Footnotes

• Introduced in 1960 and popularised by The Saint television series, starring Roger Moore, Volvo's pretty P1800 sports coupé, although no hairy-chested tyre-shredder, was nonetheless something of a radical departure for the sober-sided Swedish concern. Based on the 121 saloon, the P1800 was built initially by Jensen Motors in West Bromwich. Breathing through twin carburettors, the 1.8-litre engine produced 100bhp, an output sufficient to propel the solidly built coupé to a top speed of around 105mph. The running gear was conventional, with independent front suspension and live rear axle, and all versions came with servo-assisted front disc brakes. Production of the P1800 was transferred to Sweden in 1963. A capacity increase to 1,985cc was followed by the adoption of Bosch electronic fuel injection in 1969 on the P1800E. Maximum power increased to 130bhp, and four-wheel disc brakes were standardised at the same time.
  
  This concours-standard Volvo P1800E has undergone a complete 'last nut and bolt' restoration and comes with bills and a detailed photographic record of the works carried out. More than 2,500 hours of labour went into the project and many thousands of pounds were spent to achieve the exemplary standard of finish seen here. 'GBH 125K' also comes with numerous original documents, including the original purchase receipt and letters from previous owners. Also on file is a HM Customs & Excise receipt for import duty of £415.37 dated 23/2/72, and a C&E letter of the same date acknowledging payment of customs charges by the official importer. Written by the second owner, a letter on file dated 10/2/1995 states that the Volvo was owned from new by a Mrs Hill and remained in Buckinghamshire for its first 24 years. Always garaged, the car went into storage in 1987 at Mrs Hill's house, by which time it had covered a mere 18,700 miles.
  
  In 1995, the Volvo was removed from storage and re-commissioned by a Mr P Millhouse; invoices dating from 1995-1997 show that a considerable amount of money was spent on replacing worn items and a carrying out a 30,000-mile service. In 2001, by which time the car was in Cheshire, a further £8,525 was spent on restoration works including a bare-metal re-spray and numerous replacement parts. According to the DVLA, 62 of this model are currently registered in the UK, making this one not only beautiful but also very rare. The car is offered with its original wallet and handbook, a quantity of expired tax discs, and a V5C registration document.
  

Saleroom notices

• Please be advised that the registration is incorrect in the catalogue and should read 'C37210'.