The Volvo P1800 keeps its position as the most sought after of the Swedish brand´s classic models. Now there are three 1800 from the last productions years for sale on Bilweb Auctions.
The most spectacular of the three is a 1972 1800 ES in Light Blue metallic, restored to mint condition. It left Gothenburg for California when it was new, but came back to its native country 26 years later.
During 2016 and 2017 it went through a ground up restoration where no expense was spared. The body was glass blasted, rust was repaired and a professional paint job done. All mechanical parts were restored in detail and all parts that was possible to exchange - to NOS or remanufactured - was replaced.
Only a year later the owner decided that he wanted more power out of the B20E engine and assigned a well known Swedish engine builder. It was bored to 2.4 litres and tuned to 240 horsepower. A more modern 5-speed gearbox was put in place, brakes and chassis updated in order to cope with the higher engine output.
The result is a very potent 1800 ES that - with the exemption of the drivetrain - has been kept original. There is nothing in the exterior of the car that givas away that this is not an ordinary 1800 ES.
Bilweb Auctions has estimated the value of the car to between 400 000 and 500 000 SEK.
To the auction
The same age, model year 1972, is the second 1800 ES in the auction that closes on 27 October.
This one is also an US car, mainly indicated by the air conditioning system that many American customers choose as an option. It came back to Sweden in 1993 and received a new paint in the original color California White. This was quite an unusual color in Sweden, white was not very popular on Volvo 1800 in the early 1970s. The Americans, however, especially in the Sunshine states, was more keen on white.
Under the hood we find the legendary 2-litre B20 in the US ”F”-version. It was adjusted to meet US emissions standards and put out 116 horsepower instead of 124 in Europe. It is adorned by a valve cover from IPD, the US Volvo tuning firm since 1963.
The car has only 83 000 kilometers on the odometer and is in a very good condition. The value is estimated to between 270 000 and 300 000 SEK.
To the auction
Car number three is an 1800 E, the more traditional coupe. E - for electronic fuel injection - arrived as model year 1970 and came with quite a few changes: new dashboard, instruments and interior - apart from the aforementioned fuel injection.
This car is just such a one, a 1970, which the Volvo connoisseur determines by the ”clover wheels” in black and silver. It was sold as new in Sweden in November 1969, painted in Steel Blue metallic.
It underwent a restoration in 1984 when it also got a new engine. It was used for long trips, but was stored in 1998 and didn’t come out until 2020. A through mechanical overhaul was carried out, well documented by the Volvo specialist assigned to the job.
Bilweb Auctions has now estimated the value of this 1800 E to between 230 000 and 250 000 SEK, the auction closing on 27 October.
