For Sale at Auction: 1962 Volvo P1800E in Amelia Island, Florida

Chassis No. 4451
Engine No. 4169

Launched at the Brussels Motor Show in 1961, the Volvo P 1800 captured the attention of many with a stylish design featuring a sleek curvaceous body with distinctive tailfins and attractive performance capabilities. Selected as the car of choice for Roger Moore in the popular television series "The Saint," his character Simon Templar was often seen driving a P 1800 which significantly boosted the car's popularity. Production continued until 1973 with various changes made over the years. Volvo streamlined the process with a move to Sweden away from the largely hand-assembled British Jensen-built cars. While the build process was modernized, these early hand-built examples remain favored by enthusiasts due to many small details that were lost when Swedish efficiency took hold.

With a production date of 31 August 1962, this P 1800 is among very few highly sought-after early Jensen-built models. Complete with notable features of the hand-built models, this example also includes one-year-only option-specific Robergel wire wheels with era-appropriate Blockley tires, distinctive "bullhorn" front bumper, elaborate egg-crate grille and cowl vent, white front indicator lenses, and elegant C-pillar Volvo script. The differences on the Jensen cars are not just confined to the exterior of the car with chrome-plated brass brightwork featured inside and out on the early examples. Many of these intricate, hand-installed pieces, such as the plated solid brass strips on the door panels, were replaced in favor of a pre-formed plastic later in production. Also of note, this example features the early individual rear jump seats with a chrome plated brass trim surround that were later replaced by a simple bench seat, yet another distinguishing characteristic of the early hand-assembled Jensen built P 1800s.

The car's rich history began in southern California, where it would remain under the original owner and their family's care until 2020. After being stored for many decades, it was later discovered on a property in Des Moines, Iowa, leading to a comprehensive restoration soon after. Documented extensively with photographs, this restoration saw this P 1800 returned to its original #71 Dark Metallic Grey over a #301 Red interior completed by marque specialist "Vintage Metal Services" of Tucson, AZ. Following restoration, this P 1800 would earn awards at many prestigious Concours d'Elegance events among fierce competition, each award serving as a testament to the restoration's quality. Accompanied by a factory-correct tool kit, owner's and warranty booklets, service manual, period paraphernalia, and date coded steel wheels/w Pirelli Cinturato CA67 tires and Turbine wheel covers, this exceedingly elegant and timeless P 1800 equipped with the number's matching engine as confirmed by the P 1800 Registry stands as one of the most impeccable examples available, a true jewel for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Please note this vehicle is titled as model year 1963