2024-01-10 09:51:49
The Volvo P1800 is probably the most iconic model in the Scandinavian manufacturer’s entire history. It was presented in Brussels in 1960, at the motor show. A gleaming coupe with sculptural lines designed by Pietro Frua, to whom we also owe the Renault Florida, which attracts all eyes and immediately causes a sensation.
With the P1800, Volvo intends to dust off its image by offering a younger and sportier vehicle. However, the first version must deal with a 4-cylinder gasoline unit which only develops 100 hp. Nothing spectacular. But, the months passed and Volvo ended up reviewing the mechanics, gradually increasing its power until it reached 135 hp thanks to a 2-liter injection engine. And if the competition does better in terms of power, Volvo will still manage to remain at the top in terms of reliability. The P1800 indeed turns out to be indestructible!
The model will benefit from unexpected international publicity when the fictional character Simon Templar, alias The Saintplayed on television by Roger Moore, will be his main mount for 118 episodes.
A blue-blooded Swede
At its launch, the Scandinavian coupe was manufactured at Jensen Motors in West Bromwich, England. The assembly quality is nevertheless not there and Volvo decides to repatriate production of the model to Sweden. The P1800 then becomes P1800 S, this new letter evoking the word Sweden (Sweden in Swedish). It is one of these copies which is today put on sale by the platform Bilweb. A car that is out of the ordinary since it belonged to King Charles XVI Gustav of Sweden, who received it in 1966 on the occasion of his 20th birthday.
Although it quickly changed hands (from 1968), this example has always been perfectly maintained and has only 17,300 km on the odometer. In fact, only a new coat of paint was applied in the early 1980s but everything else is original! On sale since January 4, the model should go for a little over €60,000.
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About the author: Sepulchre Pierre-Benoit Automotive, men’s cosmetics, travel and even hi-tech, Pierre-Benoît Sepulchre has written the lifestyle sections of several Belgian magazines and Vroom news since 2013.
A city dweller, he is passionate about new mobility solutions but never says no to a beautiful vintage coupe.
Photos ©: Bilweb Auctions.
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#sale #Volvo #P1800S #royal