
Address.
The Bexhill 100 Motoring Club
PO Box 159
Bexhill - on - Sea
East Sussex
TN39 3XE
Bexhill 100 Motoring Club
Copyright 2011-2012 Bexhill 100 Motoring Club
Bexhill on Sea - The Birthplace of British Motor Racing (1902)
e-mail: bexhill100@bexhill100mc.co.uk

Volvo P1800/P1800S 1961-72










Engine
4 cylinder in-line,
8 overhead valves
Displacement: 1,780cc
Bore: 84.1mm
Stroke: 80mm
Compression ratio: 10 - 1
Valves: 2 per cylinder
Carburettors: two
Power output: 103bhp at 5,600rpm
Transmission
5 forward speed manual,
with overdrive
Rear wheel drive
Brakes
Hydraulic PA, Front: disc
Rear: drum
Performance
Maximum speed: 111mph
Acceleration: 0-60 mph 11.9secs
Overall fuel consumption: 24mpg
Steering
Cam & roller
Suspension
Front & Rear: coil & wishbone, telescopic dampers with Panhard rod at rear
Construction
Pressed steel monocoque
Wheels
15in, pressed steel
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 96.5in
Track front: 51.7in
Track front: 51.7in
Overall length: 173.2in
Overall width: 67in
Overall height: 51in
Ground clearance: 6inKerb weight: 2,383lb
Fuel tank: 10gal
Production
1961 -1972
Total production of
P1800/1800S Coupés (1961-72): 39,407
Miscellaneous:
This Volvo model became very famous as a result of its role in the films about "The Saint" in which the hero Simon Templar (Roger Moore) drove the car.
Early in 1959, Volvo presented a new sports car, two years after the previous attempt with the Volvo Sport, with a body made of fibreglass-reinforced polyester. The new car was initially known as the Volvo Sport, but it later became known as the P1800. This new sports car had Italian styling and production began in 1961. As Volvo did not have the capacity to build the car itself, production during the first years was contracted to England. A company called Pressed Steel made the bodies, while the final assembly took place at Jensen. The Volvo P1800 was based on the floorpan of the Volvo 121/122S, but it had a shorter wheelbase. The car also had an entirely new 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder engine which developed 100 bhp. Over the years, the car was developed primarily by the introduction of new engine alternatives. In the autumn of 1968, a 2.0-litre engine with an output of 118 bhp was introduced. It was followed in 1969 by a version with fuel injection and an even higher output. Penny and Ernie bought the car in 2008 from a man called BOY hence the number plate “BOY 88”. The car has been resprayed by the previous owner they think it was Blue. This car type was used in the TV Film “The Saint” Roger Moor owned a Green one when he lived in Cooden, it is believe that one was Green. The Volvo P1800 was the second choice for filming they wanted a Jag, but the company didn’t provide one. Volvo shipped the P1800 over and also supplied a second one to be cut in half for the filming. This as you would expect helped put this car on the map
Click on picture to increase to full size, then click on arrow to move from picture to picture.