. This design has aged beautifully. I totally agree with you Adam about the dashboard with the turquoise backed gauges. I’d personally want this up on a lift to see the frame and what was done, but what you can see up top ( with the limited pictures) looks nice.
Really enjoyed the ✍️ article Toth. Thank you.
These are one of the nicest cars I’ve never owned. I’d take this or the ES wagon, especially the earlier ones without the big bumpers. As to this unit, I would not drop a chunk of change on it without having it inspected first, due to potential rusty frame issues.
The P1900, I’ve never heard of it so I had to google. The P1900 might have made it a little longer except for the ridiculous front end/grill design.
That P1900 was just ugly. The design was out of date when it was built. And it was ugly.
I currently have this exact year/color car in my barn waiting for me to restore it. However, I must say that the lack of response to even a $14,000 opening bid is kinda discouraging, given that a paint job costs around $10,000 these days!??
As you all know, I’ve owned 11 of these. Well, one of which I restored and then got rear-ended/totaled in, and the subsequent 10 cars I bought as junkers and parted them out to other 1800 enthusiasts restoring other cars.
The design is classic, and it got more attention than any classic car I’ve ever owned. I recall a baby in a stroller with a binky in it’s mouth noticing the car as I passed by, and pointed to it. I laughed.
The 1800 is simply a Volvo 122 in a tight dress. Performance? Meh. Comfort? Meh. But the damn thing has fins and those green gauges. It’s awesome. The ES wagons have a cheesy interior, and the gauges were changed for the worse, with terrible contact-paper faux wood grain. The ergonomics of the 1800 aren’t all that great, but again, it’s all about looking cool, which you will in an 1800.
As mentioned, a thorough underbody inspection is mandatory in any 1800 purchase.
My cousin and her husband had a new 1967 p1800 sport convertible, red with black leather interior and top.. Only a few were converted by Volvoville dealership in long Island.. I was fortunate enough to have driven theirs on a few occasions. It was not a strong runner, a bit slow that is..!! But when a cool unique car it was.
When I see cars like this for sale makes me nervous. I have/had a good friend I lost track of, had a car exactly like this. Since we’re both in our 70s, you just never know. Last I heard he lived in Maryland, and the grace here is, his was/is a 1970 and F.I. He had that car when I had my MGB,( mid 70s) so if alive, I know he’d never sell it. Perhaps a bit partial, but the 1800 has got to be the best enclosed sports car, ever. I realize, that’s a hefty claim, but the late Irv Gordon was no schmoe, and put an astonishing 3.2 million miles on one. That’s enough credible proof for me.
Spoke to Irv on a few occasions. Volvo open houses in Rock Leigh NJ, Volvo HQ, and a Swedish car meet in Brookline mass. Really nice guy, told him about my cousins convertible, he got his at the same dealership. Said he had wanted the vert but his teacher salary wouldn’t permit it… think he did okay with his coupe. Every million he hit Volvo would give him a new car, first was in 1987 and he got a new 744..
The P1800 is one of those designs that are classic and never get old as time progresses, like the Alfa Guila and was equally appealing when they made a wagon version.
In the UK ( and maybe abroad too) this lovely car got a big boost as the chariot of choice for Simon Templar ,played by future Bond Roger Moore,with his UK license plat ST 1.As a teen I remember watching it and lusting after the car..and the ladies on the show.I love the ES even more (Moore?).
When the P 1800 first came out, I was working at Car and Driver, and Volvo loaned me one that I picked up in Copenhagen, drove to the Gran Prix of Monaco, and dropped it in Paris.
The car had virtually no ventilation and was a real sweat box. My recommendation to Volvo was to get rid of the tractor engine and drop in a Ford Flathead, as it was vastly under powered.
Probably the best looking car Volvo ever produced.
Pick up a new car in Europe, drive it to Monaco for the GP. Makes me want to ask how much did you have to pay CD for that job? Nice!
You know you want one, here’s one in Virginia
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1091727535411005
You don’t want that one!
That car would look great with the right color on it
I looked at the photos of the rust repairs. It looks like much welding was omitted.
These was a yellow 1800E for sale near Road America a couple of years ago. It had so much bondo, I wondered what it was like under the paint.
I was shocked at the $26k asking and heard it sold for $16k.