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Premium Collector Cars Auction

28 - 1972 – Volvo 1800 E
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Estimate €25,000 - €30,000
Sale commission
Description
1972 – Volvo 1800 E French registration document Chassis no. 184351U034256 Engine no. 496940-3775 - Volvo’s first Grand Tourer, boasting unrivalled styling and build quality - The final 1800E version, the most powerful and refined of the P1800 coupé, built in 1971 - Original Gold Metallic colour scheme, with black vinyl upholstery and brown carpet - French-registered car, only its fifth owner, with just 153,500 km on the clock since it left the factory - Fully refurbished in 1984, with the front seats replaced with those from a 1800 ES, and recently serviced - A rare find in such good overall condition and with a complete service history dating back to the car’s manufacture! Find the full catalogue for the official ‘Bordeaux Classic’ motor show auction, which includes this lot, on the Collector Cars Auction (CCA) website. The file and additional photos for each vehicle are available via the following Drive link (upon request for access): https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1wedt8vSLoV6WHbuS6nzFJF8f_l-dec5Y Estimate: €25,000 / €30,000 In the 1950s, Volvo was a manufacturer that had made reliability, sturdiness and safety its watchwords. Buoyed by the success of this approach, the end of the decade prompted the manufacturer to diversify, particularly into the booming American market. An initial attempt in 1957 resulted in the P1900 Sport roadster, but production was abruptly halted due to design and quality flaws after just 67 units had been built. However, this failed attempt did not deter the Swedish manufacturer, which was keen to expand its range with a slightly sportier model. The P1800 coupé, which was based on a modified P120 Amazon, was thus geared more towards a category that was particularly in vogue at the time: the grand tourer. Volvo commissioned Ghia to design the car, with credit for the design going to its chief designer, Pietro Frua. Its sleek lines and fastback styling perfectly met the demands of the time, and such boldness on the part of the Swedish manufacturer took everyone by surprise when the car was unveiled in 1960 at the Brussels Motor Show. Powered by a Volvo 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 90 chevaux, the emphasis was on reliability rather than sportiness. Yet it is precisely this that has cemented the P1800 coupé’s place in motoring legend. Indeed, the car is robust – and that’s putting it mildly. In 2018, an example in its original condition, never restored, managed to clock up over 3 million miles! The record is now listed in the Guinness Book of Records and has still not been equalled. This astonishing reliability was already a major selling point, and the car proved a success, boosted by its appearance in the famous TV series *The Saint*, starring Roger Moore. After an initial version assembled by Jensen in England, production was moved back to Sweden and the P1800 became the P1800 ‘S’. Its power output then increased to 108 chevaux. A range of variants followed, such as the ‘E’, which was powered by a 2-litre engine with Bosch electronic fuel injection producing 124 chevaux. Volvo continually modernised its elegant coupé, incorporating technological improvements to enhance its power and comfort. In 1972, the famous ‘ES’ version with a shooting brake body style appeared; although it was only produced for two years, it left a lasting impression. As a 1971 model, the car we are offering for sale is a Volvo 1800E fitted with the most advanced version of the 2-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 120 chevaux, which gives it pleasant, dynamic handling. It left the factory in a metallic gold paint finish (105), with a black imitation leather interior and brown carpets (343-768), matching the bodywork. This 1800E, delivered new in France by the Volvo importer Bolinders in Nanterre – most likely to a member of staff at the British Embassy in Paris – has had only five owners since it was first registered in September 1971. All of them have clearly taken great care of it, as confirmed by its particularly comprehensive service history. Numerous maintenance invoices and various service records make it possible to trace the car’s entire history. It is worth noting in this regard that it was restored in 1984, including a visit to the straightening bench, following several previous collisions, which appear to have been poorly repaired and were certainly linked to the rather heavy traffic in Paris. It was subsequently the subject of a comprehensive feature in Échappement magazine in December 1986. Another notable point: in June 1987, it was sold at the ‘Art et Locomotion’ auction, organised by the Poulain-Le Fur auction house. It subsequently spent a fairly long period out of action before being brought back into service in 2007. More recently, the tyres and shock absorbers were replaced, the ignition system was overhauled and the interior was refurbished, with the front seats replaced by those from a 1800 ES. This 1800 E has 153,460 km on the clock, a mileage that is both consistent and reasonable for a classic car over fifty years old. In perfect running order, still accompanied by its original service history book and with a valid MOT, it is a prime find for any collector. Having become a true benchmark amongst the European GTs of its era, the Volvo P1800 and its variants – the 1800 S, 1800 E and 1800 ES – have won the hearts of enthusiasts thanks to the elegance of their lines and the robustness of their design. Our example, in its finest specification, fully embodies this heritage and will appeal to collectors with its character, its excellent condition and its particularly well-documented history. Renowned for its reliability and robustness, the Volvo 1800 is also well suited to everyday use.
See original version (French)
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About the sale Bordeaux Classic - the official sale
Auction location
Auction time 10/25/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures modified on 10/19/2026 at 2:25 PM
Lot description modified on 10/24/2026 at 11:22 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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