Sorry gents, your P1800S designation is incorrect. The 1st 6000 or so, assembled in England by Jenson wore the P1800 designation. Assembly shifted to Sweden in roughly '63-'64 as Volvo wasn't happy with the fit and finish. At that time the designation was changed to 1800 S. In 1970 with the introduction of the fuel injected B20 engine the designation changed again to 1800E, and the final designation, 1800ES, finished out the production run in '72 and '73. The ES is a shooting brake. Also headrests and then high seat backs were introduced in subsequent years to your '65 test car.
I'm restoring one now. But as I put it all back together, I am "sharpening the edges" a bit. A little lower, a little stiffer, some head work, a fast road camshaft, headers and exhaust... All period appropriate stuff - nothing too extreme, and nothing a neophyte could put their finger on - but all with an eye toward making it a little more eager.
Soon getting my driver's license to drive one of these from 1966, that my dad got from his father who has already owned it for many years. It's a white one with red interior like the one shown in the video. I have driven it once already, and it is totally different from any of the modern cars I ahve driven so far. One of the things I immediately liked with it was that the you need to really put some force into the gear stick, steering wheel, clutch and brake to make it do things. Very different from modern cars with all the servos etc.
2 points: look up the design of the car. it doesn´t look italian because it wasn´t designed by an italian. also, about safety and headrests: find another car from the same era that had them. it wasn´t even a thing yet.
doesn't look italian? look at the sketches in the books, it's basically a hommage to the Ferrari 250 designs. The "official" designer Pelle Petterson studied in the US and I'd wager that the Frua people had more to do with the final looks as Petterson was young and probably inexperienced at the time.
The P was dropped when the production was moved to Sweden. The title is inaccurate as there is no P1800S, there is only 1800S with S standing for Sweden. Only the early Jensen produced cars has the P letter in front.
Great line, “you must be kidding” You know what they used to say about Alfa gearboxes, “It’s like spooning honey” Sure like honey that has sat on the shelf for so long it’s crystallised into a glob. The comment about poor ventilation was valid until I watched them drive Ben’s Alfa in another episode and his reply to the same critique was “Italians are so cool” they don’t need ventilation. To which I say, then the seats should be upholstered in Depends to soak up the oil that they ooze!
I know of a guy that swapped his P1800 for a V8 (not sure which make) that did about 300 - 350 horsepower (about 2-3 times what the car has stock). Sounds lovely nd with the space avaliable in that engine bay it is definitely possible. Most people want to keep the stock engine though because it is very reliable, and doesn't sound half bad anyways.
The "reviewer" is rude to the car driver; and biased of Volvo's P1800 sport's car. It's too bad a recording was made and distributed -- there are plenty of people who're willing and able to spotlight the Volvo 1965 P1800S with the integrity that the car and its builders deserve.
Still the best P1800S video on UA-cam hands down
A classic design regardless of its association with the Saint. It stands on its own.
We agree!
I agree, i own a Volvo P1800E -71 fully restored. Greetings from Stefan in Lappland in north Sweden 🇸🇪
Roger Moore didn't just drive the car, He owned it.
Sorry gents, your P1800S designation is incorrect. The 1st 6000 or so, assembled in England by Jenson wore the P1800 designation. Assembly shifted to Sweden in roughly '63-'64 as Volvo wasn't happy with the fit and finish. At that time the designation was changed to 1800 S. In 1970 with the introduction of the fuel injected B20 engine the designation changed again to 1800E, and the final designation, 1800ES, finished out the production run in '72 and '73. The ES is a shooting brake.
Also headrests and then high seat backs were introduced in subsequent years to your '65 test car.
I have my beautiful P1800ES since 1982and I love this vehicles 🚗
3:25, it starts to rain more and these guys just pulls out their sunglasses. Classic!
What a great sounding car
😊I'm buying one, Definitely
I'm restoring one now. But as I put it all back together, I am "sharpening the edges" a bit. A little lower, a little stiffer, some head work, a fast road camshaft, headers and exhaust... All period appropriate stuff - nothing too extreme, and nothing a neophyte could put their finger on - but all with an eye toward making it a little more eager.
I really liked the way these two presented this car. I eapecially love the color scheme.
Soon getting my driver's license to drive one of these from 1966, that my dad got from his father who has already owned it for many years. It's a white one with red interior like the one shown in the video. I have driven it once already, and it is totally different from any of the modern cars I ahve driven so far. One of the things I immediately liked with it was that the you need to really put some force into the gear stick, steering wheel, clutch and brake to make it do things. Very different from modern cars with all the servos etc.
Put her in overdrive then you'll experience the true aspect of these GT 1800S Volvo's .
2 points: look up the design of the car. it doesn´t look italian because it wasn´t designed by an italian. also, about safety and headrests: find another car from the same era that had them. it wasn´t even a thing yet.
doesn't look italian? look at the sketches in the books, it's basically a hommage to the Ferrari 250 designs. The "official" designer Pelle Petterson studied in the US and I'd wager that the Frua people had more to do with the final looks as Petterson was young and probably inexperienced at the time.
Great review.
You guys should try driving 1968 Alfa Romeo Berlina 1750 on the open roads .
The P was dropped when the production was moved to Sweden. The title is inaccurate as there is no P1800S, there is only 1800S with S standing for Sweden. Only the early Jensen produced cars has the P letter in front.
Great line, “you must be kidding” You know what they used to say about Alfa gearboxes, “It’s like spooning honey”
Sure like honey that has sat on the shelf for so long it’s crystallised into a glob.
The comment about poor ventilation was valid until I watched them drive Ben’s Alfa in another episode and his reply to the same critique was “Italians are so cool” they don’t need ventilation. To which I say, then the seats should be upholstered in Depends to soak up the oil that they ooze!
Do this car volvo1800S ref IS for sale ? Give me thé Price.thx you
if I can find one with a v8 eng swap I migh tbe interested in buying one.
I know of a guy that swapped his P1800 for a V8 (not sure which make) that did about 300 - 350 horsepower (about 2-3 times what the car has stock). Sounds lovely nd with the space avaliable in that engine bay it is definitely possible. Most people want to keep the stock engine though because it is very reliable, and doesn't sound half bad anyways.
The "reviewer" is rude to the car driver; and biased of Volvo's P1800 sport's car. It's too bad a recording was made and distributed -- there are plenty of people who're willing and able to spotlight the Volvo 1965 P1800S with the integrity that the car and its builders deserve.
All in jest Fire Dog. Dave & Benny are good mates. Sorry you didn't like the episode.