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Volvo P1800 - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive

Volvo P1800 - 360 Interactive

Volvo P1800 - Key Specifications

Volvo P1800 Specifications

Specification	Details
Type	Classic Sports Coupe
Production Years	1961–1973
Built At	Gothenburg, Sweden / Jensen Motors, UK (early)
Engine	1.8L or 2.0L Inline-4 (B18/B20)
Position	Front-Engine, Longitudinal
Aspiration	Naturally Aspirated
Block Material	Cast Iron
Valvetrain	OHV, 2 Valves per Cylinder
Fuel Feed	Twin SU or Zenith-Stromberg Carburetors / Bosch Fuel Injection (later)
Displacement	1778–1986 cc / 108.5–121.2 cu in
Power	100–130 hp @ 5500–6000 rpm (depending on model)
Specific Output	Up to 65.4 hp per liter
Torque	150–170 Nm / 111–125 lb-ft
Top Speed	170–190 km/h / 106–118 mph
0 – 60 mph	9.5 – 12 seconds
0 – 100 km/h	10 – 13 seconds
Body / Frame	Steel Unibody Coupe
Driven Wheels	RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive)
Wheel Type	15" Steel Wheels with Hubcaps
Front Tires	165 SR15
Rear Tires	165 SR15
Front Brakes	Disc Brakes
Rear Brakes	Drum Brakes (early) / Disc Brakes (later)
Front Wheels	15 x 5.0 in
Rear Wheels	15 x 5.0 in
Front Suspension	Independent with Coil Springs and Anti-Roll Bar
Rear Suspension	Live Axle with Coil Springs and Trailing Arms
Curb Weight	1050–1120 kg / 2315–2469 lbs
Weight Distribution	Front ~53% / Rear ~47%
Wheelbase	2450 mm / 96.5 in
Length	4400 mm / 173.2 in
Width	1600 mm / 63.0 in
Height	1280 mm / 50.4 in
Transmission	4-Speed Manual with Optional Overdrive / 3-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy (Combined)	8.5–10.0 L/100 km / 23–28 mpg (US)
Fuel Capacity	47 liters / 12.4 gallons

Some Interesting Volvo P1800 Facts

Famous as “The Saint’s” Car The Volvo P1800 gained global fame as Simon Templar’s car in The Saint, played by Roger Moore in the 1960s TV series. This cemented the P1800’s status as a pop culture icon.

Not Your Typical Boxy Volvo Unlike the more practical and square Volvos of its era, the P1800 featured sleek, Italian-inspired lines, with a long hood, curved roof, and elegant chrome details — a major style departure.

Originally Designed by Pelle Petterson at Frua Though often credited to Italian design house Frua, the P1800 was actually styled by Swedish designer Pelle Petterson, working under Carrozzeria Frua, part of the Ghia design group.

Early Models Built in the UK by Jensen The first P1800s (1961–1963) were assembled by Jensen Motors in England, using Volvo-supplied parts — a rare example of Swedish-British collaboration.

One of the Most Durable Cars Ever Made The world’s highest-mileage car is a 1966 Volvo 1800S owned by Irv Gordon, which logged over 3.2 million miles (5.1 million km) — officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.

Available as Coupe and Sport Wagon (P1800ES) In 1972, Volvo introduced the P1800ES, a sport wagon version with a distinctive glass tailgate — now considered one of the most collectible and quirky vintage Volvos.

Reliable and Robust Performance The car used Volvo’s B18 and later B20 four-cylinder engines, known for their durability. With around 100–130 horsepower, the P1800 offered solid performance for a GT car of its time.

Built for Export and Global Markets The P1800 was aimed at international buyers, especially in the U.S. market, where its style and reliability gave it a loyal following during the 1960s and early ’70s.

Highly Detailed Interior with GT Feel Despite being a Volvo, the P1800 had a driver-focused, sporty interior with bucket seats, chrome trim, wooden steering wheels, and full instrumentation — giving it a true grand touring vibe.

Now a Beloved Vintage Classic Thanks to its unique styling, celebrity status, and reliability, the P1800 is now a sought-after collector car, with restored examples appreciating steadily in value.

Volvo P1800 - Price

The Volvo P1800 is the most stylish Swedish car ever built—a 2+2 coupe/estate with Italian design by Pietro Frua, bulletproof mechanics, and "Saint" TV fame. More reliable than an E-Type and rarer than a 911, it’s a rising star among 1960s classics.

1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)

Standard P1800 (1.8L B18, 100–120hp)

Driver-Quality (Restored, 100,000+ km): €25,000 – €40,000(Solid runner, minor patina, older paint.)

Show-Quality (Concours-ready): €50,000 – €80,000(Frame-off restoration, numbers-matching.)

Barn Find/Project: €8,000 – €20,000(Complete but needs full resto—check for rust!)

Special Versions

P1800E (1970–1972, Fuel Injection): +€5,000(More power, rarer.)

P1800ES "Shooting Brake" (1972–1973): €60,000 – €100,000+(Ultra-desirable wagon.)

Jensen-Built (1961–1963): +10% Premium(Early UK-made models.)

2. Key Factors Affecting Value

✅ Provenance & Authenticity

"Saint" TV connection adds +€5,000–10,000 (white with gold wheels).

Matching-numbers B18/B20 engine is critical for top-tier sales.

✅ Options That Matter

Overdrive: +€3,000(Essential for highway cruising.)

Factory Webasto Sunroof: +€2,500(Rare and stylish.)

Original Tool Kit/Jack: +€1,000

✅ Mileage Sensitivity

Less important than condition—but under 150,000 km preferred.

Over 300,000 km? Verify engine rebuild history (€5k+ job).

⚠️ Critical Watch-Outs

Rust in: Floor pans Windshield frame Rear wheel arches(Repairs can hit €15k+.)

Non-original engines(B20 swaps are common but hurt value.)

3. Where to Buy in the EU?

Official Channels:

Volvo Museum Certified (Sweden)(Rare—mostly for ES models.)

Specialists (e.g., Classic Volvo Restoration, Netherlands)

Private Sales:

Mobile.de / Classic Trader(Filter for "rust-free".)

Volvo P1800 Enthusiast Clubs(Best for unmolested cars.)

Pro Tip: The ES Shooting Brake is the best investment—prices have doubled since 2015.

4. Market Trends

📈 Steady Appreciation

+7–10% annually since 2020(Outpacing 140/164 classics.)

ES models now €80k+ for concours examples.

⚠️ Trap Warning

"Restored" cars with hidden rust(Check inner sills with an endoscope!)

Fake "Saint" replicas(Verify VIN with Volvo archives.)

5. Must-Do Checks

🔧 Mechanical:

B18/B20 Oil Pressure(Should be 40+ psi at idle—low = worn bearings.)

4-Speed Gearbox Syncros(Crunchy 2nd gear = €2k rebuild.)

📄 Paperwork:

Volvo Heritage Certificate(Details factory spec.)

Swedish/Dutch/German Registration(Avoid shady imports.)