Volvo P1800
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Volvo-P-1800-S-'63.jpg
Volvo P1800 is an automobile from Volvo. The project was started in 1957 because Volvo wanted a sports car. The man behind the project was Volvo president Helmer Petterson, who in the 1940s was responsible for the Volvo PV 444. The design work was done by Helmerīs son Per "Pelle" Petterson, who worked at Pietro Frua at that time. The Carrozzeria Pietro Frua built the first three prototypes.
The car was initially planned to be manufactured at Karmann in Germany, but VAG wasn't cooperative and it was instead Jensen in the UK that got the work.
The engine was the B18 with dual carburettors with the M40 gearbox. The engine produced 100 hp (75 kW).
The first public pictures were released in 1959. At the time of its launch, it was thought that because of its then-futuristic looks, the P1800 would have a long production life. It did have a long life, although stylistically the finned rear end would date rapidly.
Jensen had problems with the quality and in 1963 the production was moved to Gothenburg and was succeeded by the designation 1800S and the engine now gave an additional 8 hp (6 kW). In 1966 the engine was updated to 115 hp (86 kW). In 1969 the B18 engine was replaced with the B20 giving 120 hp (89 kW), though it kept the designation 1800S. For 1970 numerous changes came with the fuel-injected 1800E. In 1972 came the last model, the 1800ES, a hatchback or station wagon version with an all-glass tailgate; the engine was upgraded to 124 hp (92 kW) with a top speed of 185 km/h. For the last model year, 1973, only the 1800ES was produced. Total production of the 1800 line from 1961 through 1973 was just under 50,000 units. Production ended on June 27, 1973 although Volvo was in negotiations with Sergio Coggiola concerning a possible P1800ESC.
While Volvo never produced factory convertibles of the 1800, these were produced in the aftermarket. A Long Island, NY (USA) dealer, Volvoville, advertised a convertible version.
A white Volvo P1800 (with licence plate ST1) driven by Simon Templar, played by Roger Moore, was featured in the 1962 TV series The Saint.
A 1966 Volvo P1800S owned by Irvin Gordon of East Patchogue, New York, USA has the Gunness world record for highest mileage. It had covered in excess of 3,572,342 km (2,219,751 miles) by March 2004. [1] (http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=43579)