A 1966 Volvo 1800S that belonged to the King of Sweden is up for auction in Scandinavia.
The car was gifted to the then-Crown Prince to celebrate both his 20th birthday and graduation from the Sigtuna Humanistiska Läroverk school. His Royal Highness the Duke of Jämtland Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus Bernadott – to give him his full title – then spent two years tooling around in the cyan sports car, before trading it in for a newer model.
At some point in the ensuing years it was repainted, and then languished in a garage for a decade or so before the current keeper finally got his hands on it in 2009. It was maintained and kept in working order but progressively used less and less until, in the summer of 2023 it was briefly reunited with its royal first owner – now the King of Sweden.
In preparation for the annual Royal Rally on Öland in August the car was fettled at the Volvo Museum workshop in Gothenburg, and, when the King and Queen Silvia arrived for the rally the 1800S was waiting at the airport for them. The King took the wheel and joined dozens of other classic car drivers in the event that first took place to mark his 50th birthday in 2006.
With 73,000 km (45,360 miles) on the odometer the regal Volvo is described as being in “a charming and patinated condition with clear potential for improvement.” There are signs of filler in the body and the brake servo isn’t working, the interior is “comfortably worn” but not a massive job to refurbish, while the 1.8-litre 114 bhp engine and four-speed manual transmission “deliver a good driving experience and feel as they should once the car has warmed up in all its functions.”
Volvos like this are well-known to be long-lasting, with the 1800S even earning a place in the Guinness World Records thanks to American Irv Gordon who covered more than 3.25 million miles in his 1966 example.
The King’s Volvo is offered by Bilweb Auctions at no reserve, but estimated to fetch 550,000-650,000 Swedish Krona (£43,240-£51,100).
