1966 Volvo 1800S

Description

Planned in Sweden, designed in Italy, built in Britain, and a success in the United States, the P1800 could be Volvo’s most internationally renowned model. Built from 1961 to 1973, the P1800 was created to increase dealer showroom traffic. To make it really striking, Pietro Frua of Turin, Italy, was commissioned to style the car, though Swede Pelle Petterson actually designed it.

Due to limited capacity at Volvo’s plants, British companies Pressed Steel and Jensen Motors manufactured and assembled the cars until 1963 when production moved to Sweden, with those cars now called 1800S. The sports car’s 1.8-liter overhead-valve, four-cylinder engine sported dual SU carburetors was rated at 115 horsepower.

From a company known best for sturdy, practical automobiles, the 1800S was an image changer, especially once it was seen driven by Roger Moore playing debonair crime-fighter Simon Templar in the British TV series "The Saint." As British magazine MotorSport wrote, “The Volvo is a smooth-traveling, quiet car for long journeys, ideal for those who want a coupe smacking of a Ferrari and a top speed well clear of the ton...”

Dressed in Light Blue as from the factory, this 1966 Volvo 1800S benefited from long term previous ownership.

Highlights

• Long term caretaking by a previous owner

• Powered by a 1.8-liter four cylinder with dual SU carburetors producing 115 hp at 5,500 rpm

• Four-speed synchromesh overdrive manual transmission

• Resprayed in 2002 in its original Light Blue paint

• Black leather and vinyl interior with Medium Gray carpet

• The Data Plate decode as:

  • Type: 18345 VF – M41 overdrive gearbox, US market only

  • Chassis Number – 16928

  • Color: 89 – Light Blue

  • Upholstery: 309-522 – Black Leather and Vinyl, Medium Gray Carpet

Features

• Recent replacements include:

  • Four new tires in May with only a few hundred miles driven

  • New mesh steering wheel cover

  • New horn (generic tone, not equal to factory original)

• Speedometer, odometer and tripmeter, water temperature, and fuel gauges

• Warning lights for low charging and oil pressure

• Dazzle-free rearview mirror

• Map reading lamp

• Map pockets on front doors

• Volvo three-point seat belts fitted for front seats

• Padded dashboard and sun visors

• Grab handles

• Horn rings

• Cigarette lighters

• Ashtrays front and rear

• Fresh air heater

• Two-speed ventilation fan

Known Imperfections

• Radio works, but does not have wide geographic coverage

• Blemishes on the rear window moldings

• Assorted paint imperfections

• Tach and speedometer may need calibration

Included

• Volvo instruction manual

• Tool kit

• Records from 2002 respray

• Copies of Volvo Sports America VSA magazine

• Two sets of new spare keys (ignition and gas cap)

Ownership History

The consignor of this 1966 Volvo 1800S acquired it in April 2024. The previous owner bought it in January 2024 from the estate of its long-term owner, and work on the car during the past year is said to have included servicing the brakes and replacing the clutch and clutch master cylinder. The Volvo was repainted in 2002 following the completion of rust repairs on the fenders, rockers, and quarter panels along with other body repairs.