1973 Volvo P1800ES - A Rare, Beautiful Touring Car -Owned by Seller for 35 years

Private Sale by Owner1973 VOLVO P1800ES Sport Wagon. Rare ! Gorgeous ! Restored exclusively with Original Replacement parts ! All records available.===================================Item specifics:Condition: Used VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): 1836353-006484Year: 1973Make: Volvo Number of Cylinders: 4Model: P1800ESTransmission: Manual 4 Speed with 5th speed electric overdriveTrim: Sport Wagon trim Body Type: Hatchback Sport WagonEngine: B20 Fuel Injected Vehicle Title: ClearDrive Type: RWDMileage: 240,000Fuel Type: GasolineExterior Color: Orange Interior Color: Black leather and vinyl / Brown carpeting (All new original replacement interior)===================================Location and Contact Info:The car is located in Fairfax, alifornia, nited States. I'm hoping for a local buyer/pick-up. But if you want to take care of shipping/insurance costs, will accommodate. Should you wish to contact me directly to discuss further specifics or further questions you might have about the Volvo, ou can reach me at 415-459-6285.===================================Terms and Conditions Payments:Deposit: A deposit of $1,000 must be paid within 24 hours of auction close and is a non-refundable deposit. Payment: Vehicle will not be available for pickup or shipping until full payment is received and cleared by my local bank. Full payment is required within 7 days of auction close.Please, o after auction games. Serious bidders only. Full payment before shipping the vehicle or before driving it away.Please have your permissions and funds in order before bidding.===================================WarrantyTHE VEHICLE IS SOLD AS-IS, ITH ALL FAULTS KNOWN OR UNKNOWN.I am doing my very best to accurately describe this vehicle and representing it with 100% integrity. Please note that occasionally old cars can have anything quit working at any time. Vehicle is sold "As Is" with no warranty.The Volvo P1800ES Series is renown for its safety and durability (one P1800 has clocked over 3 million miles). This P1800ES is comfortable and great fun to drive while getting lots of attention and receiving constant "thumbs up." A more rust-free example would be hard to find.Warranty: No warranties.Warranty Information This vehicle is being sold as is, ith no warranty, xpressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, uthenticity, enuineness, r defects herein, nd makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, mperfection, efect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, nd to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.Return Policy: No returns unless mutually agreed upon.Availability: This item is advertised elsewhere. I reserve the right to remove this listing at any time.===================================Shipping/Transport:Buyer is responsible for vehicle pick-up or shipping. Vehicle shipping will be quoted upon request. All shipping/insurance to be paid by Buyer. Should you decide to have vehicle shipped, nly licensed, nsured, nd bonded transportation should be used. This is to protect your vehicle up until you receive it.I highly suggest only using enclosed shipping for this vintage and exotic vehicle. It is on average a few hundred dollars more, ut is well worth it when you think about how open carriers work with holding yards and packed shipping trucks... AND TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT *Please note that the vehicle cannot be shipped until the first set of documents containing the bill of sale, ax exemption form, tc... has been returned to the Owner. The documents will be sent immediately to you after you have purchased the vehicle in full. After these are sent back the vehicle is ready to ship and title will be mailed out.*===================================History of Use and Weather exposure:This has always been a West Coast automobile, ocated in the Bay Area, nd does not have the usual rust problems so often seen in cars which have been in other severe climate areas. There is minor paint bubbling behind front wheels, ow on body panel which will require rust removal and repainting. There are minor cracks in paint on the top of the front right cowling. Body is still in great condition and always gets compliments by passers by.The car was purchased by me in 1981 and I have been maintaining it ever since. The car is in great mechanical condition and comes with the original jack, ools, wner's manual, ervice manual and maintenance records. This is a collector's dream! One of the nicest examples of this highly desired and sought after model found on the market today! ES values have been steadily appreciating, his is an opportunity to own a quality example.Fully restored body in 1998 with no signs of rust (pictures available), ebuilt fuel-injected engine, anual low mileage transmission, new interior, ilstein suspension, -speakers, ndercarriage sealed, new tires Michelin 185/70-15, ll new rubber and weatherstrippin, tock exhaust system with new headers (non stock) which adds 15% to engine horsepower, tc, tc..The bottom of the car was also cleaned and re-undercoated around 2005. It has been in the San Francisco Bay area since 1982 and resided in the Napa California area previous to that. No salted road driving. It has very little wear for a 42 year old car.Please feel free to contact me for any additional questions you might have about my P1800ES and I will be happy to answer them as best I can.====================================Partial Mechanical Work History:Here are some of the many general upkeep repairs, estoration and improvements that I've made over the years of my ownership. All replacement parts have been original replacement except as noted. All work order/parts receipts available from late 1970's to present.Interior: NewEngine: Rebuilt Original Volvo fuel-injectedTransmission: rebuilt, ow mileage 4-speed manual with electric over-drive transmissionBosch fuel injection systemNew electrical wiring harnessElectronic ignition system update (original components available) It never misses or fails to start.Very hard to come by, osch computer interface and analyzer for fuel injection system.Coil: NewDisk Brakes: New disks, alipers, ads, tc. The four wheel power assisted brake system is standard.Seat Belts: NewHeadlights: WorkingParking lights: WorkingBrake lights: WorkingTurn signals: Working but in need of repair or replacementWipers: WorkingCD/Radio: Working with 4 boxed speaker system (no holes in panels)Heater: WorkingAll exterior rubber (door surrounds, ear window, ngine cowling, tc. replaced a few years back and in excellent condition.Comes with a spare tire and original jack Air conditioning: NANon-original replacements parts:Headers (Increases horsepower by 15%)Electrical Ignition system (I still have old replacement parts for orignial ignition)Michelin 185-70x15 Tires (wider profile tire providing improved stability)Driver and passenger seats come with wool seat covers.Special order dashboard covers come with vehicle (they help prevent cracking of dash from direct sunlight)Spare Parts:Over the years, 've collected two large boxes of spare parts. I also have an extra rear window, pare original ignition parts, tc., tc. ====================================Body/Paint Restoration HistoryCar had complete paint job in 1998. Old paint taken down to bare metal with no apparent visible signs of rust( photos available upon request).New undercoating applied after steam cleaning.====================================DISCLOSURE ITEMS: Future Mechanical and Chrome Repairs by next owner:Engine and Transmission are in great condition.You will have to do very little work to fix a few items and bring the car up to Show Room Condition:Volt meter works but amp meter needs to be connected.Odemeter needs rebuild.Turn signals need rebuild. Operational but return needs work.Starter motor is making some noises. Though it still works, t will need replacement.Side trim needs retooling and re-chroming due to bang marks from other cars opening their doors into my car (What can I say...some people have no respect). Chrome wheel beauty rings need slight repair and re-chroming. They are one of the few items not original replacement. Front bumper could use re-chroming for a showroom finish.Clock needs rebuildShift boot cover needs replacement.==================================== A Brief Historical Introduction:THIS CLASSIC VOLVO P1800ES IS SUPER RETRO AND LOOKS LIKE A SPACESHIP DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. PEOPLE WILL STARE AND SMILE AT YOU AND ASK IF THEY CAN TAKE PICTURES. THE MOST COMMON COMMENT MADE FROM PEOPLE PASSING BY IS THAT THE CAR MAKES THEM "HAPPY". It is one of only 8077 produced for the model years 1972 and 1973.I can guarantee that the following description of the car is accurate. This is a 42 year old automobile. I fully expect it to serve you well for many years to come, ut I can't guarantee it. The sale is FINAL so I encourage you, f possible, o come over and check it out.I am selling this stunning classic 1973 Volvo 1800ES Sport Wagon finished in Orange with new Black leather/vinyl with Brown carpeting interior. The car benefits from full bare metal repaint in 1998 and over the years has undergone a comprehensive restoration and upkeep including all mechanicals and new interior. The car has always been well maintained and has has the benefit of timely, ull servicing. The fuel injection system is stock. The car always starts on the turn of the key. These cars have seen a lot of movement in their values over the last few years and do not seem to be stopping any time soon.Since my purchase in 1981 it has been my one and only driving machine. It has always been dependable for both local and long distance trips. For the past 20 years, he car has been garaged for 6 months out of every year while I am away on business.This was the car that I wanted ever since I saw one in 1972. I was struck by the mix of functionality and artistic design of this two door wagon. After 35 years of faithful service, he time has come for me to pass my great little car on to someone will be as taken by it as I am. I am looking for a good home for my faithful friend. It's in amazing shape for a 42 year old car... not a trailer queen but pretty close.This car is a descendant of Irv Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800 that holds the record for most miles driven- over 3 million.I wouldn't hesitate to drive this car cross-country. I have used this car as my main transportation, oth local and long distance, or the past 34 years, nd it has always proved to be a faithful, ependable machine, erving me well. It is the only car I have owned since its purchase in 1981.Purchased from the previous owner in 1981, have all of the previous owners records, long with those maintenance/parts receipts I've accumulated since its purchase.====================================Books, epair/Service Manuals, olling Magazines and maintenance records from the late 1970's come with the purchase of this vehicle. I also have a small collection of books dedicated to the history and maintenance of the P1800ES. (Including Bill Webb's rare and collectible, Swedish Iron")==========================================================================================================================================================================================================Further Historical Reading and Additional Information on the Volvo P1800ES:------------------------------------------------SPECIFICS / BUILD INFORMATIONThe Volvo P1800 ES was the last in the P1800 series and probably the first of its kind and reminiscent of the mid-50's Chevy Nomad, nd may be considered one of the pioneers in the niche vehicle segment. In England they call vehicles like the Volvo P1800 ES affectionately "Shooting Brake" as they were often custom made for hunters to carry their hunting gear and hounds. Starting with the existing fuel-injected 2.0-liter P1800 E, olvo simply lopped off the coupe roof and substituted a "squareback" style with long rear quarter windows, akishly slanted C-pillars, nd a frameless, iftup glass hatch. Aside from improving looks, he new roofline brought welcome gains in rear seat headroom and cargo space. The rear backrest could be flopped down to extend the flat-floor bay to a full five feet in length. As a stylish, omfortable, maller hauler for the buyer who'd outgrown sports cars, he Volvo P1800 ES was and still is hard to beat. Due to the limited numbers of only just over 8,000 cars, he Volvo P1800 ES is a coveted collector's item today. For this reason, he wagon-coupe ES has achieved significantly higher prices than the Volvo P1800 coupe (one P 1800 ES recently sold for $73,900 and another for $92,000).________________________________________________The "E" in the 1800 reflects the B20 fuel injected engine that was only sold in the coupe for 1970 and 1971. In 1972 and 1973, olvo produced the P1800es sports wagon with the same engine, hich put out 135 hp.________________________________________________Text - article by Don Thibault, ell known Volvo parts dealer: Article on Restoring and Restoring Costs for Volvo P1800ES"It's sort of a souped-down Ferrari."Would you like to own a Brand New Volvo P1800ES, ust like it came from the dealer's showroom floor in 1973? Well unless you can get hold of Professor Peabody's "Way Back Machine' from my favorite cartoon show - Rocky & Bullwinkle, his will be your best alternative! Sorry, he car's price didn't stay the same.Sure, ou can get an 1800 wagon for under $10K in "decent" shape, ut read this from Hemmings:Don Thibault (p1800.com) who for over 20 years, as been restoring/selling 1800s from his Cape Cod shop, nd offers a wide catalog of parts says: "Every car I sell is over $25,000, nd I usually have five people fighting for it," he said. He cautioned that restorations can become expensive. "I get customers who spend $30,000 and $40,000 restoring these cars. You could easily spend 10 grand on the body, hree to four grand on the rechroming, our grand on the interior--it adds up quickly."________________________________________________Hemmings goes on to say:As a daily driver, he 1800 is just about unbeatable, hanks to its durability, arts availability, nd performance that allows it to keep up with modern cars. "The Volvo P1800 is perhaps the only vintage car that can still be driven on a daily basis even today," said Irv Gordon, ho ought to know--he's been driving his 1800S every day since he bought it new in 1966, utting a staggering 2.6 million miles on the car. In case you're wondering, es, hat is a world record, ne that's recognized by the folks at Guinness. "Volvo has done a terrific job of keeping many parts still available, nd even those that haven't been available are now being reproduced by Volvo and others," Irv said. "The car is of unibody construction and therefore rattle free. The body is of double panel construction with crumple zones, einforced doors, collapsible steering column as well as three point seat belts...There is nothing in the automotive world like a true survivor in original, xcellent condition. _________________________________________________Here is an interesting history on the P1800 by Dan Jedlicka:1961-73 Volvo P1800 The Volvo P1800 sports coupe seemed to come out of nowhere. It took everyone by surprise when it arrived in 1961 because Volvo was considered a sober Swedish automaker known to most Americans for plain-looking, ugged family cars. Volvo actually had made a few fiberglass-body sports cars called the Sport in the 1950s, ut they came and went so fast you missed them if you blinked.Volvo was in fact far more adventuresome than most Americans thought. Assar Gabrielsson, olvo's founder, ad come to the United States in 1953 to study the market here and to examine the then-new fiberglass-body Chevrolet Corvette at its Flint, ich., ssembly line. He felt that money could be made with a fiberglass body sports car. Volvo's first family car for the American market was its PV444 two-door sedan, hich had been sold in Sweden for years but arrived here in 1956, ooking much like a 1946 Ford. It was light and fast enough to beat sports cars on tracks with its rigged dual carburetor four-cylinder engine and floor-mounted manual-transmission shifter. Gabrielsson arranged to have California's Glasspar outfit, hich made fiberglass bodies for the zoomy Kaiser-Darrin sports car, uild a prototype Volvo sports car using PV444 components. The rather awkward-looking Sport debuted at the Brussels Motor Show in 1955, nd brochures for the car were printed for the U.S. market. But few here even knew about the PV444, o there were hardly any takers for the Sport. Only 67 were made in 1956 and 1957 before the car was dropped. But the Sport's failure didn't discourage Volvo, hich continued to eye the booming U.S. sports car market. Helmer Petterson, ho had styled the 1944-57 PV444, onvinced new Volvo chief Gunnar Engellau to try another sports car for the U.S. market. Engellau felt the new car—the P1800--would have a better chance of succeeding if styled in Italy, he world's exotic sports car capital. Thus, taly's veteran exotic car design outfit Ghia and its subsidiary, rua, ere contacted.Petterson's son, elle, ad gone to work for Frua and, s it turned out, ngellau selected a P1800 design done by young Petterson. The design carried the Ghia stamp, nd Engellau didn't know young Petterson had been involved.The P1800 didn't look like the Sport or an old Ford. It had a beautifully shaped low roof and curvy lines. Up front was a Ferrari-style "eggcrate" grille, nd modest tailfins at the rear seemed to hover above bullet-shaped pod taillights.Dashing actor Roger Moore, ho later became famous for portraying James Bond in movies, as widely seen racing around in a P1800 in episodes of "The Saint" television series of the 1960s.Many thought Volvo had taken leave of its senses when the P1800 arrived. The PV444 was quickly followed by the very similar PV544, hich also did well on tracks. It made Volvo widely known to many Americans until dropped in 1965 and established the automaker's reputation for durability and ruggedness. The P1800 thus seemed as if it would be plenty trustworthy to its first-time buyers.The P1800, hich had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, oon became the sports car of choice—mainly among conservative folks drawn to the stolid Volvo nameplate. Most American sports car buyers stuck with more adventuresome cars such as the Jaguar, G, riumph, ustin-Healey and Chevrolet Corvette.Volvo's production lines were jammed with its new Amazon sedan, hich was built with the PV544, nd eventually succeeded it. So Volvo farmed out construction of the P1800 unit body/chassis structure to the Jensen auto facilities in England—although production was transferred to Sweden a few years later.The first Frua-built P1800 prototypes were at the New York and Brussels auto shows in early 1960, here many showgoers doubtlessly said, That's a Volvo!?" Production didn't begin until mid-1961.Road & Track magazine grabbed an early production prototype and reported that the P1800 "is a true sports car of a type we can expect to become extremely popular."The P1800 body was made of steel, ot fiberglass. The sporty interior had bucket seats and lots of gauges in an instrument panel overly stylized for a sports car. It was clear Volvo was just learning about the sports car market.But the large front orthopedically designed seats were comfortable, he trunk was useful and the heating/ventilation system was good, hich couldn't be said for many rivals. "Because America is a land of extremes in weather, he (P1800) is better suited to American use than are many imports," Road & Track noted.The P1800 was mainly promoted as a two-seater, ut had a tiny backseat like the Austin-Healey sports car.Volvo wasn't about to take changes on exotic components, o the P1800 was based on the sturdy Amazon. A four-speed manual transmission with overdrive shot power to a conventional coil-sprung rigid rear axle. The front suspension also had a commonplace coil-spring design. The 2,400-pound P1800 was fairly light, o acceleration was decent. So were steering, andling and braking. The car still has excellent power and is a dream to drive on the highway, asily capable of cruising at 95 mph in 5th overdrive.But nobody said the P1800 was exciting. It wasn't supposed to be an all-out sports car. Rather, olvo just wanted a solid sporty auto that would enhance its image and make it a few extra dollars by being a steady seller. Volvo kept refining the P1800. By late 1964 it transferred production from England to its expanded facilities in Sweden. There were minor cosmetic changes, nd the 1964 model's name was changed to 1800S. Road & Track said in 1967 that the auto "still has a lot of appeal...and still is a soundly constructed, ugged car that offers decent value for the money." The engine was enlarged to two liters in 1968 and horsepower rose to 118. Fuel injection was added to the 1969 model—called the 1800E. The dashboard was redone, nd horsepower rose to 130, aking the 1800E fairly quick. It still wasn't the fastest thing on the block, ut could cruise all day at 80 mph. And it had a beefed-up gearbox and new four-wheel disc brakes, esides new cast alloy wheels.The P1800 tailfins actually looked a little dated even in 1961, o the car really began to look old by 1971. That's when Volvo again surprised everyone by offering it as a sports/GT station wagon it called the P1800ES. To make the "sports wagon", olvo chopped off the coupe's roof and substituted a "squareback" style with long rear windows, akishly slanted back roof pillars and a frameless lift-up glass hatch.The original P1800 thus became a "sports wagon" with a new look and more utility. It was still tight in back, espite more headroom, ut there was additional cargo space. Volvo widened the wheels and tires to handle heavier loads, nd an automatic transmission became an option.It was hard to top the Frua-designed P1800ES if you had outgrown sports cars and wanted a racy small wagon. It did well before Volvo ceased production in June, 973, lthough some were sold as 1974 models.Volvo sold 39,407 P1800 coupes and approximately 8,078 P1800ES wagon versions of it, o sales of its sporty car totaled 47,485 units from 1961 through 1973.Not bad for a car from an automaker most regarded as bland!____________________________________________________Rarity With Appreciating ValueIn 2014 several of these cars sold at auction for sums in excess of $80,000. Wayne Carini's (Chasing Classic Cars TV show and SCM Magazine) December 2014 article in Forbes predicted $100,000 sales in 2015.This rare car has an enthusiastic worldwide following. The expansive glass space and beauty of the car being fit for a queen in slumber.It was quite expensive, ven when new, nd was more expensive than the Corvette of the same year. Technologically advanced, eaturing Bosch d-jetronic fuel injection, wheel disc brakes and unique styling, he car soon realized a cult following that has stayed with it through today. Styling influences from this very car are easily seen on the back of the new volvo c30 series cars, ith it's signature large rear backlight area. Most collector cars are impractical to utilize as daily drivers, owever, his Volvo P1800ES is just the opposite. Many of these cars have several hundred thousand miles on them, s their owners found them reliable, conomical, porty, nique, ractical and most of all fun to drive. This was a coveted piece of art kept dry and safe by a long time Volvo club of America member.The vehicle rides on original factory styled steel wheels with correct rings and new tires. All rubber parts were in excellent shape or they were replaced. Glass is original and in good condition.The interior is only 3 years old since its installation and in superb shape. Excellent and supple original leather/vinyl interior. The dash pad is new, xcellent and original to this car. New carpet installed. Factory console and floor shifter. Original gauges in place. New headliner and sun shades.Stainless trim is generally excellent, xcept for dings on side trim from car doors opening into my vehicle (...what can I say about other drivers with no respect for Classics on the road?). Otherwise, hrome is in good condition. You may want to re-chrome front bumper.This car runs, rives and stops exactly like it is supposed to do. Except as noted, verything works the way it was intended by the manufacturer.If you follow the collector car market, ou know these are about the hottest cars in the entire marketplace. Picked as a prime car for appreciation recently by Wayne Carini, he last four nice cars at auction each sold for in excess of $80k! Buy, old, njoy and make a good investment.The personal items in the photographs are not included. They are meant to demonstrate the original sporting nature of the gentleman's weekender. Golf clubs fit fine too.=====================================================Other Recent Volvo P1800ES Sales:An almost identical P1800ES recently sold at Bonhams Greenwich 2014 Auction for $92,400 US!Another P1800ES recently sold for over $73,000.===================================NOTES:PLEASE NOTE, I HAVE DONE MY VERY BEST TO DESCRIBE THIS VEHICLE IN ADDITION TO THE VISUAL ASPECTS, UT I AM NOT YOU. IF YOU WANT TO COME AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE I WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU AND SHOW THE P1800ES. IF YOU CANNOT VISIT DURING BUSINESS HOURS EMAIL OR CALL ME AND I WILL MEET YOU ANYTIME OF THE WEEK! (EXCEPT SUNDAY)I PREFER TO WORK WITH BUYERS DIRECTLY, OT THIRD PARTY INSPECTORS (MOST OF THESE SERVICE INSPECTORS ARE TRAINED IN LATE MODEL VEHICLES AND THEIR INSPECTION TEMPLATES DO NOT APPLY TO CLASSIC OR ESPECIALLY MODIFIED VINTAGE VEHICLES).AN EXCELLENT INVESTMENT AND SOMETHING YOU CAN ENJOY DAILY. THIS COLLECTIBLE VINTAGE VEHICLE HAS HISTORICALLY APPRECIATED AT A RATE GREATER THAN THE STOCK MARKET, OLD AND OTHER ARTS & COLLECTIBLES AS DOCUMENTED BY MANY ARTICLES AND AUCTION RESULT TRACKING.MILEAGE IS EXEMPT. I AM SELLING THIS CLASSIC CAR AS MILEAGE EXEMPT. THAT MEANS WHAT I HAVE LISTED IN THE AD IS WHAT THE ODOMETER CURRENTLY READS. IT IS BASED ON REBUILD INFORMATION, ROVIDED ON RECIEPT RECORDS AND CANNOT BE USED AS FACT, F THE ENGINE AND OR BODY/CHASSIS. ALSO, OU CANNOT DO A CARFAX OR AUTOCHECK ON ANY VEHICLE OLDER THAN A 1981.Please note that this listing has been made ONLY with Ebay. Other Web listings, uch as Oodle.com, aggleMe.com, ehicleSearch.com, tc. have copied this ad from Ebay and are not authorized to do so, nd may be providing incorrect information in order to get your money illegally. Beware of impersonators.