Volvo P1800 Jensen 1961 - 110,075 KM

- Original “sun” hubcaps

- FFVE certificate

- Blank technical control

- Excellent mechanical condition

Designed in 1957, the Volvo P1800 Jensen is the result of an alliance between the Swedish manufacturer Volvo and the British coachbuilder Jensen Motors. Presented at the Brussels Motor Show in 1960, it was in contrast to Volvo's usual productions. A production phase took place from 1961 to 1963 during which 6,000 units were created. The model has a 100-horsepower B18 engine and a 4-speed manual transmission.

Launched in 1961, this Volvo P1800 Jensen still has a certain amount of mystery about its history. Its number of owners and its origin are not known. It passed into the hands of a French owner from 1998 to 2023, to be purchased by its current owner in March 2023. This copy is in a good general condition. It has the chassis number 530 out of the 6,000 produced from 1961 to 1963. Its body, in a burgundy red color, is in good general condition. The paint, which was redone a few years ago, would require two times on the doors in order to correct small imperfections. Apart from this detail, the paint offers brilliance and depth and the body has no scratches or impacts. Inside, this Volvo P1800 Jensen has a white “boat” interior typical of Jensen models and consistent with the origin. The interior of the doors, the front and rear seats and the dashboard are in excellent condition. The on-board instrumentation is functional, apart from the tachometer, which will be replaced for sale.

In terms of mechanics, this Volvo P1800 Jensen was extensively refurbished in July 2023 by the French model specialist. Here is part of the work done: reconditioning the front and rear brakes — Mastervac replacement — replacement of the mastervac — repair of the rims —dismantling and replacing the carburetor — replacing the fuel pump, tank and gauge — steering flector — deck straps — deck straps — draining engine, gearbox, bridge and over-drive — draining engine, gearbox, bridge and over-drive — complete exhaust line — replacing the hoses —replacing the battery. This example has 110,075 kilometers on the odometer (not guaranteed but consistent with the overall condition of the vehicle) and has excellent mechanical functioning. The engine is operating normally and there is no noise during driving. The water and oil temperature gauges work well, which is notable for these examples.

Maintained by a model specialist, this copy has a complete history for several years, allowing you to consult the work carried out. The tires are new and the brakes were redone during the summer of 2023.

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The Volvo P1800 Jensen represents a remarkable chapter in automotive history, especially in the sports car segment of the 1960s. Resulting from the collaboration between the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo and the British bodybuilder Jensen Motors, this model embodies a fusion of elegant design and mechanical robustness.

Originally designed in 1957, the P1800 was the result of a collaboration between the Swedish designer Pelle Petterson, then employed by the Italian design studio Carrozzeria Frua, and Volvo. The model was first presented to the public at the Brussels Motor Show in 1960. Its distinctive exterior design, marked by flowing lines and a slender profile, was in sharp contrast to the more conservative Volvo models of the time.

Production of the P1800 began in 1961 in the United Kingdom, subcontracted to Jensen Motors, a decision motivated by Volvo's lack of production capacity in Sweden. The first units were assembled in West Bromwich, with mechanical components shipped from Sweden. This production phase lasted until 1963, during which around 6,000 units were produced. On the mechanical side, the P1800 was initially equipped with a 1.8 liter B18 four-cylinder engine, capable of producing 100 horsepower. This engine was coupled to a four-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive, or to a three-speed automatic transmission. The car had a disc brake system at the front and drums at the rear, a typical configuration for the time.

The P1800's cabin reflected a simple but functional approach, with comfortable seats and a comprehensive dashboard. Although the vehicle was not designed as a high-performance sports car, its road capabilities were respectable, with a top speed of around 170 km/h and an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in around 11 seconds. In 1963, Volvo used quality issues with the bodies produced by Jensen to transfer production to its own factory in Gothenburg, Sweden. This marked the end of the P1800 “Jensen”, although production of the P1800 continued in various forms until 1973. The examples produced by Jensen today appear to be more qualitative than those built later Volvo having rationalized production, many small details disappear, the interior is commoditized, the front bumper loses the mustaches characteristic of this example.

The Volvo P1800 Jensen gained particular fame thanks to its appearance in the TV series “The Saint”, where actor Roger Moore was driving one of these cars. This media exposure has greatly contributed to the popularity and iconic image of the model. Today, the Volvo P1800 Jensen is considered a classic, sought after for its distinctive design and its unique place in the history of Volvo and the sports car of the 1960s. An example of P1800 holds the world record for distance covered with more than 5 million kilometers on the clock until the death of its first owner in 2018.

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