Early 1957 the Volvo company was looking to expand their targets to the US and Europe, by entering the sports car market. A young Swede, Pelle Petterson, who was working for the Italian firm of Pietro Frua, designed the car as a 2+2 sports coupé. After a failed attempt to have the bodies built by the German firm Karmann, a deal was made with the English Jensen factory. They would assemble the bodies at their premises after receiving the bare bodies through the Scottish Pressed Steel plant. Between 1961 and 1963 some 6000 examples were made, but the quality control was not up to the Swedish standard and the decision was made to build the complete car in Sweden.

The initial name was changed from P1800 (P for Pressed Steel) to 1800S (S for Sweden). When in 1969 the Bosch injection system was introduced the name again changed to 1800E (E for Einspritzung). The popularity of the car was mainly due to its role in the well known British television series “The Saint” (1962-1969) where main character Simon Templar (Roger Moore) would be driving a white example registered ST1. The 2+2 Coupé version would be produced until 1972 after which the 1800ES shooting brake would be the successor.

This Volvo 1800E was delivered new in the USA in 1971. Being a car of the last complete production year it benefits from all major improvements including disc brakes all around. The fully synchronized 4 speed gearbox is fitted with an electric overdrive. The car spent all of its life in the US until 2015, when it was imported into The Netherlands. The Dutch owner then decided to have the car completely restored, details of which are well documented on file. The car was returned to its original Gold Metallic with beige leatherette interior. On the technical side, both the engine and gearbox were overhauled and the car was retrofitted with an electric power steering system as well as an air conditioning system. After the restoration the car was registered in The Netherlands in 2019.