For classic car enthusiasts, the name Volvo may not be the first that comes to mind when thinking of highly desirable and valuable collector cars. But the legendary 1967 Volvo 1800S coupe deserves a spot in any conversation about iconic European sports cars of the 1960s.
Unveiling the Icon: The 1967 Volvo 1800S Saga
The story of the 1967 Volvo 1800S begins in the mid-1950s when Volvo sought to move beyond its reputation for building safe and sensible family vehicles. The Swedish automaker wanted a “halo” sports car that could draw admiring eyes to its showrooms and boost exports, particularly in the crucial American market.
Volvo’s first attempt was the rather quirky P1900 sports car in 1956, a small fiberglass-bodied roadster. But it was plagued with quality issues and only 68 examples were built before the plug was pulled in 1957.
Undeterred, Volvo started over with a new sports coupe project that would become the iconic 1800 series. This time they based it on the sturdy chassis and mechanicals of the upcoming Amazon sedan, with gorgeous Italian styling by Frua.
The Evolution of the Volvo 1800 Series
The first prototype P1800 (the P was soon dropped) was hand-built in 1957 and shown to the German coachbuilder Karmann with hopes they would produce the car. But Volkswagen threatened to cancel their business with Karmann if they took on the Volvo project, seen as a future competitor to the era’s blossoming affordable German sports cars.
Volvo ended up contracting with Jensen in England to build the P1800, with the production model making its debut at the 1960 Brussels Motor Show. The first examples were built by Jensen, with bodies supplied by a Scottish firm, before production moved to Sweden in 1963 and the name switched to the 1800S.
With its gracefully curved bodylines, elegant greenhouse, subtle fins, and egg-crate grille, the 1800 achieved the perfect balance of Swedish pragmatism and Italian flair. Up front was Volvo’s 1.8-liter B18 inline-four engine producing a modest but respectable 100 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission.
In 1967, the year of our featured 1800S, displacement was increased to 1.8 liters and the twin-carb engine made 115 horsepower. Styling updates included attractive new grillework and revised side trim that gave an even cleaner appearance.
The 1800S accomplished exactly what Volvo had hoped – it put the brand on many enthusiasts’ radars, thanks in no small part to its frequent television appearances on the hit show The Saint starring a dapper and charming Roger Moore.
While not an outright performance car in the mold of the Jaguar E-Type or the “Affordable Exotic” Datsun 240Z that followed a few years later, the 1800S offered style, comfort, and just enough pep to put big smiles on the faces of its owners.
1967 Volvo 1800S Values Today
Like many vintage European and Japanese sports cars of the era, the 1967 Volvo 1800S has developed a healthy following among collectors over the past couple of decades. Well-preserved and original 1800S models are highly sought after in today’s market.
According to the latest data, the average 1967 Volvo 1800S value in excellent condition is $32,000. Concours-level examples have sold for over $50,000, while driver-quality cars range from the low to mid $20,000s.
So what pushes a Volvo 1800S 1967 into that upper pricing tier? Several factors including:
- Exceptionally low mileage and original condition
- Excellent documentation and provenance
- Desirable factory colors and options
- History as a promotional car, show car, or celebrity-owned vehicle
Beyond collectibility, the 1967 1800S has also proven to be a prudent investment over time. Values have even increased by over 60% in the last 10 years.
With classic car values showing no signs of moderating, the appreciation of a well-bought and preserved 1967 Volvo 1800S will likely continue its upward climb. The lasting popularity of this timelessly stylish Swedish GT shows no sign of fading.
Finding Your Vintage Volvo
If a 1967 Volvo 1800S is on your classic car want list, a bit of patience may be required to find the right example at the right price. With fewer than 25,000 produced that year, they don’t come up for sale frequently.
Once you’ve located a prime candidate, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a professional classic Volvo specialist is an absolute must. Sorting out any needs for bodywork, engine rebuilds, or interior refurbishing upfront will pay dividends down the road.
After purchase, making sure your vintage Volvo is properly maintained and insured is critical for protecting your investment. Premium insurance from a provider like Classic Auto ensures your 1967 1800S is covered at its full agreed value, with provisions for spare parts and expert repairs.
Protect Your Vintage Volvo with Classic Auto
The 1967 Volvo 1800S is an automotive icon that was truly ahead of its time, blending European sophistication with Swedish build quality and dependability. With its sporting lines penned by Italian designers and grand touring driving manners, it brought a sense of attainable exoticism to the masses over half a century ago. Protect it with the best coverage on the market.
With benefits like inflation guard, rollover miles, and nationwide roadside assistance, we go the extra mile to safeguard your automotive heritage. Take the necessary steps today to protect your investment by reaching out to our knowledgeable insurance specialists at 888-901-1338 or by obtaining an instant quote online. Preserve the beauty, history, and joy of your classic for years to come with Classic Auto’s unwavering commitment to the collector car community.
