There is no connection now. When Volvo first put the 1800 into production in
1961 (I think) they were short on factory space. They almost got Karmann to
do the assembly for them, but VW objected because they perceived the 1800 as
a competitor to the Karmann-Ghia. When negotiations with Karmann fell
through, Volvo found Jensen to assemble the cars. The bodies were made by
Pressed Steel, a British firm, and were shipped directly to Jensen for
assembly. The deal broke up in 1964. Volvo was not satisfied with the
assembly and finish quality of the Jensen built cars, and they transferred
assembly to a new plant they had opened in Sweden.
The Jensen built cars were built from beginning of 1800 production until part
way through 1964. They are called P1800. When the assembly was transferred to
Sweden the car was called 1800S. In 1968 it got Volvo's new B20 motor (
2000cc) and the car was named.......1800S! In '69 it got fuel injection and
was called 1800E. The wagon backs are 1800ES. Let's not get into Volvo's
naming standards again:)
The bodies were made by Pressed Steel for quite a while after production left
Jensen. I don't remember how long, but several years. I had a Swedish-built
1964 1800S that still had Lucas wiring. I think they switched to Bosch in '
65, but that could be wrong.
Ron Tewksbury
former 1800 owner (X3) and saving for a REAL sports car
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From: marrone@optilink.dsccc.com (Frank Marrone)
Message-Id: <9412130949.ZM3618@montreal>
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 1994 09:49:33 -0800
In-Reply-To: British-cars-owner@triumph.cs.utah.edu "British Cars Digest #1484
Tue Dec 13 01:15:00 MST 1994" (Dec 13, 1:15am)
References: <199412130815.BAA05048@triumph.cs.utah.edu>
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Subject: Volvo and Jensen?
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Reply-To: marrone@optilink.dsccc.com (Frank Marrone)
Does anybody know if there is a connection between Jensen motors
and volvo or volvo 1800 engine and english cars/mfgs?
--
Frank Marrone at marrone@optilink.dsccc.com
1965 Sunbeam Tiger B9471116
1960 Sunbeam Alpine Series I B9009330
1966 Ford LTD 4-door family barge.
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