Vehicle Description
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