1970 VOLVO 1800E

This Volvo 1800E is a charming Swedish classic, presented in remarkably good order following an extensive restoration. Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre inline-four engine with Bosch fuel injection, producing around 130bhp, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The odometer shows 109,057 miles, though it has covered less than 7,000 miles since a total mechanical rebuild.

An original UK car first registered in April 1970, there are just six previous registered keepers on the log book. The most recent owner had it for nearly 10 years, and during his time with it the car was restored with a comprehensive refurbishment of the powertrain and suspension.

The current owner acquired the Volvo earlier this year, and has since treated it to a respray to correct minor colour imperfections with the paint - meaning that it now looks superb. He has covered around 700 miles in it, including in heavy London traffic and at speed on motorways, and describes the car as driving faultlessly.

Its bodywork is straight and solid, with no evidence of accident damage or corrosion on the panels. The seller also states that the car is completely solid underneath. Having been restored between 2010 and 2015, the body and paint presented well, but the seller noted that there were some flaws in the colour blend in the finish. Therefore, in July 2020, the car was stripped back and fully resprayed across all panels, and with new front and rear screen seals fitted. Photos of this work are included in the gallery below.

As is evident from the detailed images, this 1800E looks very smart today, with the classic white hue accented by the sharp styling line trims down the flanks, and the chromed bumpers, grille and light bezels. The latter have not been restored, and there is some pitting and other blemishes evident in the finish, as well as some dents to the passenger-side chrome strip from parked car doors. At the front, the headlights and spot lamp lenses appear to be sound, though at the back of the car there are some hairline cracks in the tail light casings. The car rides on a set of 15-inch Minilite wheels, which are in excellent condition.

In the cabin, the front seats are new, with fresh red upholstery to match the rest of the interior. They show no visible wear, and of course benefit from supportive padding compared to original aged items. The rear bench has been left as-is, with some noticeable signs of use, and has developed a handsome patina across the finish. Likewise, the door panel coverings also appear to be original, and are still adorned with the Volvo logo. The metal door trims are worn and aged in places, but in general the panels still look smart. Having covered some 700 miles behind the wheel, the seller reports no instrumentation issues or electrical faults with the car.

During its restoration between 2010 and 2015, this 1800E’s 2.0-litre engine was removed and fully rebuilt, including a crankshaft grind, new bearing shells and piston rings, a total refurbishment of the injection system, and a new Bosch wiring harness and electronic ignition. The oil pump, water pump, and thermostat were replaced, along with various heater hoses. A new exhaust manifold was also fitted.

The overdrive gearbox and rear axle were rebuilt, along with the suspension - including new rear shock absorbers, joints and bushes for the latter. Brake lines and fuel lines were renewed; front and rear brake discs, calipers and pads were replaced; and a new fuel tank and fuel pump were fitted. Finally, a new radiator was also installed, along with an interior fan switch.

The most recent MOT test was on 1 July 2020 at 109,057 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories. Its 185/65 R15 tyres were fitted in 2012, and remain in good condition with plenty of tread.

The seller advises that there are numerous spare and original parts accompanying the car, including the old glass that was replaced, and the original steering wheel. The history file for this Volvo also includes a framed photo of the car signed by the original P1800 designer, Pelle Petterson.

This Volvo 1800E is a great example of a classic Scandinavian design, which was initially made famous in P1800 form by Roger Moore in ‘The Saint’. As a later model with fuel injection and a good deal more power, this car makes a wonderful 1970s touring car, with ample room for passengers and luggage for longer trips. A charming coupe that attracts the right kind of attention wherever it goes, this 1800E would make a fine addition to any collection of classics.

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.