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For a long time, Volvo Cars was best known for sturdy, spacious cars cherished for their safety. But in the 1960s, we revealed a new side making our first big entry into sports cars.
The 1800 series: when Volvo made a sports car
The year is 1960. We’re entering the new decade in style, introducing what would become an immortal classic of timeless elegance and charm: the Volvo P1800.
It wasn’t our first attempt at making a sports car. A few years earlier, we launched the convertible Volvo Sport, but only 67 units were produced. However, the two-seater roadster nevertheless inspired us to continue down the road of sports cars, eventually leading to significantly greater success.
“A combination of elegance, reliability and safety, the P1800 is more than a car; it's a rolling piece of art that has stood the test of time”.
Breaking new ground
With its elegant flair and Swedish innovation, the P1800 was a breath of fresh air in the Volvo Cars line-up. It was a far cry from the boxy yet classic designs that would come in the following decades. But in recent times, as rounder curves have made a comeback, it’s obvious where the designers found their inspiration.
Due to limited capacity in Sweden, this brand-new sports car was initially made in the UK. But by 1963, production could finally be moved to our hometown of Gothenburg, and the model was rebranded as the Volvo 1800 S.
Sporty and reliable
Sports car or not, being a Volvo, the P1800 was highly reliable; it boasted a powerful engine and was robustly built. It was the first car to feature our revolutionary three-point seatbelt, which was to become a true game-changer in car safety.
And speaking of reliability, one 1800 S owner actually holds the world record for the most mileage with a single car: a whopping 5,400,000 km. What could be a better testament to the robustness and durability of our cars?
A bridge to today
The final variant of the beloved series, the 1800 ES, was produced in 1972 and 1973. Its standout feature? A large, frameless glass tailgate offering a spacious and versatile cargo area. This design has survived to this day – just take a look at the all-electric Volvo EC40.
The legacy of the P1800 lives on. With its timeless elegance and enduring reliability, it inspires the design and innovation of today’s Volvo models, bridging the past and the future.
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