Bidding Closes From 7pm, Wednesday 16th August
Lots on offer include:
1973 Volvo P1800 ES
Two owners from new with current since 1976
Registration No: RJH 673M
Chassis No: 7431
MOT: Exempt
Estimate: £18,000 - £20,000
Two owners from new, being purchased by the vendor in 1976 from the first owner
92,000 miles from new
Desirable manual gearbox with overdrive example
Lavished with a bodywork restoration in 2016 by Volvo specialists Classic Customs
Supplied with a large history file including the original book pack with stamped service book
Based on a design exercise by Pelle Peterson (though with some subtle reworking by both Ghia and Frua), the Volvo P1800 sports car was unveiled at the 1960 Brussels Salon. Not entering production for a year, its two-door monocoque bodyshell was equipped with independent front suspension, a coil-sprung 'live' rear axle and disc/drum brakes. Powered by a 1782cc OHV four-cylinder engine (complete with five-bearing crankshaft and twin carburettors) allied to a four-speed manual gearbox, it was capable of over 100mph. Never a major contender in the racing world, a P1800 did, however, finish second in class at the 1967 Daytona 24-hour race. Introduced in August 1971, the 1800ES was arguably one of the world's first 'lifestyle' estate cars (a genre now typified by the BMW 3-Series Touring). Boasting notably greater luggage space thanks to its extended roof line and sharply raked glass tailgate, the model came with a more powerful Bosch fuel-injected 1986cc OHV four-cylinder powerplant as standard. Further benefiting from four-wheel disc brakes and the choice of either a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission, it remained in production until 1973 (by which time some 8,078 are thought to have been made).
Manufactured new in 1973 and destined for the United Kingdom, chassis number 7431 was supplied new by Pilling (Sales) Ltd., Volvo agents of Bovingdon, Hertfordshire on the 3rd of August 1973. Finished in Metallic Gold paintwork with Black leather interior upholstery, the Volvo is fitted with the desirable four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Understood to have been a cancelled order, the P1800 was briefly registered to someone else before delivery straight to the first owner. Purchased from the first owner by the vendor in August 1976, the Volvo has accompanied the vendor on many global trips, to places such as Aberdeen (Scotland), The Hague (Holland), Melbourne (Australia), and skiing trips in the Alps. Covering some 92,000 miles from new, the Volvo shows c.66,000 miles on its odometer, following a faulty unit being fitted from the factory, with the mileages from the first five years are documented in the accompanying history file.
Lavished with a full bodywork restoration in 2016 by Volvo specialists Classic Customs that comprised new sills, cross-member, and other bodywork renovations, ‘RJH 673M’ was then provided with a full repaint in its original colour scheme. Subsequently described by the Volvo Enthusiasts Club as ‘probably one of, or the best 1800 ES’s in the UK’, the Volvo features its original dealer sticker and other stickers from the P1800s travels. The large history file that accompanies contains a purchase letter from the first owner; a collection of previous test certificates (from multiple countries); the book pack with well-stamped service book and manuals; and numerous invoices from the Volvos life, as well as a current V5C document. Serviced annually or bi-annually throughout the ownership of the vendor and always garaged, this is a scarce opportunity to acquire a cherished P1800 ES, with low ownership and nice history.
Vendor Condition Ratings:
Bodywork: 'Very Good to Excellent'
Engine: 'Excellent'
Electrical Equipment: 'Excellent' (a new aerial is supplied with the car)
Paintwork: 'Very Good to Excellent'
Transmission: 'Excellent'
Interior Trim: 'Very Good'
Also on offer:
2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500
Starting bid: £2,500
1989 Volkswagen Golf GTi
Starting Bid: £2,500
