Volvo P1800 (1966) – Into the Wild

When you think of the classic Volvo, you undoubtedly think of strong, spacious cars with a no-nonsense design. Elegant is usually not the first term that comes up, although you could describe the Amazon as such. However, there was also a model based on that Amazon that you can without a doubt give a very big thumbs up when it comes to its appearance: the P1800.

On the threshold of the 1960s, Volvo decided to explore the market for more sporty-lined cars once again, after making a small foray into this with the extremely rare P1900 in the 1950s. The Swedes seized the basis of the then just a few years old Amazon and commissioned Pietro Frua (then working under the Italian Ghia) to draw a coupé on it. He received help from his student Pelle Peterson and so it was an Italian-Swedish design that eventually reached the production stage. The gentlemen had managed to create a striking 2+2, which, despite its much more exotic shapes than the Amazon, was still recognizable as a Volvo.

Volvo hit the mark with the P1800 and the car was in great demand both on this side of the ocean and in the US. In 1972 the 1800 family was expanded with the 1800ES, which can rightly bear the term Shooting Brake and which, with its special rear window, would later inspire Volvo for the design of the 480 and C30. Anyway, here we have a Regular 1800S, which because of its color is directly reminiscent of the P1800 that Roger Moore moved with in ‘The Saint’. The original Dutch car has also been with its current owner for 21 years. Looks like the Volvo has a warm nest, because it looks neat.

We thank AutoWeek forum member Wouter Bregman for sharing this beautiful spot! Incidentally, the observant viewer has of course already seen that there is also something special in front of the Volvo. More on that later in this section.