Registration No: 875 RUO
Chassis No: 8214
MOT: March 2024

• Current ownership since 2014
• Subject to a previous bodywork restoration and repaint
• Mechanical overhaul in current ownership
• Early cow horn bumper example
• Best restoration winner with the Volvo enthusiast club in 2017

Based on a design exercise by the Swedish-born Pelle Petterson whilst under the tutelage of Pietro Frua when Frua's studio was a subsidiary of the Italian carrozzeria Ghia: The styling does indeed owe a nod to the VW-Karmann Ghia. The Volvo P1800 sports car was officially unveiled at the January 1960 Brussels Salon. Not entering production for a year, the newcomer's sleek two-door monocoque bodyshell was equipped with mechanicals derived from Volvo's Amazon/122 series, with independent front suspension, a coil-sprung 'live' rear axle and disc/drum brakes. Powered by a 1782cc OHV four-cylinder engine breathing through twin SU carburettors, allied to a four-speed manual gearbox, it was capable of over 100mph. The P1800 was immortalised in the 1960s ATV series 'The Saint' starring the late Sir Roger Moore. The 'S' in 'P1800S' refers to Sweden as the location for production post-1963. Earlier cars had in fact been constructed in the UK by Jensen. Regardless of engine size (post-1969 the B20 engine was used), all cars were designated '1800'.

First registered on the 25^th of November of 1963, with current ownership since 2014, this is an example of the earlier iteration of the P1800, with what are colloquially referred to as the ‘cow horn’ bumper models. Built at Volvo’s Lundby plant, in Gothenburg, Sweden, after the earliest cars had been built by Jensen before succumbing to quality control issues. In recent years ‘875 RUO’ has been the subject of a restoration of the bodywork and a repaint in what is believed to be Ferrari Rosso c.2015. Indeed, in 2017 the pretty coupe (styled by Pelle Petterson) won an award for Best Restoration with The Volvo Enthusiasts Club. In current ownership, the P1800 has also benefitted from a mechanical overhaul, including:

New copper/nickel (Kunifer) brake pipes, (full set), New copper/nickel clutch pipe, New fuel tank, 123 Electronic distributor/new coil, Brake servo and slave refurbished, Twin carburettors refurbished and tuned, Retro Sound radio (dab) fitted with electric ariel and two new speakers, New seals all round including doors, windows, boot and bonnet, Radiator refurbished, Heater fan refurbished, New water pipes, New Powerflex poly bushes fitted all round, New suspension (dampers and springs), Centre console added for extra speaker/switches/gauge, can be reversed if not required, Stainless steel bumpers, New brake calipers, Refurbished rear brakes, New headlining and new door cards. ‘875 RUO’ is offered with a collection of old MOTs dating back to 1979, a large collection of invoices and an original sales brochure.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760