CALIFORNIACLASSIX 1973 Volvo 1800ES Sportwagon {58 Photos}

A 1973 Volvo 1800ES. now for auction on eBay! Snow White's Coffin: 1973 Volvo 1800ES Sportwagon Volvo's 1800ES achieved international cult car status a long time ago. Well-preserved. original examples are sought after by enthusiasts worldwide and will most likely continue to appreciate as long as there's fossil fuel available. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Built for just two short years. 1972-73. only 8. 78 of the exciting Sports Estates were ever produced. With this groundbreaking sportwagon design. Volvo successfully revived a decade-old model and gave fans of the 1800S Coupe much-needed additional luggage space in the bargain. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Derisively called Schneewittchensarg ("Snow White's Glass Coffin") in the Old World. the Volvo actually had its detractors when it was new. Today. with many cross-over designs making waves at international car shows. the Shooting Brake styling seems fluid and modern. But this sports-car-plus-wagon was anything but cheap. Though being a high-profile car -- it was even named PLAYBOY's Playmate Car of the Year in 1972 -- of beautiful finish and construction. very few Volvisti were willing to pay the steep asking price. It seems the 1800ES was just too far ahead of its time. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Forty-some years after its conception. the few surviving ES models are coveted collectors' items. and finding an unmolested original car that has never been restored. yet still presents itself in near show condition. is almost like winning the lottery. The 1973 Volvo presented here is such a rare gem. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Our Volvo. VIN *1836354005543*. was manufactured in January of 1973 and sold brand new on April 18. 1973 at Budd Volvo in Riverside. Calif. to a meticulous Gentleman from nearby Yucaipa. who kept the car for 25 years. We were fortunate to purchase it from the second owner. back in Riverside. who also took very good care of his pride and joy and drove it sparingly. Odometer reading of 86. 91 miles computes to just over 2. 00 miles driven annually. on average. in the past 42 years. Let's have a closer look! Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Car comes with its original books and manuals in the Volvo-blue vinyl pouch. Neat-o. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Even the original. plastic. owner's I. D. card is still present! Oddly enough. Volvos. though known for their quality "Swedish Steel" construction. can and do suffer from corrosion. especially in places where the factory-applied undercoating flakes off. This fine example fortunately lived its life in the very dry climate of California's Inland Empire region and was mercifully spared by the dreaded rust devil. A new exhaust system has recently been installed. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Above photos show the undercarriage in more detail. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Volvo's coachwork also benefitted tremendously from a sheltered Southern California life. There are no bubbles. holes. or other indications of metal decay. There are no dings or dents. no scrapes or scratches. The flanks are arrow straight. shut lines ("gaps") of doors and hoods simply perfect. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) The ES looks very attractive in white. its original color. The glossy finish looks like well-preserved factory paint. however. we believe the car has been repainted once. many years ago. to a very high standard. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) As you would assume from a vintage Volvo known to be almost bullet-proof. the fuel-injected 2-liter engine. residing in a toothbrush-clean engine bay. is in perfectly healthy condition. It starts on the first turn of the key. runs smoothly. doesn't need diapers. and does not smoke at all. The desirable M41 4-speed manual transmission with electric overdrive is a joy to use. The overdrive works perfectly. making travel at freeway speeds a relaxing affair. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Volvo's cozy cockpit is as well-preserved as you'll ever find. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) The original white headliner looks splendid. Aside from some minor discoloration. it defies its age and is free of rips and tears. Factory sunvisors are every bit as nice. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Truly. a sports car in the upbeat spirit of the early Seventies. with traditional sports car dash and factory original steering wheel. which has been enhanced by a leather cover. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Multiple SMITHS gauges look beautifully detailed and work perfectly. except for the clock which shows the correct time only twice daily. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Front bucket seats present themselves in great condition. Aside from an open seam on the bottom of the driver's seat -- an easy fix -- there are no flaws to note. Door panels. kick and side panels. carpeting -- they're all in fabulous original condition throughout. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Flawless rear seat; seatback folds forward for added cargo capacity. Note rear safety belts. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Ready for a test drive? So are we. but before we take off. let's check out the trunk area first. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) More good news await in ye olde luggeren (swedish for: trunk compartment). Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Lift the well-preserved trunk mat and the spare tire magically appears. Again: no corrosion anywhere. a small miracle! Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Trunk area details: wood panels hide small storage compartments to both sides of the spare. They're completely dry and rust free. Note original tire jack and cleanliness of fuel tank area. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Thursday. February 26. turned out to be another super nice "winter" day here in our beloved mission town San Buenaventura. We couldn't wait to hop into the Volvo and go for a spirited drive. taking many pictures along the way. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) The 1800ES is equipped with suspension and brakes that are fully up to the task. Fuel-injected engine purrs. overdrive transmission is a joy to use. There are no squeaks or rattles. one truly feels safe and protected by this big hunk of Swedish steel. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) And with no black boxes. no ASL. ABS. engine management computers. side air bags or other unnecessary nonsense to spoil the fun. the ES can be driven with abandon. knowing that all mechanical parts are inexpensive and easy to find. should the need ever arise. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Few of those Scandinavian Sports Wagons were built; even fewer survived in unrestored. unmolested. and excellent condition throughout. If you have longed to acquire a fine example of these sporty station wagons. ready to be enjoyed immediately. this is your golden opportunity. You are most welcome and encouraged to view this fine automobile in Ventura. by appointment. during the auction. or have someone inspect it for you. Please. perform your due diligence before you bid. Please. note that this car is currently advertised on our Web site and on display in our Showroom. We reserve the right to accept a satisfactory offer and close this auction at any time. Feel free to contact us via e-mail at bill@californiaclassix. com or call us at (805) 653-5551. TERMS OF THIS SALE By bidding in this auction. you declare that you have read and accept the Terms of this Sale as outlined below. If you have any questions. please ask them before you bid. After the auction has ended. the sale is final. Please. only bid on this car if you are serious about owning it and have the necessary funds readily available! We require a $1. 00 deposit to be paid via PayPal within 24 hours of the end of the auction and the balance to be paid via bank wire transfer (or in cash) within 5 business days. unless other arrangements have been agreed upon during the auction. The car comes with a clear California Certificate of Title. It is smog exempt and sold "as is. where is" with no warranty stated or implied. Mileage stated above is the current odometer reading. License plates shown for photographic purposes only. You fully understand that you are not bidding on an "option to buy" this vehicle. You bid to own! There are no contingencies. We ship worldwide. For more information about Californiaclassix. please click on the link below: About Auction Presentation. Image Hosting. & Copyright © 1999-2015 by Californiaclassix. com™. All Rights Reserved. Californiaclassix. com™ is a Registered Trademark. In compliance with eBay's Rules and Regulations. no part of this presentation may be reproduced without written permission of the author. E-mail inquiries to the webmaster@californiaclassix. com.