Volvo 1800E
| Volvo P1800 | |
|---|---|
1965 Volvo 1800S
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Cars |
| Production |
|
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Pelle Petterson |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Volvo Amazon |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm (96.5 in) |
| Length | 4,350–4,400 mm (171.3–173.2 in) |
| Width | 1,700 mm (66.9 in) |
| Height | 1,280–1,285 mm (50.4–50.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,130–1,175 kg (2,491–2,590 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volvo P1900 |
| Successor |
|
The Volvo P1800 is a 2+2, front-engine, rear-drive sports car manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars between 1961-1973. Originally a coupe (1961–1971), it was altered into a shooting-brake for the duration of its production (1972-1973). Styling was by Pelle Petterson under the tutelage of Pietro Frua when Frua's studio was a subsidiary of the prestigious Italian carrozzeria Ghia, and mechanicals derived from Volvo's dependable Amazon/122 series.
Marketed as a stylish touring car rather than a sports car, the P1800 became widely known when driven by future James Bond actor Roger Moore in the hit television series The Saint which aired from 1962-1969.
In 1998, an 1800S was certified as the highest mileage private vehicle driven by the original owner in non-commercial service — having exceeded three million miles (over 4.8 million km) as of 2013.
The project was originally started in 1957 because Volvo wanted a sports car to compete in the US & European markets, despite the fact that their previous attempt, the P1900, had failed to take off with only 68 cars sold. The man behind the project was an engineering consultant to Volvo, Helmer Petterson, who in the 1940s was responsible for the Volvo PV444. Unknown to him, design work was done by his son Pelle, under the tutelage of Italian auto stylist Pietro Frua while Frua's studio as a subsidiary of the prestigious carrozzeria Ghia. Volvo insisted it was an Italian design by Frua and only in 2009 officially recognized Pelle Petterson's authorship. Carrozzeria Frua built the first three prototypes between September 1957 and early 1958, later designated by Volvo in September 1958: P958-X1, P958-X2 and P958-X3 (P:Project, 9:September, 58:Year 1958 = P958, X: eXperimental.).
...
Wikipedia