1963 Volvo P 1800 S Sports Coupe

Volvo produced the P1800 front-engine, a rear-drive sports car from 1961 through 1973. Based on the 121 saloon, the P1800 was built by Jensen Motor until production transferred to Sweden in 1963 and came equipped with Volvo's four-cylinder, overhead-valve engine in 1782cc form. With the help of twin SU carburetors, the unit offered 100 horsepower and gave the coupe a top speed of around 105 horsepower. Horsepower rose to 108 bhp in 1963 with the introduction of the successor P1800S. Fuel injection was standardized in 1969, and horsepower rose again to 130 hp. Disc brakes arrived at the same time. By the close of the 1960s, the model was given new life with the introduction of the Reliant GTE-influenced P1800ES sports estate.

In 1963, the Volvo P1800 Sports Coupe had a base price of nearly $4,000. This 1963 Volvo was constructed at the Göteborg-based Volvo plant during the Summer of 1963 and therefore bears the 'S' designation. It was built for the United States market and equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox and a left-hand drive steering arrangement. It was finished in color code 79 (Pearl White). Over the years, the car has been cosmetically and mechanically refurbished, and chrome wire wheels have been fitted.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019