1973 VOLVO P1800 ES wagon "shooting brake" manual, AC, excellent!

1973 Volvo P1800ES 2 Door Wagon - VIN #1836354004292

I have owned this beautiful unrestored original 1973 Volvo P1800ES since early 2012, purchasing it from the prior owner, a Swedish gentleman, via a classic car dealer from Costa Mesa, California. The car has been very well maintained over its entire 45 year life. It is one of 8,000 ES models made during the 2 year only offering of the wagon or “shooting brake” body style, so it’s a bit unique and rare relative to production numbers. The ES had Italian design cues and the body was initially built by Jensen in Scotland, later moved to Volvo’s plant in Sweden (the S stands for Sweden and 1800 for the motor cc displacement). Starting in ’61 as a coupe, 1973 was the last year for the 1800 model and only the wagon was produced this final year. To me the body lines are sexy, inspiring, and the ultimate 2 door sport wagon – Volvo’s version of the Chevy Nomad. The 1800 couple was made popular by Roger Moore driving it in the series “The Saint,” and has also had notoriety with a current Guinness World Record of over 3 million miles.

My car has it all –caring owners, extensive maintenance history, all original rust free body, the awesome yellow color, the must have manual console mounted 4 speed transmission with electronic overdrive, and air conditioning.I had no interest in owning an automatic.Being from Southern California, the car is amazingly rust free. Some of the best body panels and undercarriage pans I've ever seen on a vintage Volvo, which are known to rust. In all the years I've owned it, it's only been out on nice days and I've put less than 2K miles on it, so it's come time to sell to someone who will use and enjoy it more than I have.

The car comes with extensive maintenance records dating back to '01, the majority performed by San Diego Volvo, Swedish of Santa Anna, Volvos Only of Southern California, and a trusted local shop I’ve used for decades. A rundown of the maintenance is included in one of the photos, and is also copied below and brings the car current on maintenance. In the 15 years from '01 to '17, there has been $13K spent on the car including some major items noted. Right now the car needs nothing mechanically, just turn the key and enjoy it.

I have owned numerous classic and muscle cars over my adult life and this Volvo is the most dependable I've ever had! It never fails to fire up every time and has required the bare minimum from me regarding maintenance. It sits on a trickle charger in our heated garage in the winters and fires right up come springtime.I love the fact that it’s a Bosch fuel injected B20 versus having dual carburetors. It runs and drives beautifully.

Interior:

The interior is excellent including the correctly replaced front bucket seat covers - these are the most supple, padded leather seats I've ever sat in. The interior was completely removed and all carpets were re-dyed with sound proofing panels installed in the floorboards below the carpet.Foam was sprayed into the fender cavities and this reduced road noise considerably Carpets, correct floor mats, interior door panels, rear seats, headliner, etc., all very nice original condition. There is one small tear on the inside trim panel next to right rear seat, but no fabric is missing, you barely notice it. Most everything in the dashboard, including lights, speedometer, odometer, and other gauges all work, although the radio does not play music and the clock moves, but won't keep time. The AC blows ice cold and I had it converted to modern Freon. Heater core was replaced and it keeps you warm if needed, although the fan doesn’t blow in all speeds. The dash pads have cracks and I've installed a cap on the top section and have the lower cap if you wish to install as well.

Mechanical:

The car is bone stock with the exception of wear items like wires, hoses and tires being replaced. The previous owner added performance shock absorbers and beefy IPD sway bars to the front and rear suspension – it handles incredibly well. The car has manual steering so you get a great feel for the road and really handles great and hugs turns in our roundabouts, very fun to drive. The 4 wheel disc brakes work great including the manual emergency brake lever.The shifting and clutch are silky smooth; the engine develops great power and revs smoothly, the overdrive works perfectly including the green dash light when engaged. Exhaust sounds as it should and looks great with the factory curved dual chrome tail pipes. Car is sitting on the factory styled wheels with correct center caps and original trim rings which are very hard to find, including the correct spare wheel/tire combo.The tire treads are low and could use replacing if you are going to drive it a lot.

Exterior:

The body of the car is simply amazing. Everywhere I've looked from day one until now, no rust. The floor pans, luggage compartment panels, door seams, etc., all are beautiful. There is one small spot the size of an eraser head on the left quarter panel outer lip that has a bubble, but has not changed in shape or size in all the years I've owned it. You will be hard pressed to find a nicer, tighter, original body than this one. Car appears to have all original sheet metal, glass, and trim. Doors close tight as a drum, excellent panel fitment all around including glass hatch and hood. The yellow paint looks great, has a few flaws and blemishes, but is perfect for a driver that always turns heads. The paint is shiny and original on the roof panel, doors, and the rear clip.Paint is less shiny on the hood and tops of the front fenders, but still holds a nice shine. Both bumpers were rechromed and the beltline molding was replaced with NOS.All chrome is in great shape including trim pieces, exhaust tips, etc. Underneath the hood is bone stock with new spark plug wires, some new original decals, and many hours detailing. Every ground wire was cleaned leading to silky smooth idle and operation. The spare tire well is clean enough to eat off of!

In 2004 it took 2ndplace at the West Coast VCOA meet in California, then won 1stpace at the Los Angeles Volvo meet later that year, both in the daily driver class. I've had this car in several local car shows, unrestored or survivor class, and it always shows well. I will include the judge’s sheets and comments which give it high marks for originality, the interior and overall detail.

The maintenance folder pictured comes with the car including all maintenance records and invoices, the car show materials, the original CA title copy, original blue California license plate, original manual and 2 sets of original keys.

I truly believe this to be one of the nicest unrestored P1800ES wagons in existence. You will be hard pressed to find another like it and they are only unrestored once! Prices are climbing on these cars with the $92K sale at Bonham’s auction last year, $80K sale at Exoticclassics.com, and nicer examples trading hands in the $30-$40K range regularly. I feel my price is very fair and reflects the market, conservatively for this car.

Including the description above and the numerous photos, I believe the car has been described accurately. It is a vintage, used car, therefore being sold as-is without warranty of any kind, express, implied, or otherwise. Ask any and all questions before you commit to bid or buy the car. I will assist you with shipping or pick up, but any cost is solely on the buyer. I have clear Indiana title in hand and upon receipt of payment, I can release title and folder to the new owner.

I know there are many details I'm missing here, so feel free to email and I will promptly respond. Thanks in advance for your interest in this gorgeous, head turning classic Volvo!

1973 Volvo P1800 ES - Maintenance History

DateMileageProviderDescriptionCost

9/0186,775S Diego VolvoRepair A/C

2/02Volvos OnlyReplace Oil Pressure hose & Dx$3361

Replace Fuel line, regulator, sensor

Tune up, oil change, injectors, plugs

Replace Brake Booster

Replace Computer, trans mount

Replace intake and exhaust gaskets

5/0387,283Volvos OnlyReplace throttle switch, trans solenoid$739

Replace oil send unit

10/0388,012SwedishAdjust valves, replace valve cover gaskets$307

Replace spark plugs, reset timing

11/0389,271SwedishOil Change$30

12/0389,505SwedishReplace fuel filter$55

12/0390,019SwedishReplace calipers and rotors F&R; fluid$664

12/0390,132SwedishReplace Regulator & Alternator$382

1/0491,178SwedishReplace F&R sway bars, limiter straps$400

Customer supplied sway bars

1/0492,291SwedishReplace exhaust hangers, oil, trans fluid$197

2/04South BayF&R bumpers rechrome$400

3/0493,603SwedishOil/Filter change, lube$39

7/0495,785SwedishInstall exhaust system$232

Customer supplied exhaust system

9/0496,178SwedishEFI fuel pump, ignition cable, tune up$1,175

10/0496,663SwedishRadiator cap, thermostat, coolant$174

10/0498,263SwedishFuel filter$24

5/06100,339SwedishOil/filter change, lube$47

6/06100,687SwedishReplace 2 fan belts$146

2/07102,672SwedishOil/filter change, lube$51

11/07104,155SwedishOil/filter change, lube$89

11/07104,397SwedishThrottle cable$37

3/10107,667SwedishOil and trans fluid change, adjust clutch$173

9/10108,655SwedishReplace steering coupler, F brake pads$555

10/10108,773SwedishReplace left tie rod end$135

10/10108,923SwedishCap, rotor, points, condenser$495

Replace valve cover gaskets

Adjust valves, replace rear shocks

12/10109,448SwedishReplace R brake pads, coolant flush$424

Replace headlamps, oil/filter change

12/10SwedishReplace front shocks$175

3/12111,829SwedishReplace fuel pump, filter rubber cushions$314

Customer supplied fuel pump

3/12111,883SwedishReplace intake & exhaust gaskets$1,073

Rebuild distributor, water sensor

Plugs, points, cap, rotor

1/11AASBattery$125

DashtopDash pads – upper and lower

8/12112,317MillersOil/filter, lube$29

9/13112,875MillersHeater core rebuild, tie rod end replacement$814

Cooling system flush, valve cover gasket

5/15113,324MeOil change 4 Q Castrol 20w50 filter$31

8/16113,569MillersAC system conversion$188

7/17113,758MeOil change Valvoline 20w50$30

8/17113,400MeDetail – wax and polish all paint/chrome

8/18113,455MeDetail – clay bar, Hydrosilex paint/chrome