1973

Volvo introduced the P1800 in 1961 but, as they didn’t have the capacity to build the car themselves, production during the early years was shifted to England. A company called Pressed Steel made the bodies, while the final assembly took place at Jensen. In 1963 production moved to Sweden and the hatchback you see here, with an all-glass tailgate, was introduced in 1972.

Volvo was launched in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1927 when the main backer, Svenska Kullagerfabriken, chose to revive the old Volvo company, which was originally set up in 1915 to make ball bearings. Volvo (Latin for ‘I roll’) turned out to be a perfect name for a car company and the logo has a symbolic meaning associated with strength, safety, quality and durability.