In 1971, Volvo turned it's P1800S coupe from a coupe into a "sporting estate" complete with 2+2 seating and an all glass hatchback. The coupe on which it was based was relatively famous as Roger Moore's car in the 60s TV show "The Saint", and was quite a radical departure for Volvo, a company not noted for sporty looking cars in the 1960s.
The new hatchback shape was felt to be more practical than the coupe, which by 1971 had been in production since 1961. After only two years production of the P1800 ES (as the hatch was known) ceased, the last one being made in 1973. In total around 8000 of the P1800 ES were made.
The P1800 ES was not a particularly quick car, power coming from a modest 2 litre 4 cylinder engine driving the rear wheels. It was not especially cheap in some markets either, costing nearly twice as much as a similarly equipped Ford Capri 2 litre in the UK.
Minichamps make this great model of the P1800 ES and it is one of their best efforts to date. The head and tail lights look superb as does the interior with fabric seatbelts and interior carpeting. Engine and brake detail are good and the overall look of the model is just right.
