1961 | Volvo P 1800

Transmission: 4 gears, Manual gearbox
Registration number: VO-XX-38

Partly thanks to Roger Moore as 'The Saint', the Volvo P1800 has become a very popular classic coupe. The 2+2 presented in 1960 was promoted as a sports car, but was actually more of a wonderfully driving GT with a sporty appearance. In December 1960 the cars with chassis numbers 1 and 2 were ready, in the following months several dozen hand-built cars. Production at Jensen in Great Britain was difficult, so the numbers started slowly. One of those very first cars, production number 38 (!) is now in Brummen.

The first approximately 1,000 cars are therefore different in terms of finish from the later, normal production P1800s. The early cars are not only characterized by 'deviating fits', but also by a chassis number that is only applied to the type plate and cannot be found on the bodywork itself.


#38 has been owned since birth by a Volvo employee, who had the car until 1972 and sold it to a Volvo dealer. At that time, the Volvo was modified with more modern items, as was often the case at the time. Modern seats and rear seats and a more modern grille, to name a few. To complete it, the originally red car was painted light green metallic and the car suddenly looked identical to a new 1800 S. In her own words, the Swedish lady who bought the car from the dealer had the coolest car in all of Orust and Tjörn , although we don't know the villages well enough to say whether that says a lot. And now it is for sale with us.

The owner drove around for a few years when damage to the front was caused by a collision with a deer. That chance is simply greater in Sweden than in the Netherlands. The car disappeared into the garage for years until it was time for a thorough restoration in 2013. An excellent opportunity to repaint the car in its original color and after a restoration the extremely early P1800 was back on the Swedish road. After enjoying it for several years, it was time to part with the car after almost fifty years and so we can now offer this beautiful P1800.

After the restoration in 2013, it should come as no surprise that the sheet metal of the P1800 finally closes as they should, unlike how the standard fits were on the pre-series P1800. The P1800 was built at Jensen, if later production moved to Sweden (and the model name becomes 1800 S (van Sweden)) it will be even better. Our copy is nicely in between: better than the original was but with the character of an early series.
The chrome, moldings and lighting parts of the car are all in a neat condition, as are the early 'cow horn bumpers' that are characteristic of the first series of the P1800. The car makes a very fresh impression, with its stylish, original wheels.

The interior is very neat. The seats from an 1800 ES offer a lot of extra comfort and are in a neat condition and the same applies to the back seat, or should we say 'the back seat'. Carpet and door panels are all neatly in order and the gauges are the correct early ones with a beautiful sea-blue center section. The atmosphere in the cabin of a P1800 is pleasant every time. It is a cross between Italian flair, American exuberance, but also Swedish sobriety at the same time. Well done. American exuberance but at the same time Swedish sobriety. Well done.

Underneath the engine is the extremely solid B18 engine, where the B stands for Bensin and 18 indicates the engine capacity of 1,778 cc. By mounting two SU carburettors, the B18 in the P1800 produces 100 hp and that is enough to rev smoothly. #38 drives sporty and comfortable and the manual M40 gearbox can be guided smoothly through the four gears with an overdrive as extra resistance. The brakes, exhaust, suspension, tank, shock absorbers, radiator and other parts have all been renewed during the renovation and the bike has been taken apart for a comprehensive inspection. So ready for the future!

The car is included in the P1800 register of early models. A unique opportunity to own a unique car.

Gallery Aaldering is Europe’s leading Classic Cars specialist since 1975! Always 400 Classic and Sportscars in stock, please visit www.gallery-aaldering.com for the current stock list (all offered cars are available in our showroom) and further information. We are located near the German border, 95 km from Düsseldorf and 90 km from Amsterdam. So easy traveling by plane, train, taxi and car. Transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged. No duties/import costs within Europe. We buy, sell and provide consignment sales (selling on behalf of the owner). We can arrange/provide registration/papers for our German (H-Kennzeichen, TÜV, Fahrzeugbrief, Wertgutachten usw.) and Benelux customers. Gallery Aaldering, Arnhemsestraat 47, 6971 AP Brummen, The Netherlands. Tel: 0031-575-564055. Quality, experience and transparency is what sets us apart. We look forward to welcoming you in our showroom