In the autumn of 1971, a new version of Volvo's famous 1800
model was presented. The new version was called the 1800ES. The
1800ES had a newly designed rear end compared with the previous
versions of the 1800. The roofline had been extended and the car
had a profile that was more reminiscent of an estate. The 1800ES
had increased luggage capacity to provide extra space for golfing
or hunting equipment, for example.
Mechanically, the ES was identical to the E it replaced, including
the B20 engine, a 1986 cc Bosch fuel-injected straight-four that
made 135 horsepower. Overall, the ES was very well received,
especially in the important US market, where journalists praised
the car’s practicality and loved the elegant rear glass and clever
hatch. Volvo cleverly advertised it as “sort of a flying trunk”,
and from 1972 it was the only body style offered for their gorgeous
1800. 8,078 P1800ES’s were built and, just like the coupe versions,
they make fantastic vintage automobiles that are rugged and
reliable in addition to being fun to drive and great to look
at.
New shocks all around and new exhaust system have been added.
Production of the 1800ES ended in 1973, mainly due to the
increasingly rigorous safety requirements in the USA, which would
have been too expensive to comply with.
