Lot 005: 1973 VOLVO P1800 ES

Sketched by the son of PV 444 designer Helmer Petterson, the P1800 was given the green light by Volvo management in 1957 when Petterson demonstrated that it could be built with standard mechanicals. Launched in January 1960, the original plan for Karmann to build the car was vetoed by Volkswagen and a contract was signed for Jensen to assemble the car. However, due to quality problems Volvo cancelled the Jensen contract in 1963 and assembly transferred to Sweden, the panels being shipped from Pressed Steel. Although never a big seller in the UK due mainly to its high purchase price, the P1800 achieved instant notoriety as the car Roger Moore drove in ITV series 'The Saint'. One of the first examples of product placement, this came about because Jaguar had refused to provide the E-Type preferred by producers, saying that with production at full stretch they could not spare a car! Developed throughout the 1960s, engine capacity increased from 1800 to 2-litre in late 1968 and a 130 bhp fuel-injection version arrived with the 1800 E of late 1969. However, by this stage the P1800's high-waisted bodystyling with its limited glass area was began to look increasingly old-fashioned. So in an inspired move, Volvo added a then very fashionable hatchback rear to create the 1800 ES and created an instant rival to the Scimitar GTE and BMW 2000 Touring. Launched in October 1971 and mechanically similar to the 1800 E, this successfully ensured 2 further years of steady sales of this technically somewhat outmoded design until production finally ceased in summer 1973. Dating from 1973, the example for sale today was according to the sales invoice bought new from Rob Walkers of Dorchester to replace a 2 month old Renault 17. Having had only 3 owners from new, the car has been in dry storage for most of its life and the currently recorded mileage of just under 22,000 appears to be substantiated by copies of old MOTs and other correspondence held by the current owner. Finished in red with a black leather interior and with standard overdrive, the owner variously describes the car as 'excellent' (engine, transmission, paintwork, interior and wheels/tyres), 'all good' (electrics) and 'no rust' (bodywork, chassis). Complete with original owners handbook pack, this 1800 ES is MOT'd until August 2007.