Prior to the P1800’s arrival, Volvo was well-established as a manufacturer of rugged, dependable cars with a slightly stodgy and austere appearance. But for those in the know, the PV444 and PV544 saloons were also quite entertaining to drive and the Volvo four-cylinder engine responded well to tuning. In an effort to improve its image, Volvo introduced the P1900 sports car, a fiberglass-bodied machine with a tuned “B14” engine that produced 70 horsepower. Unfortunately, it did not live up to Volvo’s usual standard of quality and only 68 examples found buyers.

Thankfully, management didn’t throw in the towel, but instead they regrouped and a new car was designed, this time with a more practical steel body and mechanical underpinnings based on the new Amazon/122 chassis. The new car, called P1800, had a dramatic body that was quite unlike any Volvo before it. It was styled largely in-house, though it did get some tweaks courtesy of Frua of Turin, who built the first prototype. The P1800 was a smashing success for Volvo; so much so, they had to farm production of the bodies out to Pressed Steel of West Bromwich, England for the first round of production. To control costs and quality, production then moved back to Sweden and continued through the mid-1970s, with the P1800ES wagon being the final evolution of the model.

This 1972 P1800E is a mid-production coupe with the desirable 2-liter B20 engine, Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection and four-wheel disc brakes. It is finished in crisp white paint over a black interior with tan carpets. Showing that it has been driven sparingly, the Volvo presents very nicely as a well-sorted and attractive car that is ready for driving. Closer inspection reveals this to be a largely original car that has not ever been fully restored, but rather well maintained and freshened up with a respray in its correct color scheme. The paint and bodywork are attractive and tidy, and the exterior trim is complete and in good condition. It rides on a set of correct steel wheels with radial tires, and like any P1800 provides fun, predictable handling during a spirited drive.

The stylish cabin carries on the theme with very good black upholstery, nice original instruments, a later AM/FM/cassette stereo and a good, clean and tidy feel all-around. Thanks to the Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection and the four-speed overdrive manual gearbox, performance is brisk and the B20 produces plenty of torque and a nice bark from the exhaust. These are delightful driver’s cars, and they make an excellent choice for a starter classic as they are reliable, easy to drive and of course, very stylish. This honest, solid, rust-free example is sure to return plenty of fun for its next owner.