CALIFORNIACLASSIX 1973 Volvo 1800ES Sportswagon * 1-Owner Santa Barbara Car *

1973 Volvo Other Description

A 1973 Volvo 1800ES Sportwagon, now for sale at Californiaclassix.com! One Owner Santa Barbara Car: 1973 Volvo 1800ES Sportwagon! Please wait a few moments while our high-resolution photos load.

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.

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Built for just two short years, 1972-'73, only 8,078 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.

Derisively called Schneewittchensarg ("Snow White's Coffin") in the Old World, 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. Forty-plus years later, the few survivors are coveted collectors' items.

Finding an unmolested, original, documented one-owner 1800ES that has never been restored, and doesn't need restoration, is not something that happens every day. Here's such a rare gem.

The orange 1800ES Sportswagon presented here, VIN*1836354-006373* has lived all its life in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. Incredibly, it is still registered to its original, 6-digit, blue-and-yellow 1973 Calif. license plates - with the original selling dealer's chrome frames still attached!

Still with the car is the original window sticker, a bit water-logged but still readable, which lists a MSRP of $5,810, almost twice as much as a contemporary Volkswagen Squareback that sold for $2,995 out the door.

Bought brand new on October 12, 1973 at Santa Barbara's HUGHES Pontiac-Honda-Volvo dealer on Hitchcock Way by a Mr. and Mrs. Lentz, this Volvo retains its original owner's manual, Blaupunkt radio manual, and Volvo accessories booklet in the black leatherette pouch. Even the credit card-sized Volvo Owner Identification Card is present (!), plus the original invoice, original registration card and assorted purchase documents.
More than five dozen service records total $9,170.91, cover the years 1973 - 2015 and have been preserved, chronologically sorted and tucked into clear sheet protectors, in a 3-ring binder.

Volvo's coachwork has benefitted tremendously from a sheltered life in Southern California. The flanks are arrow straight, shut lines ("gaps") of doors and hoods look perfect.

Volvo rolls on gold-finished stock steelies with beauty rings, shod with radials of the size 195/60-R15H.

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 super healthy condition. It starts on the first turn of the key, runs smoothly, doesn't need diapers, and does not smoke at all. Hood pad is in "like new" condition.

The desirable M41 4-speed manual transmission with electric overdrive is a joy to use. The overdrive works perfectly, making highway travel a relaxing and engine-pampering affair.
Recent mechanical work of note includes a brake master cylinder, fuel pump, and cold start valve. The transmission was rebuilt back in 1992. Clutch and starter have been replaced, too.

Painted in the very desirable orange color (code 113), the finish has held up well. There are a few spots of inpainting and there are signs of use and age, of course, such as a shallow scrape underneath the driver's door, numerous dings on the beltline bright trim, and some hazing of the bumper chrome. Nothing to lose sleep over if your heart's desire is a daily driver instead of a "show-only" trailer queen.

White headliner and sun visors are is unstained and look great. This Volvo has never been smoked in! Note working dome light.

Truly, a sports car in the upbeat spirit of the Seventies, with traditional sports car dash and factory original steering wheel.

Multiple SMITHS gauges look beautifully detailed and work perfectly, except for the clock which shows the correct time only twice daily.

Front bucket seats still sport their original covers which are in fabulous condition. Carpeting is original as well and still serviceable, if a bit faded.

Flawless rear seat; seatback folds forward for added cargo capacity. Note rear safety belts.

Ready for a test drive?
So are we, but before we take off, let's check out the trunk area first.

More good news await in ye olde luggeren (swedish for: trunk compartment).

Lift the well-preserved trunk mat and the spare tire magically appears. Again: no corrosion anywhere, a small miracle!

The Volvo's belly comes with all original, rust free, and un-repaired sheet metal. There is no indication that this car has ever been involved in an accident.
Even the battery box area is fully intact and original. Aficionados of the model surely know that this very delicate region is often MIA, i.e., completely rusted away -- not so here!

Thursday, Cinco de Mayo, turned out to be another lovely 75-degree spring day here in our beloved mission town San Buenaventura.

We couldn't wait to hop into the Volvo and go for a fun drive, taking many pictures along the way.

The 1800ES behaves like a modern car. Its suspension and brakes 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. And with no black boxes, no ASL, ABS, engine management computers, side air bags or other 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.

Few of those Scandinavian Sports Wagons were built. Even fewer survived, making the search for one all the more challenging.

If you can get excited about a fully documented, unrestored, one-owner example from sunny Southern California, finished in a rare and very exciting color, ready to be enjoyed immediately: here's a 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.

Please, direct all inquiries to bill@californiaclassix.com or call us at 805-653-5551.

TERMS OF 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 $1,000 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.

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