Volvo P1800 – The Saint

Published: 20 October 2008 Updated: 26 January 2015

Ranking: 28      

Year of release: 1962 – 1969

The car: A virgin white Volvo P1800.

Why it’s special: Bit of a swizz this one. There was a Saint film, but it featured other Volvos. The one voted for in our poll was the classic Sixties P1800 from the TV series. It’s one of the most elegant Volvos in the Swedes’ back catalogue and recursor to the 480 ES and today’s C30.

Best bit: Simon Templar’s clearly a vain man – the P1800’s number plate reads ST1. And check out the worldwide locations; they were in fact virtually all filmed at the Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.

Pub fact: The producers had wanted to feature the Jaguar E-type, but Jag were inundated with offers and declined. So they turned to Volvo and the Swedes enjoyed their most enduring screen moments in The Saint.

Plot overview: The Saint jets around the world solving mysteries. Roger Moore looks cool. Crime is fixed.

For: A rare moment in cinematic history when a Volvo looks cool.

Against: The TV programme was far better than the film.

CAR verdict: You can almost feel Roger Moore getting ready to be Bond.

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By Tim Pollard

Group digital editorial director, car news magnet, crafter of words

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