VOLVO P 1800 S Designed by a Swede at Frua in... Lot 55

VOLVO P 1800 S Designed by a Swede at Frua in Italy, the P1800 appeared in 1961. It is powered by a classic 90 hp, 1.8-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine. Its gearbox can benefit from an optional overdrive. It was made famous by the soap opera "The Saint", starring Sir Roger Moore. The coupé is built at Jensen in Great Britain. In 1963, production was transferred back to the parent company, becoming the P 1800 S (S for Sweden). Over the years, it gained in power and cubic capacity, with virtually no cosmetic changes. When it became 1800 E, its 2-liter engine was fitted with electronic fuel injection, boosting its power to 124 hp. Incidentally, a P 1800 holds the world mileage record for a passenger car: over 5.2 million kilometers, according to the Guinness Book of Records. In 1972, Volvo decided to modify the bodywork, transforming it into a hunting station wagon, with a rear window acting as a tailgate. Production ended in 1973, after 45,627 units (all models) had been produced. The model offered for sale was purchased in California by its current owner. It was bought second-hand from an elderly gentleman who bequeathed it in his will to a religious school he ran! It still benefits from the "moustache" bumpers and chrome side moldings emphasizing the body lines. It has 77,900 km on the clock. It has been extensively restored to qualify as a veteran vehicle. In our opinion, this is the most enviable model in production.