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Volvo Sport (P1900) B14A — 1957

A car with iconic status, ready for a new owner and new adventures. Much of it appears to be original, though the bodywork and paint have likely been updated at some point over the years. Regardless, it’s a delightful Volvo with a genuine 1950s aura.

Tore Thallaug
Inspector
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Robin Gidebrant
Case manager
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"A car that appears to be largely in original condition, though naturally some things have been attended to over the years. Recently, it has been stored in a garage and now awaits an inspection and service to once again perform at its best for a new owner."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
20 NOV 10:00
400 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
18894
KNIVSTA
ESTIMATED VALUE
RESERVE PRICE
900 - 1 050 000 SEK
Not reached
PLACE YOUR BID (MINIMUM 405 000 SEK)
Non deductable VAT
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Auction fee: 5% or min. 2900 SEK (incl VAT)
BID HISTORY
1866
15 NOV 17:29
400 000 SEK
31525
14 NOV 22:46
305 000 SEK
31525
14 NOV 22:45
300 000 SEK
2024
14 NOV 17:05
250 000 SEK
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Tore Thallaug
Inspector
Send message
Robin Gidebrant
Case manager
Send message

"A car that appears to be largely in original condition, though naturally some things have been attended to over the years. Recently, it has been stored in a garage and now awaits an inspection and service to once again perform at its best for a new owner."

Description

This car, number 15 of 67, was reported as completed at the Lundby factory on August 30, 1956. Four months later, on New Year’s Eve, it was delivered to the “Bollnäs district,” according to Volvo’s archives. It was then registered for road use on January 31, 1957.

In December 1975, a technical student and motoring enthusiast acquired the car — along with another Volvo Sport — from a dealership in Östersund. He carried out some work on the chassis and mechanical components and eventually sold it in March 1984. At that time, the car was reportedly complete but in need of cosmetic attention. The new owner in Småland went on to complete the restoration. Originally, the car was finished in light blue, paint code 29, though exactly when it was repainted remains unclear. Otherwise, most of the car appears to remain in original specification.

On April 15, 1994, a car enthusiast from Uppsala — who owned several classic Volvos — became the new owner. He initially participated frequently in various classic car events and Volvo gatherings, but in recent years the car has spent most of its time in the garage. It is now being sold by his daughter. The car was inspected in 2016 and, according to current regulations, is now exempt from further inspections. The odometer reading was 8510 km at that time and now shows 8720 km.

Carfaxrapport Free history (18)

Technical data

  • Year
    1957/1957 
  • Registration date
    1957-01-31 
  • Mileage
    8723 km 
  • Registration Number
    EMT781 
  • Chassis Number
    15 
  • Kw / hp
    51 / 69 
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Vinyl 
  • Colour
    White 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    Starts easily and runs smoothly. Performance improved after some running time. It has only been test-driven briefly around the garage in a closed area. Steering, clutch, gear shifting, and brakes all function well. It has not been inspected on a lift, but from what could be seen, the vital components and details appear to be in good condition.

  • Interior condition:

    Much of the interior is in original condition, featuring red upholstery number 105. The seats, door panels, and carpets are in good condition with a nice patina from use. Rubber floor mats are fitted. The steering wheel, controls, dashboard, and gauges are all in fine condition. Most functions appear to work as intended, though an inspection is recommended.

  • Exterior condition:

    Nice body and paintwork, likely refurbished at some point. Glass, brightwork, trim, emblems, and lighting components are in good condition considering the car’s age, though one low beam is not functioning. Some wear is visible at the lower front edge under the nose. There is a small area of lifting at the bottom of the windshield frame on the driver’s side. The soft top shows use and patina but operates well and is easy to handle. Wheels are in good condition with original chrome and decent tires, though their age is unknown. Engine bay and luggage compartment are in good condition for their age.

  • General condition:

    Here is a car in genuinely original condition, with the mechanical components in good working order. However, as with any vehicle that has spent some time in storage in recent years, a thorough check-up is recommended. To call this part of Swedish motoring and Volvo history is an understatement. It is often the models and versions that had a turbulent existence in their day that later become true collector’s items. The Volvo Sport P1900 certainly fits that description and is today a highly sought-after car. What was intended to be a dream car and an image booster for Volvo in the 1950s did not succeed at the time — but today, it enjoys undeniable iconic status.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Avst 2025-10-07
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1957-01-09 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1957-01-31
Senast godkända besiktning: 2018-05-22
Besiktningsbefriad: Ja
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 8

Facts about the model

In the early 1950s, Volvo’s plans to develop a sports car began to take shape. The company observed how lively British sports cars were selling well and giving their manufacturers a sporty image. When Assar Gabrielsson, during a trip to the United States, saw the new Chevrolet Corvette with its fiberglass body, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place — Volvo could surely create something similar.

Contact was made with the fiberglass manufacturer Glasspar in California, and design and bodywork development started quickly. Back in Sweden, Volvo’s design department — under the direction of Jan Willsgård — took over. Around twenty bodies were shipped from the U.S. before production shifted entirely to Sweden. Volvo developed a new, specially designed tubular steel chassis featuring strong crossmembers, outer side rails, and diagonal bracing. Under the hood sat a tried-and-tested engine: the B14A sports engine with twin carburetors, producing 70 hp at 5,500 rpm. It suited the lightweight body well, though the three-speed gearbox was perhaps not ideal for a sports car.

Three pre-production cars were built and shown around Sweden in 1954–55 under the name Volvo Sport P1900. These were not yet ready for series production — they lacked a convertible top, though a hardtop was fitted. After extensive test driving and various modifications, production began in the spring of 1956. That year, 44 cars were reportedly produced, and the following year only 23 more. In total, 67 production cars and four prototypes were built.

The original plan was for the Volvo Sport to be sold mainly for export, but just over half remained in Sweden. Today, around 25 cars are believed to survive in the country.

When Assar Gabrielsson retired in 1956, he was succeeded by Gunnar Engellau, formerly head of Volvo Flygmotor (Volvo Aero). Engellau took a Volvo Sport out for a weekend test drive to evaluate it. His verdict was harsh — he concluded that it did not meet Volvo’s standards of quality. It was also expensive to produce and an odd fit in Volvo’s lineup. The project was abruptly terminated, and the last car was built on May 21, 1957.

Although it may have been seen as a failure at the time, the Volvo Sport can be regarded as Volvo’s first tentative step into the world of sporty and grand touring cars — a beginning that would later lead to the far more successful P1800 and other performance-oriented models from the brand.

Location and viewing Information

Location: Knivsta

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2025-12-04.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

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