1972 Volvo P1800 ES

Lot details
Registration No: PYG744K
Chassis No: 1834352W449822
Mot Expiry: Jan 2020

- Supplied new by Hansons Ltd of Harrogate to F. Newbold Esq who kept it until 2018

- Purchased by the current (second) owner for £16,995 and since treated to £2,000 worth of fettling

- Original tax disc holder, owner's manual, service booklet etc, Black leather, manual / overdrive

Supplied new by Hansons (East Parade) Ltd of Harrogate to local resident F. Newbold Esq. on 22nd June 1972, 'PYG 744K' was to remain in the latter's possession until 2018. The last stamp in the accompanying original service book indicates that the Volvo was maintained by Hansons until at least 6th October 1978 by which time it had covered 47,304 miles. Passing the 100,000 mile mark some thirteen years later, the 1800 ES was treated to a bodywork restoration by Motorvation of Harrogate during August 1993. As well as new front wings and new rear wheelarch sections, the Estate was fitted with a new front panel before being resprayed in its original Light Blue metallic. A testament to the quality of Motorvation's workmanship is just how well 'PYG 744K' presents today. Taken off the road in 2010, the Volvo was recommissioned, serviced and MOT tested prior to entering the current (second) ownership during January this year for £16,995. Showing some (1)22,600 miles to its odometer, the 1800 ES is described by the vendor as being in 'good' (engine, electrical equipment, four-speed manual plus overdrive transmission, interior trim) or 'very good' (bodywork, paintwork) condition. Having spent a further £2,000 on the Estate including entrusting it to Classic Restorations (Scotland) Ltd of Alyth for the installation of a new headlining and attention to the original Black leather front seats etc, the vendor is only now offering 'PYG 744K' for sale because he has recently acquired another classic car. Pleasingly still retaining its original Hansons tax disc holder plus a wealth of old tax discs going back to May 1976, this much-loved Volvo comes with its original owner's manual, warranty and service booklet plus Driving Tips for Volvo Cars leaflet (all housed in the original plastic wallet). Invoices / bills on file date back to one for the car's 18,000 mile service carried out by Hansons on 15th June 1973. A rare opportunity.

Based on a design exercise by Pelle Peterson (though with some subtle reworking by both Ghia and Frua), the Volvo P1800 sports car was unveiled at the 1960 Brussels Salon. Not entering production for a year, its two-door monocoque bodyshell was equipped with independent front suspension, a coil-sprung 'live' rear axle and disc / drum brakes. Powered by a 1782cc OHV four-cylinder engine (complete with five-bearing crankshaft and twin carburettors) allied to a four-speed manual gearbox, it was capable of over 100mph. Never a major contender in the racing world, a P1800 did, however, finish second in class at the 1967 Daytona 24-hour race. Introduced in August 1971, the 1800ES was arguably one of the world's first 'lifestyle' estate cars (a genre now typified by the BMW 3-Series Touring). Boasting notably greater luggage space thanks to its extended roof line and sharply raked glass tailgate, the model came with a more powerful Bosch fuel-injected 1986cc OHV four-cylinder powerplant as standard. Further benefiting from four-wheel disc brakes and the choice of either four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission, it remained in production until 1973 (by which time some 8,078 are thought to have been made).