1972 Volvo P1800 ES

The subject of a full nut ’n’ bolt restoration around five years ago, this magnificent Volvo P1800 is still box-fresh and ready to start the next chapter of its life. Always achingly pretty, we don’t know that we’ve ever seen a better looking, more beautifully specified example.

The quality of the restoration is excellent, while the combination of metallic blue bodywork and tan leather interior helps the P1800’s lines really pop.

Only being offered for sale to create some much-needed garage space, someone has spent an awful long time going over every single detail of the car because the fit ‘n’ finish is almost flawless.

Even the tyres, which are all-season Bridgestones, have been hand-picked to maximize utility and performance. There is a two-page typewritten breakdown of the work that was done; please see the photos of this for a fuller explanation of exactly what work went into the restoration.

If you’ve ever fancied adding a Volvo P1800 ES to your stable, then we can’t think of a single reason not to buy this one. But don’t just take our word for it; why not pop along to The Market’s HQ in Abingdon and take a look at it for yourself?

The Volvo was stripped down to a bare shell in around 2014/15. All the rotten metalwork was cut out and replaced using replacement panels where they were available. The whole thing was then professionally resprayed before being carefully refitted with new and refurbished components and trim as necessary.

It was done well because the blue coachwork is still pristine, with mm-perfect shut-lines, perfectly smooth panels, and a sheen to its finish that speaks of dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of preparatory work. It is utterly wonderful and shows off the car’s lines to perfection.

The black vinyl roof, complete with a Webasto sliding sunroof, is new and has been carefully fitted and is free of the sort of wrinkles that betray the work of a novice. Which got us to thinking: are they still churning out apprentices who are skilled in the installation of these roofs? After all, it must be 30 years since anyone fitted a vinyl roof to a new car, surely?

The chromework, much of which was new when the car was restored - and what wasn’t new looks to have been rechromed - is all good too, as is the glass. The badges look to have been refurbished as well, which might be a small thing but one that goes to the heart of the quality of this restoration.

As do the original Minilite alloy wheels, which are shod with matching new Bridgestone Turanza all-season tyres. We’ll never tyre of telling you that matching, high-quality tyres are a good indicator of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner. There are others – a full service history, for example, and a folder full of invoices in chronological order are two others that spring to mind – but tyres are an easy and quick way of setting a baseline.

The underside of the car is protected by a thick coat of underseal.

As for imperfections in the paint, we have noticed one 2-inch, touched-up, light scratch on the top of the front nearside wing. 

The high-back brown leatherette seats are at least as good as new; after having been fully rebuilt and beautifully recovered in tan leather, they are now probably more supple and supportive than they ever were in period.

The door cards are new too, and were trimmed in matching leatherette. They look utterly wonderful; it’s a long time since any of us have gushed over door cards, but these have done the trick.

Or smiled at a handbrake, come to that. Fitted to the right of the driver’s seat, it’s nothing special bar the inclusion of a round arch over the button, which prevents it being accidentally depressed as you get in and out of the car. It’s a small thing, but indicative of the care Volvo put into even the smallest of features.

The boot, like the rest of the interior, is neatly trimmed in blue carpet that has been edged with dark blue and retained with chrome trim pieces. It is, like everything else in there, utterly lovely. The spare wheel lies underneath, and the rear seat folds down to create a huge, and hugely practical, load space.

The dashboard is immaculate (a new dashboard top was sourced and fitted), as are the dials, switches, and other controls. Even the steering wheel is flawless following its restoration. A new headlining has been fitted, too.

In fact, the only thing we can see that isn’t perfect is the carpet that covers the offside rear quarter in the boot; it’s a bit wrinkly and could do with removing and refitting. That would be a straightforward job that wouldn’t be unduly onerous in terms of either time or money.

Oh, and the ignition barrel isn’t quite centred in its hole in the dashboard, and the nearside rear leatherette trim panel has come adrift. That these are the extent of the issues should convince you that this is a car that is worth making the pilgrimage to us here in Abingdon to admire it in person.

The car’s comprehensive restoration included its mechanical components, all of which were removed, cleaned and inspected, and then rebuilt or replaced as necessary.

The engine, for example, was stripped down and then carefully rebuilt after having the block and cylinder head skimmed. The crankshaft was polished and a new camshaft was fitted. The cylinder head was converted to run unleaded petrol, and a new oil pump and rear crankshaft oil seal conversion kit was installed.

The gearbox has overdrive in fourth gear, and a new three-piece clutch kit was fitted, as was a new water pump, re-cored radiator, new heater valve, all new coolant hoses, and all the consumables like spark plugs, points, condenser, distributor cap and HT leads were replaced along with a stainless steel exhaust system. The owner tells us that it holds good oil pressure no matter what the revs, and drives “really well”. Our brief test-drive could find no reason to contradict this.

The engine bay is as beautifully finished and carefully detailed as the rest of the car. It’s gorgeous without being flashy, and neat without being unrealistically obsessive. Take a look at the hand-cut insulation on the underside of the bonnet, for example. Or even the little alloy brackets that latch and hold the bonnet securely closed. It is, in fact, exactly the sort of engine bay you want to see on your newly minted classic car.

The rest of the Volvo’s mechanical components were similarly inspected and either restored or renewed; please see the attached invoices and the type-written summary for details.

The online MOT history shows nothing of concern whatsoever and the MOT certificate itself runs out in August 2020.

The car comes with a number of expired MOT certificates plus a thick sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it during its restoration. There are also copies of old V5 registration documents, which give a charming insight into the car’s history.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and maintained to the very highest standard.

The Volvo P1800 has a ready audience amongst folk for whom style and practicality need not be strangers. Achingly pretty but vastly useful, few estate cars can match the Volvo P1800 for either looks or utility.

They’re solid too, and reliable; the Volvo might just be the most practical classic car you can buy, which makes it one you can buy with your head and your heart.

Nor are they expensive. We think this one will sell for between £17,000 and £22,000, which doesn’t seem like a lot to pay for a car that has been as well-finished as this. The reserve is, of course, set at an even lower point.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen here at The Market HQ in Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.