The Volvo P1800 is a 2+2, front-engine, rear-drive sports car manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars as a coupe (1961– 1973) and shooting-brake(1972– 1973) as the Volvo P1800, the 1800S, 1800E, and 1800ES.
The P1800 included styling by Pietro Frua and mechanicals got from Volvo’s Amazon/122 series. Promoted as a stylish touring car rather than a sports car, the car turned out to be generally known when driven by Roger Moore in the hit TV series The Saint which was broadcast from 1962-1969.
In 1998, the 1800S was certified as the highest mileage private vehicle driven by the original owner in non-business benefit — having exceeded three million miles (more than 4.8 million km) starting in 2013.
Volvo P1800
The engine was the B18 (B for the Swedish word for gas: Bensin; 18 for 1800 cc uprooting) with double SU carburetors, creating 100 hp (75 kW). This variation (named B18B) had a higher compression ratio than the slightly less powerful twin-carb B18D used in the contemporary Amazon 122S, as well as a different camshaft. The ‘new’ B18 was really created from the current B36 V8 engine utilized as a part of Volvo trucks at the time.
This cut production costs, as well as furnishing the P1800 with a strong engine boasting five main crankshaft bearings. The B18 was coordinated with the new and more hearty M40 manual gearbox through 1963. From 1963 to 1972 the M41 gearbox with electrically actuated Laycock de Normanville overdrive was a popular option. Two overdrive types were utilized, the D-Type through 1969, and the J-type through 1973.
The 1800S
As time progressed, Jensen had issues with quality control, so the contract was finished ahead of schedule after 6,000 cars had been assembled. In 1963 creation was moved to Volvo’s Lundby Plant in Gothenburg and the car’s name was changed to 1800S (S remaining for Sverige, or in English: Sweden). The engine was enhanced with an extra 8 hp (6 kW).
In 1966 the four-cylinder engine was updated to 115bhp (85 kW). The top speed was 175 km/h (109 mph). In 1969 the B18 engine was supplanted with the 2-liter B20B variation of the B20 giving 118 bhp (87 kW), however, it kept the designation the 1800S.
1800E
In 1970 various changes accompanied the fuel-infused 1800E, which had the B20E motor with Bosch D-Jetronic fuel infusion and an updated camshaft, and created 130 bhp (97 kW)without sacrificing fuel economy. The top speed was around 190 km/h (118 mph) and increasing speed from 0– 100 km/h (0– 62.1 mph) took 9.5 seconds. Furthermore, the 1970 model was the initial 1800 with four-wheel plate brakes; until then the 1800 arrangement had front circles and back drums.
1800ES
Volvo presented its last P1800 variation, the 1800ES, in 1972 as a two-door station wagon with a frameless, all-glass back end. The last outline was picked after two models had been worked by Sergio Coggiola and Pietro Frua. Frua’s model, Raketen (“the Rocket”, on the right), is situated in the Volvo Museum.
Both Italian prototypes were considered too futuristic, and instead in-house designer Jan Wilsgaard’s proposal, the Beach Car, was accepted. The ES engine was minimized to 125 bhp (92 kW) by reducing the compression ratio with a thicker head gasket (engine variant B20F); although maximum power was slightly down the engine was less “peaky” and the car’s on-the-road performance was actually improved.
Influence
The all-glass rear hatch of the ES model proved up being extremely mainstream with future Volvo designers. Similar designs were utilized on the Volvo 480, on multiple concept cars, and on the Volvo C30.
VITAL STATISTICS
Volvo 1800E
| Engine | 1986cc/4-cyl/OHV |
| Power (bhp@rpm) | 130bhp@6000rpm |
| Torque (lb ft@rpm) | 130lb ft@3500rpm |
| Top speed | 115mph |
| 0-60mph | 9sec |
| Consumption | 25mpg |
| Gearbox | 4-spd manual + Overdrive |
For the last model year, 1973, just the 1800ES wagon was created. Total production of the 1800 line from 1961 through 1973 was 47,492 units. Production finished on June 27, 1973, although Volvo was in transactions with Coggiola concerning a conceivable P1800ESC.
Volvo never produced a convertible version of 1800, but such cars were delivered in the aftermarket most notably by Volvoville of New York, who offered them through their dealership after locally adjusting stock coupes.
In Sweden the P1800ES was nicknamed Fiskbilen (The Fish van); in Germany and Switzerland, it was nicknamed Schneewittchensarg (Snow White’s casket), because of the all-glass rear hatch.