Industry News
Australian One-Owner P1800 up for Auction
By source: Shannons
Jul 3, 2007, 13:38

Remember when everyone wanted to drive a Volvo? Way back in the 1960s, ‘cool’ was spelt ‘P1800’.
A young Roger Moore drove one of the slinky Swedish coupes in his small-screen role as the suave Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint and Volvo sold a shipload of them.

Thanks to their excellent handling and robust construction, Volvos were regular rally winners at the time and were considered serious drivers’ cars.

The stylish P1800 was based on the rugged running gear of the 120 Amazon clothed in sleek sports coupe bodywork designed by the Italian coachbuilder Frua, while its 1800cc four cylinder engine developed a then-strong 75kW (100HP). It remained in production from September 1960 until 1973, with the Volvo P1800ES Sportwagon becoming its brief, final iteration.

Now Shannons have what they believe to be one of the best, unrestored P1800 coupes in the world coming up at their Sydney Winter Auction on Monday July 23.

It has a dream Curriculum Volvo. The white 1963 example has had one careful owner from new and was one of the earliest examples to reach Australia in 1963.



According to Shannons, the car has clearly been cherished all its life and remains in exceptionally original, remarkably-untouched condition today, with the only non-original items being an aftermarket temperature gauge and an immobiliser.

The body is also said to be completely straight with unmarked paint, while the chrome is also excellent. And Shannons vouch that the Volvo is equally strong mechanically, with nothing for the purchaser to spend.

The P1800 is being sold registered in New South Wales (with its original number plates included) and the new owner will inherit a file of receipts, the original AWA radio manual, its Smiths air conditioning manual, P1800 instruction book, workshop manual and service booklet.

Because of its exceptional provenance, Shannons are quoting a guiding range of $15,000-$20,000.

Other lots sure to draw a crowd at Shannons Winter Action are a gym-load of Ford Muscle cars. They include a 1969 Ford Falcon XW GT-HO 'Phase 1', a 1968 Ford XT Falcon GT, a 1978 Ford XC Cobra 351 Hardtop and two iconic Mustangs – a genuine, fully-restored 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Fastback Coupe and a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback 'Eleanor Replica'.

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