1973 Volvo 1800ES fetches $92,400 in Bonhams auction – a classic Volvo record

The most expensive Volvo P1800 in the world.

With Volvo now on a sensible track of producing good-looking, premium Swedish cars, we have wondered if historic Volvos will start to climb in value as modern Volvos become more appealing and more upmarket. And it seems they might be. A 1973 Volvo 1800ES Sports Wagon has sold  at Bonhams Concours d’Elegance auction in Greenwich, Connecticut for a surprising $92,400 (£55k) – up to three time its pre-auction estimate – when the best P1800s seem to be able to command less than half that currently.

Mind you, this particular P1800 is a bit special.

It’s covered just 13,000 miles from new and was in the possession of its original owner right up until 2010. It was then sold on to a local buyer in New Hampshire before ending up with its current owner after a further 900 miles.

Realising just how original this P1800 was, the new owner set about fixing the few small issues it had, having it properly detailed  and putting it back to as-new condition with new calipers, hoses, pads, master cylinder and some renewing of the electrical system.

And with a big original spec – including a 28 gallon fuel tank (fitted to make fill-ups less frequent during the 1970s oil crisis), factory fitted AirCon (which still works) and overdrive, this is possibly the best P1800ES you’ll find.

And it also sets a new benchmark for Volvo’s most iconic historic model.

By Cars UK