Volvo P1800

1971 Volvo P1800E

The P1800E (“E” for Bosch electronic fuel injection) were produced between 1969 and 1973.  P1800’s incorporate unitary monocoque construction with a 2.0 liter in-line four cylinder motor capable of producing 130 hp.

Volvo sold 39,407 P1800 coupes between 1961 and 1973.  Production ended on June 27, 1973. The cause of the P1800’s demise was its competition:  the Volvo P1800 was introduced at the same time as the Jaguar E-Type and in the US the P1800’s price was not much less than the Jaguar.  In fact, in UK it was slightly more expensive than an E-Type.

Actor Roger Moore, who later became famous for portraying James Bond in movies, was widely seen racing around in a P1800 in episodes of “The Saint” television series  of the 1960s.  A 21-year-old Roger Daltrey (frontman for The Who) purchased a P1800S in 1966, and the Crown Prince of Sweden, Carl Gustaf, owned several through the years.