1972 – Volvo 1800 E - Lot 28

1972 – Volvo 1800 E French registration certificate Chassis No. 184351U034256 Engine No. 496940-3775 - Volvo’s first Grand Tourer, featuring unparalleled styling and build quality - The final 1800E version—the most powerful and refined—of the P1800 coupe, built in 1971 - Original Gold Metallic finish, with black vinyl upholstery and brown carpet - French-registered car, only its fifth owner, with just 153,500 km on the odometer since it left the factory - Completely restored in 1984, with front seats replaced with 1800 ES seats and a recent service - Rare to find in such good overall condition and with a complete service history dating back to the factory! Find the complete catalog for the official “Bordeaux Classic” show auction, which includes this lot, on the Collector Cars Auction (CCA) website. The file and additional photos for each vehicle are available at the following Drive link (after requesting access): https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1wedt8vSLoV6WHbuS6nzFJF8f_l-dec5Y Estimate: 25,000 / 30,000 € In the 1950s, Volvo was a manufacturer that made reliability, durability, and safety its hallmarks. Buoyed by the success of this approach, the end of the decade prompted the manufacturer to diversify, particularly into the booming American market. An initial attempt in 1957 resulted in the P1900 Sport roadster, but production was abruptly halted due to design and quality flaws after only 67 units were built. This failed attempt, however, did not deter the Swedish automaker, which then sought to expand its lineup with a slightly sportier model. The P1800 coupe, which was based on a modified P120 Amazon, was thus geared more toward a category that was particularly in vogue at the time: the grand tourer. Volvo commissioned Ghia to design the car, with credit for the design going to its chief designer, Pietro Frua. Its sleek lines and fastback styling perfectly met the demands of the era, and the Swedish manufacturer’s boldness took everyone by surprise when the car was unveiled in 1960 at the Brussels Motor Show. Powered by a 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder Volvo engine producing 90 chevaux, the emphasis was on reliability rather than sportiness. Yet it is precisely this that cemented the P1800 coupe’s place in automotive legend. Indeed, the car is sturdy—and that’s an understatement. In 2018, a car in its original, unrestored condition managed to clock over 3 million miles! The record is now listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and has yet to be matched. This astonishing reliability was already a major selling point, and the car became a hit, boosted by its appearance in the famous TV series *The Saint*, starring Roger Moore. After an initial version assembled by Jensen in England, production was moved back to Sweden, and the P1800 became the P1800 “S.” Its power output then increased to 108 chevaux. Variants then multiplied, such as the “E,” which was powered by a 2-liter engine with Bosch electronic fuel injection producing 124 chevaux. Volvo continually modernized its beautiful coupe and equipped it with technological improvements to increase its power and comfort. In 1972, the famous “ES” version with a shooting brake body style appeared; it was produced for only two years but left a lasting impression. As a 1971 model, the car we are offering for sale is a Volvo 1800E equipped with the most advanced version of the 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 120 chevaux, which gives it pleasant, dynamic handling. It left the factory in a metallic gold paint (105), with a black faux-leather interior and brown carpets (343-768), matching the body color. This 1800E, delivered new in France by the Volvo importer Bolinders in Nanterre—most likely to a member of the staff at the British Embassy in Paris—has had only five owners since it was first registered in September 1971. All of them have clearly taken great care of it, as confirmed by its particularly comprehensive service history. Numerous maintenance invoices and various service records make it possible to trace the car’s entire history. It is worth noting that the car was restored in 1984, including a visit to the straightening shop, following several previous collisions that were apparently poorly repaired and likely related to the fairly heavy traffic in Paris. It was subsequently the subject of a comprehensive feature in Échappement magazine in December 1986. Another notable detail:

Stima:€25,000

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