Lot 664: 1967 VOLVO P1800S 2+2 COUPE

Engine: four cylinders in line, overhead valves, 1,778 cc, 100bhp at 5,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: independent all round with double wishbones to the front, live axle with radius arms, torque struts, and coil springs to the rear; Brakes: hydraulic with discs to the front and drums to the rear. Right hand drive.

Launched by Volvo in 1960 and continuing until 1972, the P1800 was the Swedish company's first (and arguably only) foray into sportscar territory, earning star-status as Roger Moore's preferred mode of transport in the cult TV series The Saint. The elegant lines were Italian-styled, but the bodies were made the UK by Pressed Steel while final assembly of the cars was completed by Jensen. While never having been considered as outright sportscars, the entirely new 1778cc engine (which produced 100bhp at 5,500rpm) was enough to earn the P1800 recognition as an eminently capable and comfortable tourer; the Guinness World Record for highest car mileage is held by an American 1966 P1800 having covered 2,219,751 miles by March 2004, and still going.

This example is one of only 39,414 produced. Supplied by Continental Cars of Leigh-on-Sea, it still wears its original white paint which remains in good condition. The front seats are upholstered in black leather while the rears are finished in black vinyl, both of which are in good condition if showing some signs of use consistent with the 38,000 miles showing on the odometer. Also, the door lining on the driver's side has been damaged slightly and repaired. The chrome-work on the car is slightly faded, but this is the only sign of corrosion on the body in general. Formerly owned by Mr. G. Webb of Benfleet, it was purchased by the Sharpes for the collection sometime towards the end of the 1970s.