Volvo P1800: Classic Spy Car - XCAR

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James Bond is the ultimate gentleman spy. He has to coolest toys, hottest women and best one liners. But his taste in cars is liable to get him killed. I mean, rocking around in an Aston is going to draw attention to yourself isn't it? So why not try a Volvo? A Volvo P1800 to be precise...
I say this because Simon Templar, the Saint, used one. His P1800 S is one of television's most iconic motors and, I think, one of the better spy cars.
The Volvo P1800 is Volvo's second crack at a sports car. Its first, the P1900 was not a rousing success. They sold (almost literally) a handful and went off the idea of making anything sporty for a while.
The P1800 project was a labour of love and, as with all these things, had a rocky start. Volvo couldn't make the car itself, so sought out the help of Karmann. Karmann were initially keen but their chief client, Volkswagen, wasn't happy about a secondary partnership with a rival. The deal was killed and the P1800's future was in doubt.
Stiff upper lips and the famous British work ethic stepped in to save the day -- Jensen threw its hat into the ring and won the contract. The firm was to make 10,000 cars. It didn't. It only got through 6,000 before Volvo politely asked them to stop. Why? Because while British engineering was top notch, our ability to actually build cars was not. At all.
Volvo took P1800 production in house for the rest of its run, creating the P1800 S, E and ES (an estate thingy).
Simon Templar's involvement with the car is pretty simple -- the show's producers asked Jaguar for an E-Type and they said no. As with many things, the second choice ended up with the better deal.
I'm not saying the E-Type was in any way forgotten, but how stratospherically famous would it have been if it had been the Saint's motor? Thought so...
Specs
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder
Power: 96bhp
Torque: 103lb ft
0-60mph: 11.9seconds
Top speed: 107mph
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VIDEOS IN ENDBOARD
BMW M1: bit.ly/1z5mGl1
Charles Morgan and his Aeromax: bit.ly/1DEXXni

[@rodfromcranston]

I owned a P1800 for 16 years. This makes me want to somehow find a restored one, and relive those times.

[@mikeking733]

Simon Templar [The Saint] was not a spy. I do not recall any spy using this car. Having said that, it is a classic beauty of a car ! !

[@gabevisser]

Nice video, I do own a Volvo 1800 (1966) by myself. I love it!

[@KroK013]

Great video. I like that you did the entire thing in B/W. Don't get me wrong, I love a nice transition from black and white into color and vice versa, but those shots of Alex with his sleeves rolled up are absolutely perfect.

[@seinsmeld13]

Excellent car. The one that was owned by a U.S. teacher that had a few million miles on it died recently. His car was great.

[@BanijayComedy]

Colin Furze would love a go in this...

[@LysergikFuneral]

Love these cars. The answer to a fast yet subtle car is a P1800 with a Chevrolet LSx swapped in.

[@Gewehr_3]

I love The Saint!!

[@wizardskills]

Nice video. I so nearly purchased a P1800 a couple of years back but the good ones were just outside of my price range. I ended up going for a Mk1 Triumph GT6 in the end and I haven't looked back.

[@YouArentSlick]

The sport wagon version arguably looks better. Beautiful either way, but to me the glass on the sport wagon is so beautiful

[@wurlitzer895]

Very subjective. I've owned a 1966 1800S for over 30 years, and have always preferred the coupé to the ES. It's just personal preference at the end of the day.

[@heimatschutz]

One of the most beautiful cars ever. - And I crashed my golden (!) 1972 model.

[@elsiekaminski8588]

Had a 1968 1800 and am in the accessory brochure-a former employee of Volvo Inc

[@cptfrecell]

This needs 10 times more views!

[@laroccavlogga]

Ha,ha... the bit about the gauges dancin' about is so true. Add the fact that there are no side mirrors and yes, these cars can be exciting and scary ta drive. Easy thumb up.

[@jimmurphy3045]

My p1800 handles great will do 110 all day

[@marts500]

Driving around Monte Carlo etc in a DBS is keeping a low profile.Go down there in a clapped out Vauxhall Vectra and see who gets noticed.

[@ketchup5344]

I 💖this special car. I drove the wheels off one in the ninetees. Loved it. I recently had a jaguar xk8 convertible but sold it. Wish I hadnt😢 Theres something about a special car isnt there? Deffinately they can come to mean more than the average possesion we have in our lives. Nice review!!👍👍

[@MrRaitzi]

I used to own a red 64 model.

[@ronplucksstrings7112]

Nice car...nice video! ...but don't complain about the gauges not working...they also were British supplied, and we know about British car electrics...!

[@MajTom-wd2yt]

4:12...nope. The "P" was dropped and from then on it was known as the Volvo 1800s.

[@OMENAKAKKU-xe1nt]

i wishd id had 2 p1800s 67 and 71. i like it

[@DAVIDE-bk8by]

and I owned a black (originally grey) 64 cowhorn model and drove it nearly everyday for 6 years...why did I sell it?!

[@RockinAristocratMusi]

Swingin'! Absolutely Marvy. Well done lads! Gotta have the songs at 4:14 and 6:57, respectively. Names and artists, please?

[@mikkolaine3263]

What is that song in the begining???? Nice video😉👍

[@nicfewer8393]

Roger Moore drove one in real life, too and still drives a Volvo.

[@philrulon]

I hope that you will have a chance to drive one that has been restored as well mechanically as it has been cosmetically. The tragedy, these days, is that a swell paint job passes for a restoration. All of the complaints you make in this presentation can be attributed to negligence in the chassis maintenance. Though not fast in the extreme, they were capable of reliable, consistent, comfortable, high speed cruising. Among British sports cars of the day, they were second only to the E-Type.

[@eduardogatoify]

Irv Gordon haz 3 millon miles with these car, gotta respect dat!

[@atharvaatre3273]

best review ever

[@bokibiz]

I love this car

[@johannesr9166]

So what you are saying about the fact that spys should drive completely inconspicuous cars means, that todays James Bond should drive a VW Golf?

[@hoodagooboy5981]

Grinds gears going into 2nd. "It's not me",........... it's you.

[@riochcogan8913]

Great review. Thanks.

[@hejmuesli]

lovely

[@roystone9682]

nice shape car.

[@K0E0M0O]

LOVE IT

[@Vehiclevideo]

Excellent report! Thoroughly enjoyed your style. I love the car. Sadly had to sell mine due to it needing what I couldn't afford to give her but not before shooting my own video for posterity. Search... Volvo 1800E Colorado Run

[@MrRaitzi]

Well, MOT guy made a good offer and I wanted something newer for a change :)

[@maykelsokolov3498]

Music from 007

[@TheHeftyDanielson]

If you don't want to be spotted, get a Mondeo or a Rang Rover, every one seems to be driving them these days.

[@XR4turbo]

It was a mistake to do this is in black & white. The colors of the cars of this era are very important.

[@zurcherzurich213]

...no, atmospere is better ;)

[@bog300]

anyone know what car in the intro

[@peterfranks6243]

I'll bet Jaguar where kicking themselves

[@rs_cuber4394]

Just came to this video after seeing the real car that played in the movie

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

This nerd is a trip.

[@yves2348]

Oh c´mon, fix that gearbox and instruments and do some work all around. That car deserves better ! (Yes, I´m restoring one these days 😊)

[@ТВ-программы]

What so g is 02:15

[@maykelsokolov3498]

Need

[@hxrxlx]

this car is use too in fast furios 5

[@cptfrecell]

Is it?

[@benhur_9377]

❤

[@volvofansthesaint9465]

Volvofan .... OK Spy-car

[@DAVIDE-bk8by]

ok....I think we both made the wrong decision ;)

[@andrewoliver7991]

The only thing cool about that review, was the car. Volvo cool.

[@ss9c1]

LMAO Typical old Smiths gauges.

[@muhdelyas-abgyas562]

OMG, You have hair...

[@muhdelyas-abgyas562]

hehehe, thanks, didn't expect a reply on an old video. Nice channel btw..Keep it up !