SOLD!
 
Rarely seen on Australian roads, this stunning early Jensen built Volvo is ready to be enjoyed by its next custodian.
 
As a successor to the failed P1900 sports car, the P1800 was marketed as a stylish 2+2 touring coupe that gained popularity after staring in the hit TV series ‘The Saint’. The initial concept of the P1800 was to be based on the current Volvo Amazon 120 platform but with the body work styled in Italy preferably by Ghia. Pelle Patterson, a Swede, was working under tutelage of Pietro Frua at the time submitted his design proposal among others to Volvo under Ghia’s name. Pelle’s design was chosen unknowingly by the Volvo board assuming that it was of Italian design. Rather awkwardly, when it was revealed that Pelle was the designer, Gunnar Engellau (the managing director of Volvo) stated flatly that Pelle would not be acknowledged as the designer of the car. Pelle’s role as the designer of the vehicle would not be publicly acknowledged until 2009.
 
As Volvo’s production plants in Sweden were at full tilt producing the 122S, Volvo had to turn to outside help. Initially Karmann was the preferred choice however this did not eventuate as Volkswagen forbade Karmann from producing the P1800 for fears that it would too closely compete with their current Karmann made models (both the Karmann Ghia and Beetle Karmann convertible). Eventually Volvo turned to Jensen who were already manufacturing many different English vehicles at the time. An agreement was reached and approximately 6,000 vehicles were produced before manufacturing was transferred to Volvo’s Lundby, Gothenburg facility in Sweden.
 
This P1800 is one of the first 6,000 vehicles produced by Jensen Motors making it prized by Volvo collectors. It has been meticulously restored in 2017 to its current condition in original gleaming white with red leather interior presenting as near concourse condition and has covered barely any millage since. A full restoration file including photos during the restoration accompanies the vehicle. The 1.8 litre 4 cylinder B18 motor provides swift acceleration mated to a 4 speed manual gearbox with the optional overdrive on 5th.
 
This P1800 presents a highlight in Volvo’s history now looking for a new custodian.
 
Vehicle comes with RWC. 
 
Walk Around Video