Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Volvo P 1800 in (historic) test - a coup of European cooperation?

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created in 1962

Reading time 13min

Written by:

Olaf von Fersen

Photos:

Volvo Car Germany

3

Volvo Car Group Gothenburg

2

Volvo Car Corporation

1

Archiv

20

Volvo Car Germany

3

Volvo Car Group Gothenburg

2

Volvo Car Corporation

1

Archiv

20

Das elegante Reisemobil für zwei – Volvo P 1800

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Der "sanfte" Sportwagen war weniger auf Geschwindigkeit als auf Komfort ausgelegt.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Zierlich und stattlich zugleich: der P 1800 gleicht keinem anderen Auto.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P1800 (1961)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P1800 (1961)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P1800 Prototyp (1960)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1960) - mit hübschen Radkappen, die Karosserie wurde bei Jensen produziert

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1960) - die frühen Modelle hatten gebogene Stossstangen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1960) - Kühlergrill wie bei Ferraris der Fünfzigerjahre

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1960) - das Coupé fiel immer auf, das Design wurde in der Zeit kritisiert

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 - das neue Volvo-Sportcoupé am Genfer Autosalon 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1959) - frühes Pressebild

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Auf Wunsch und mit Overdrive erhältlich, die Zusatzoption schlug mit 800 DM zu Buche.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P1800 E (1970) - Mit Zweiliter-Motor und Bosch D-Jetronic

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Der P 1800 schon vor dem Serienstart am Genfer Autosalon 1960

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1960) - vielversprechende Zukunftsmusik der sportlichen Klasse, Produktion ab Herbst 1960 - Genfer Autosalon 1960

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1962) - im Grenzbereich

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Das Fahrverhalten ist weitestgehend unproblematisch, die Lenkung verlangt aber nach ein wenig Kraftaufwand.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1962) - für kurze Beine ist der Abstand zu den Pedalen zu gross

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Das Zweispeichen-Lenkrad dreht von Anschlag zu Anschlag 3,3-mal.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Blick auf den Mittelschalthebel, die Rundinstrumente und Schalter

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Nicht ideal umgesetzt: die Sitzgurte, die Volvo in der Automobilwelt einführte

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Für Kinder bietet der Fond genug Platz, Erwachsene stossen schnell an das niedrige Dach.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Sowohl optisch als auch technisch überzeugend: der fünffach gelagerte Vierzylinder

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Der Volvo unter nahmhafter Konkurrenz – Werbung in den USA

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 (1962) - Road & Track February 1962 - Titelblatt

You have only

3 out of 26

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The name of the Volvo P 1800, which went into production in 1961, suggests that it was designed and manufactured in Sweden. In reality, the elegant two-door car with the loyal look and shapely tail fins was produced in England and equipped with electrical components from Bosch, while the body was modeled in Italy, the country of the most famous sheet metal artists. Today, in addition to the consequences of Brexit, other intra-European conflicts are also making headlines. Did this joint automotive project succeed 60 years ago? This article reproduces an original test report from the time and shows the touring coupé in numerous historical pictures and sales brochures.

This article contains the following chapters

Sports car or not!
Interior and equipment
Excellent gearbox
The engine: velvety smooth despite 9.5:1 compression ratio
Amazingly low fuel consumption
How it drives
Heating - Seat belts - Price

Estimated reading time: 13min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Americans are very probably "to blame" for its existence. The Volvo Coupé P-1800 was probably created primarily for the US market, but has since found many friends in the old world too. This Volvo is not a "real Swede", so to speak. It is the product of a well-balanced European joint effort to which, in addition to the parent company in Gothenburg, renowned plants in England, Germany and Italy also made considerable contributions. The engine and chassis of the P-1800 came from Volvo, the steering was supplied by ZF, the electrical system was provided by Bosch, the bodywork was created in Italy, the Girling brake system, carburetor, the optional high-speed gearbox, the instruments and the pressed body parts came from England. Assembly also takes place in England...

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Photos of this article

Source: