Volvo P1800ES

Launched in 1960, the strikingly handsome P1800 was Volvo's first attempt to enter the sports car market, though in truth it was more a boulevard cruiser than a racer.

The car shot to fame in 1962 when Simon Templar, played by Roger Moore, drove a white one in the hit TV series 'The Saint' (after Jaguar had refused to supply an E-Type because they didn't need the publicity!). Initially powered by a 100bhp twin-carb version of the faithful B18 1.8-litre engine, this was replaced by a two-litre B20 unit in 1969.

For 1970 numerous changes came with the fuel-injected 1800E, which had the B20E engine with Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection and a revised camshaft, hiking power to 130bhp without sacrificing fuel economy. Top speed was 120mph and it could hit 60 in a respectable 9.5 seconds. The 1970 model was also the first 1800 to have four-wheel disc brakes, replacing the rear drums of the earlier models.

In 1972 came the last model of the range, the 1800ES, an estate version with an all-glass tailgate and folding rear seats that created a long flat loading area. Only in production for two years, just 8,077 of the ES were sold worldwide, making them a relatively rare sight today. Apart from looking a million dollars these cars are amazingly robust – a 1966 Volvo P1800S holds the Guinness World Record for the most miles covered on an original engine: over 3 million at the last count!

Although registered in May 1973, a letter on file from Volvo confirms that this example was actually made in late February 1972 and is therefore tax exempt. Lex Brooklands in St. John's Wood were the supplying dealer and maintained it until around 1980 (according to the 6 services in the book), by which time it had accumulated some 40,000 miles. 21 old MOTs show that by 1986 the mileage was registered as 11,900, confirming a note in the service book about a non-functioning odometer.

In the early 1990s the car was entrusted to Contract Co, a Winchester based restoration company who undertook a full body restoration, including new sills and a bare metal respray. A photographic record shows the extent of the work done, with bills on file for over £11,000. Furthermore, a purchase invoice from 2007 shows that it was sold for an impressive 28,500 Euros to a school teacher in Ireland for use as her everyday car.

Whilst in her hands, the overall mileage accumulated to some 84,500 miles. The car was treated with underbody protection in August of last year and has just been fully serviced, with new lower ball joints, a fuel injection system overhaul, attention to the overdrive solenoid and is MOTd until January 2014. A hand book and service book accompany the large history file.

These distinctive, practical and rare Sports Estates still look fantastic today and with the model's proven reputation for reliability, this smart example may still have the odd million miles left in it.