The Volvo P1900 is a unique and stylish car produced by Swedish automaker Volvo in 1956. It was designed to be a grand tourer, aimed at attracting younger buyers who were looking for a more sporting alternative to traditional Volvos.
Characteristics:
Body style: Two-door coupe
Length: 4,650 mm (183 inches)
Width: 1,680 mm (66 inches)
Height: 1,400 mm (55 inches)
Wheelbase: 2,840 mm (112 inches)
Engine: B16A inline-four cylinder, producing 100 horsepower at 6,000 rpm
Transmission: 3-speed manual or 4-speed semi-automatic with 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear
Design:
The P1900 was penned by Jan Wilsgård, a Volvo designer who had previously worked on the company's more conservative designs. The car featured a sleek and curved bodywork, with a distinctive " Coke-bottle" shape to its profile.
Its interior was designed to be luxurious and comfortable, with features such as leather upholstery, walnut trim, and a large, circular instrument cluster.
Production:
Only 66 units of the P1900 were produced between September 1956 and January 1957
The car's production was short-lived due to disappointing sales, which were likely caused by its high price (around $3,000) and poor fuel economy.
Today, only a handful of original P1900s are known to exist, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after Volvo models.
Interesting facts:
The P1900's design was heavily influenced by Italian coachbuilders, particularly Zagato, who had produced a number of similar-looking cars for other manufacturers.
Despite its short production run, the P1900 gained a cult following among car enthusiasts and is still celebrated today as one of the most iconic Volvo models ever produced.
