For Sale: 1970 Volvo P1800E in Concord, North Carolina

The Volvo P1800E coupe has remained high collector's desirability lists because it is that rare vehicle that is both distinctly styled and timelessly European. And this 1970 coupe has been treated with the right care, including a sleek respray, high-quality leather interior, and a fresh rebuild on the original motor.

The reason the P1800 is so coveted is it carries a higher level of craftsmanship. The front end has an attractive presence that could have come from Italian design houses like Vignale or Ghia. You can also see the quality in the profile. The sheetmetal has a curve right in the door that flows directly into a hint of tailfin. That's the kind of expensive and time-consuming manufacturing that could only come from choosing artistry over efficiency. The dark green paint was given a professional respray in 2011, and when you pay for quality, the attractiveness lasts. That's why you have such a nice gloss to highlight the Volvo's unique shape. Plus, bright chrome bumpers, complete badging, and the correct-style sport wheels all make for a standout vintage total package.

The tan interior gives this a timeless color combo against the exterior paint, and the leather has the supple look and feel of a more recent investment. The front bucket seats not only look good, but they also retain the factory-style thigh bolstering. That might seem like a small detail, but it was proof that Volvo wanted you to use these for comfortable grand touring. When you slip behind the three-spoke steering wheel, you instantly understand why there are people who are fanatical about their Volvos. It mixes safe and sturdy construction with European elegance and performance. You see it in the complete set of Smiths gauges and feel it in the crisp action of the gearstick. The full interior package feels very detail-oriented. So it combines practical pieces, like the three-point seatbelts (a Volvo safety invention) to the factory AM/FM radio that's still there for display.

Under the hood is the numbers-matching 2.0-liter motor. It has a fantastic presentation with its red block and bright head cover that you can instantly tell this has been treated well since day one. In fact, this motor has been rebuilt only about 2k miles ago. It even has upgrades like a metal timing gear versus the original fiber, an electronic fuel pump, and electronic ignition. And 1970 was the first year to offer fuel injection, which was the most potent powerhouse of the P1800 series. So you have a strong-running heart at the center of this great grand touring machine. This kind of setup means the engine is built for versatility instead of all-out speed, and the suspension is tuned for a better ride than most vintage sports cars you know. The four-speed manual transmission shifts smooth as it gives you frim control over the motor. And the clean undercarriage photos reveal more desirable features, like the new rear end seal, Bilstein shocks, and four-wheel power disc brakes (a factory upgrade debuting in 1970.)

The sale comes complete with service manuals. This is the right-year car that has also been treated with all the right care and investments. So you know this makes for an awesome classic you need to have in your garage. Call now!