Volvo - Volvo P1800
The Volvo P1800 was built from 1961 to cater for the sports car market, built on the base of the Volvo Amazon. It's a model made famous by being the car Simon Templar used in the series "The Saint" which ran from 1961 to 1969. Various prototypes for the bodywork were built at Frua and the version chosen lay dormant for a long time until a bodywork manufacturer could be found to make the monocoque construction, after Volvos initial choice of company fell through. Eventually Jensen undertook the job in the UK, with the pressings made at Linwood in Scotland with the final assembly at Jensen. By 1963 production moved from Jensen to the Volvo factory. The P1800 was first sold with the new 1780cc engine giving 90 bhp, and what was called the 1800S when the P1800 got assembled in Sweden (S for Svergie), when a little more power was also found. For 1964 the Volvo engine was enlarged to 1985 cc and fuel injected to give 130 bhp with the 1800E. The final fuel injected 1800ES version were detuned a little producing 125 bhp. The Volvo P1800 production went on to 1972. The 1972 / 1973 1800ES estate car set the scene for many future Volvo designs.
Volvo P1800 tyre size was originally 165R15. But by the end of production the Volvo 1800 ES Coupe was fitted by the factory with the wider 185/70R15 size, which is the same diameter as the 165R15 size. Blockley produces both these 165VR15 and 185/70VR15 tyre sizes - see full details below:
