1972, there was a break-in at the Watergate building, a dude called Don Mclean released “American Pie” and Peggy did not drive her Chevy to the levy but she bought an almost brand new Volvo 1800ES.
It was owned by a GI that only put 9,130 miles on it and then he sold it to Everett Sports Cars in…you know…Everett.
The car was sitting on the showroom floor and Peggy and her husband fell in love with it right there. Finished in Volvo code 111, Light Metallic Blue, it was easy to get seduced.
Peggy’s husband drove it to work daily including back and forth to Canada on business trips.
Peggy and her husband belonged at the time to the North Cascade Snowmobile Club and they towed two snowmobiles with this car to Yellowstone National Park. Those were the days…it was just a regular car to be used and abused.
The black leather interior is as flawless as the rest of the car.
The door panels changed for 1972. The brittle molded armrest was replaced with a flat panel flanked by a sturdy 240 style armrest.
The chrome and stainless on the car is very nice.
This is what makes the ES way more practical than the coupe: You can haul stuff.
Volvo made only 3069 1800ES cars in 1972. The type plate states 1836354. Let’s decode it:
18 = 1800
3 = Estate or Wagon
4 = B20F
3= No sunroof (good thing, they leak anyway)
5 = Five speed as in 4 speed with overdrive
4 = Destined for California
Sadly, Peggy’s husband passed away in 2011 and while not sure what to do with the car, Peggy parked in the garage for several years. However, in 2016 she decided to use this beautiful car so she had it towed to a classic car shop that brought the car back to life again.
We saw this car last year and it looked great to all of us.
Not to Peggy, she noticed a small flaw in the corner and decided to treat the car to a complete re-spray. The front windshield and most of the chrome was removed for a proper paint job.
Even the wheels were painted and detailed with new chrome.
Peggy is using a collector plate in the back but up front is an older personal plate that makes it clear what year and make we are looking at.
The exhaust is sporting the factory correct chrome tips.
Engine is all stock Fuel Injected B20. The car only has 265,000 miles on it so with a new lease on life, it is ready for another 265,000 or so.
Thanks for sharing you beautiful 1800ES with us, We wish for many trouble-free miles with this beauty!
By Rolf Åström