The Volvo's legendary sportscar of 1960s

Sports LEGEND - Every automotive brand must have the legendary model of their own, there are even some brands that have more than one model that is included in the legendary category. In our opinion, usually one car model gets the legendary label if it has a such unique design then makes an extraordinary sales record that has never achieved before, or has won racing events, or able to achieve another special records within a certain period of time.

Volvo P1800 produced by Volvo start in 1961 due to the automaker company wanted to give a slightly more dynamic brand image. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

Well on this occasion, we would like to discuss about one of the legendary car models that was once owned by the Swedish car brand, Volvo back in the 1960s. And the story begins back in the 1950s, when those Swedish automaker company wanted to give a slightly more dynamic brand image and it was for this reason they then decided to do something about it by adding a coupe model later named Volvo P1800 to their sedan and family car lineup.

Volvo P1800 was the first variant produced in UK by Pressed Steel and Jensen Motors. (Picture from: MartinFromKent's Twitter)

But to produce a coupe which is always almost identical to a sports car was a new experience for Volvo, considering they have never made it before. Well, this became such a kind of tough challenge for those Swedish brand. For the design, they went to study with its experts whose at that time were mostly Italian. In short, the Swedish manufacturer came to Pietro Frua's workshop in Turin to develop classic and elegant bodywork appeared with a long snout and small cockpit which adorned by two massive and striking fins at rear.

Volvo P1800 S was the second variant made in Sweden for production control effectiveness reason started in 1963. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

As for the platform and mechanics sector, Volvo chose the Amazon 120, a longitudinal engine with a rear-wheel drive scheme and a rigid axle at the rear. However, to apply such engine, the wheelbase must be shortened by 14 cm, as a result, the 1.8 liter engine is capable of spitting out about 100 hp of power. Over the years during its production period, the engine power also evolved to 130 hp along with increasing displacement to 2 liters in 1969, and using the injection system.

Volvo P1800 S is powered by a longitudinal 1.8 liter 100 hp engine with rear-wheel drive scheme and a rigid axle at the rear. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

After that another problem arose because Volvo did not yet have the facilities to produce it, so in 1961 when the P1800 model was approved for production, the entire production process was carried out by a third party. Initially Volvo submitted the entire bodywork process including painting and final assembly to Karmann Gmbh. a German company based in Osnabrück, but they turned it down. Finally, the whole process was entrusted to be done by Pressed Steel and Jensen Motors, in England.

Volvo P1800 E was the third variant started to production in 1970, and changed its drivetrain. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

However, in 1963, the Swedish manufacturer decided to cease the previous production method because it was deemed unsatisfactory due to logistical problems as well as the final quality of the materials and the final product. Therefore, the company chose to return all production processes to Sweden, and changed the model name to Volvo P1800 S.

Volvo P1800 E is known as the variant powered by a 2 liter engine with fuel injection system. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

During more than 10 years of production until 1973, Volvo has produced several variants of this model with a total production of 47,492 units, ranging of the Volvo P1800 produced in the UK, then continued with Swedish-made, the Volvo P1800S. Then there is the Volvo P1800 E known as the variant powered by a 2 liter engine with fuel injection system. 

Volvo P1800 ES was the fourth variant started to production in 1972 with a quite strange two doors station wagon style accompanied by an all glass rear-door. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

In 1972, there's new variant with a quite strange bodywork is launched, and known as the Volvo 1800 ES. This model carries a sleek two doors station wagon style accompanied by an all glass rear-door. Could it be said that the 1800 ES model is successful model in sale, so the company produced it as many as 8,077 units during its two years of production until 1973.

Volvo P1800 ES is known as the most successful variant in sale, so the company produced it as many as 8,077 units during its two years of production until 1973. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

The Swedish-made sports coupe reaches its peak of popularity when it appears in the British television series "The Saint" starred by famous actors Roger Moore, and was produced from 1962 to 1969 in six seasons with a total of 118 episodes. In those TV series the Volvo P1800 was used as the Simon Templar's car.

Volvo P1800 Cyan is known the modern version of P1800 made by the automaker's racing division to commemorate the glory day of the model. (Picture from: CNET)

~Modern Interpretation~ It doesn't just stop there, in 2020 to commemorate the glory of the Volvo P1800, the Swedish manufacturer has revived its legendary model in a modern version named Volvo P1800 Cyan through Cyan Racing, its racing division (formerly known as Polestar). Now, this Volvo sports car legend is powered by a 2,000 cc turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of producing around 413 hp and 455 Nm of torque. The engine power is then transfers to its rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission system. Unfortunately, there's no performance numbers came out.

Volvo P1800 Cyan is powered by a 2,000 cc turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of producing around 413 hp and 455 Nm of torque. (Picture from: GridOto)

In addition to having a high-performance engine, this modern version of Volvo P1800 was a good looking, where the surface of the Volvo P1800 body is layered with a mixture of carbon fiber and high quality steel. So by using a such high-quality materials like this, the modern version of the Volvo P1800 has a very light weight, which is only 990 kg. Then as you could be seen, its legs is equipped with overhauled suspension couled with two-way dampers, then it wore the 18-inch wheels and are wrapped in high-performance tires from Pirelli P Zero. Cool, right?

As quoted of CNET, the Swedish company plans to make it in a limited number of only 100 units. While for a single unit of the Volvo P1800 Cyan to be sold start at price of $700,000 (approx Rp.10.448 billions) Although the price is expensive, it seems suitable and comparable to other high-end retro vehicles. Are You interested? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CYANCARS | CNET | ID.MOTOR1 | MARTINFROMKENT' TWITTER ]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone.