An old Volvo stationwagon is probably not the first car that comes to mind when one talks about a R1-million price tag. However, a pristine, low-mileage example of a Volvo P1800 ES sports wagon sold for the princely sum of $92 400 at auction at the Greenwich Concours d´Elegance in Connecticut, USA. That’s around 990 000 South African Rands which, says Bonhams auctioneers who sold it, makes it the most expensive classic Volvo ever.
The ES, of course, was a derivative of Volvo’s pretty P1800 sports coupé popularized by 60s TV series The Saint and this 1973 example spent its entire life in Keene, New Hampshire. It had three owners – the first of which kept it for 27 years – and its pampered existence meant that both the red paintwork and the black leather upholstery remain totally original. It even has original factory fitted aircon – a much sought-after accessory.
Such was the rarity and low mileage of this Volvo that it was bought unseen by a telephone bidder who emerged victorious from a bidding war that saw the initial presale estimate of between $30 000 and $40 000 smashed.
