Comments:
Volvo P 1800 in Gent ( Belgium ).
Like a postcard, like in a dream...
Some 3 years ago.
Best,
Nicolas
This picture never gets old. Just like the car. Always gets better. Enjoy. [nt]
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I think this picture shows wonderfully...
Why we get excited about the P1800 and not about the second generation Honda Insight in the background 
Pelle Petterson
The wonderful story of how he designed this car while working at Ghia and had the design selected by Gunnar Engellau. The car is a timeless classic - enjoy!
Both
Ghia was the design studio, Frua built it initially before it moved to England where it was assembled at the Jensen factory before moving to Sweden. That's as I understand it.
If you can...
...find an image, compare and contrast the P1800 with the Savonucci Alfa Ghias from a few years before the Volvo ('54?) Inspiration for Pelle's design? Certainly many design cues shared, with the P1800 being a much more elegant effort.
I will try to. Thanks, my friend, for the suggestion and the information. [nt]
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I have a picture in a book...
...but that book is 8000km away ;-)
I am trying to remember where I saw it again recently on the internet. Only 2 were made, I think, on the Alfa 1900 platform.
The current story is that Pelle Petersen was working at Ghia when he penned the design. At the time Ghia owned Carrozzeria Frua. Why it was called a Frua design is not clear.
I am trying to remember where I saw it again recently on the internet. Only 2 were made, I think, on the Alfa 1900 platform.
The current story is that Pelle Petersen was working at Ghia when he penned the design. At the time Ghia owned Carrozzeria Frua. Why it was called a Frua design is not clear.
Thanks, Ben. I have a book with the story of the P 1800. I will check when I have 5 minutes. [nt]
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Murky History
This link I think explains why both Ghia and Frua are true.
http://www.volvotips.com/index.php/p1800/history-1800/
http://www.volvotips.com/index.php/p1800/history-1800/
That's it... Frua, then Ghia / Frua. Thanks, Le Chef. Your screen name is fully deserved. ;) [nt]
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Not that clear-cut. In 1957...
...Pietro Frua was head of design at Ghia, having sold his facilities to fellow Turinese carrozzeria, Ghia.
It is important to distinguish between Frua the man and Frua the coach building company. Pietro had did not design the P1800, but the facilities that he once owned built the prototypes.
As for naming the design, the 1958 Renault Floride is credited to Pietro, but is considered a Ghia (design house) design. And if we apply the naming convention for say, the VW Karmann Ghia, we would have a Volvo Jensen Ghia or is it Frua?? Confused, yet?
It is important to distinguish between Frua the man and Frua the coach building company. Pietro had did not design the P1800, but the facilities that he once owned built the prototypes.
As for naming the design, the 1958 Renault Floride is credited to Pietro, but is considered a Ghia (design house) design. And if we apply the naming convention for say, the VW Karmann Ghia, we would have a Volvo Jensen Ghia or is it Frua?? Confused, yet?
Thanks for the additional confusion, my friend. Now, I am clearly confusioned. ;) [nt]
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Merci beaucoup, Dave. I drive it as often as the weather allows it. [nt]
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I believe this Volvo is rear wheel drive. Im sure its really fun to drive.
Enjoy what makes you tick Nico.
Best. Geross.
Yes, rear wheel drive. Quite funny to drive, even if not too powerful... [nt]
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