The unusual sports wagon 1800 ES is a classic from Volvos with fast price development. In the USA, the model has been sold for over 90 000 USD. Now there is one with low milage on auction in Sweden. Great potential for collectors worldwide.
The orange side marker lamps tell us that it is an US market 1800 ES. It rolled off the assembly line in Gothenburg May 3 1973, and was picked up at the Tourist Delivery Service by its American owner.
At that time, Volvo management had already decided to end the production of the ES. The cost for meeting the increasing, and stringent US safety regulations would be far too high - and it was on the American market most of the customers could be found. Of approximately 8000 produced 1800 ES, around 90 percent found their way to the US.
However, today more and more of them are coming back to Sweden, like this car from 1973 that is being auctioned on Bilweb Auctions November auction #2. When arriving to Sweden, it had only 14 830 miles on the clock (equivalent to 23 660 km). The American sun had faded both the paint and the interior. A repaint in original Light Blue metallic was made and it alos got a new blue leather upholstery.
The sought-after US option is still mounted: Volvo´s own AC with its characteristic big black box in front of the passenger. Under the hood you find the legendary 2-litre B20 engine in its ”F”-version, adjusted to US emission rules with 116 hp instead of 124.
The ES version of the Volvo 1800 was a way for the Swedish car company to prolong the life of the sports coupe. In the early 1970s the model had been around for ten years without any major changes. The recipe was to change the car from the passenger doors and back, creating a classic shooting brake style. The result was a roomy and practical luggage compartment with a glass tailgate, hinges and handle fastened directly into the glass. It was a solution that made many customers nervous, but it turned out to work just fine. The glass tailgate made a comeback in future models from Volvo as the 480 ES in 1985 and the C30 in 2006. Production of the ES started in September 1971 as MY ´72 and was terminated in June 1973.
Volvo 1800 ES prices have increased rapidly, and the auction record is 92 400 USD. Achieved twice. First time in 2014 for a completely original 1973 ES, in solid red with only 13 000 miles on the clock. The second time was in 2018, this time a 1972 with light blue metallic, and a perfect restoration. This car had 56 000 miles on the clock.
The low mileage car on Bilweb Auctions November auction #2 has an estimated price of 350 - 400 000 SEK.
To the auction
