Classic car of the month: Volvo P1800

Whether you are catching reruns of The Saint or drooling over an improbable touring car, you might be watching a Volvo P1800. This classic car stands out as a stunning example of a mid-60s design produced by an unexpected automaker.

A breakout sports car for a conservative manufacturer

Even In the 50s, Volvo had built a reputation for pumping out reliable but unexciting family cars and commercial trucks. They needed a sports car to bring more foot traffic into their dealerships, so they turned to Pelle Petterson, who worked at Pietro Frua, for designs ready to wow the public.

The sleek ride sported a steel body, two doors, and a fixed roof. It would easily fit in alongside the Porsche and Ferrari competitors of the day, but now it sported a Volvo badge on the grille. A pair of styling fins and sweeping chrome accents set it up for success at the country club.

The little car would be sold in Europe and North America from 1961 to 1973, and in the final years, a "shooting brake" version was introduced- a two-door wagon that was anything but boring. Nearly 48,000 were manufactured, and it retained its popularity decades after it left the sales floor.

Specs of the 1961 Volvo P1800

• Engine: 1.8L B18 inline 4-cylinder gas with twin carburettors
• Transmission: Volvo M40 manual 4-speed
• Horsepower: 100 hp
• Rear-wheel drive
• 0 to 100 km/h: 12.4 seconds
• Top Speed: 193 km/h
• Seating: 2+2

A TV star from the 60s

Perhaps the classic P1800 looks so familiar to many hobbyists because it sat in the spotlight as Simon Templar's mode of transportation in the British TV show, The Saint. A young Roger Moore turned the sleek little ride into one of the most sought-after coupes on the showroom floor after its debut in 1962.

Driven for millions of miles

Many years later, the Volvo P1800 scored more headlines as an original owner announced that his coupe passed a million miles on the odometer.

The Guinness Book of World Records verified that Irv Gordon purchased his P1800S in 1966 and continued to drive it until his death in 2018. The odometer logged more than 3.2 million miles while roaming the entirety of North America. That particular machine would be highlighted on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, a NOVA documentary, and in Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car magazine.

The rebirth of a timeless beauty

You might be wondering about the Cyan P1800, which has created some buzz in the past few years among classic and modern sports car enthusiasts. In 2020, Cyan Racing took the original design of the ride and crafted a true grand touring car that looks just like it but loaded with all the upgrades found in a contemporary performance machine.

Only 10 are handcrafted each year and run for a cool $700,000. From a carbon fibre and lightweight steel body to a 414-horsepower engine, it delivers where the original simply can't keep up.

How much is a Classic Volvo P1800?

Would you like to add one of these rare beauties to your garage? A vintage Volvo P1800 in fair condition can be found for around $20,000. If you want a finished restoration, expect to spend between $70,000 and $100,000 at the auction.

Protect your classic cars with the right insurance

Are your classic Volvo’s fully protected against fender benders, theft, or vandalism? Collector car insurance from Orbit Insurance Services helps to defray the cost of unexpected damage and works to keep your baby on the road for years in the future. Contact an Orbit insurance broker today for a personal review of your needs.