1972 Volvo P1800 ES

The Market sold this lovely example to its current owner Mr J.C.R. Rogers on August 28, 2019. Since then he’s regularly enjoyed the ES’s wares on the road while gently continuing to improve the car and has stated that he’s spent in the region of a further two thousand pounds.

The subject of a full nut ’n’ bolt restoration around seven years ago, this magnificent Volvo P1800 remains 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 was, and remains, excellent, while the combination of metallic blue bodywork and tan leather interior helps the P1800’s lines really pop.

Someone 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 handpicked 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, just as we stated in 2019, we can’t think of a single reason not to buy this one.

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 re-sprayed 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.

The chromework, much of which was new when the car was restored - and what wasn’t new looks to have been re-chromed - 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 currently fitted Minilite alloy wheels, which are shod with matching new Bridgestone Turanza all-season tyres. The car also comes with a set of five refurbished Volvo wheels. We’ll never tire 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.

A thick coat of underseal protects the underside of the car. 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 as they were in 2019 and 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 were 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, was neatly trimmed in blue carpet that has been edged with dark blue during restoration. It is, like everything else in there, is utterly lovely. The spare wheel lies underneath, and the rear seat folds down to create a huge, and hugely practical, load space. You’ll also find a full set of refurbished wheels in there – bonus!

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.

It drives very nicely, the mechanicals feel to be in rude health, but there is some (very minor) fettling to do; the window wipers don’t currently function, although could be something as simple as a fuse. The throttle pedal does require immediate attention, as it wobbles to the right and if it misses the protruding arm behind it falls flat to the floor.

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 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 typewritten summary for details.

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 the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and maintained to the highest of standards.

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. Our reserve for this one is almost identical to back in 2019 and therefore we think it’ll sell for somewhere between £16,000 and £22,000, which still 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.

As stated the present owner has continued to gently improve this example, so it’s as good a, if not slightly better, proposition than it was back in 2019.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near 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’.