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The P1800 was the early version with British (Jensen) assembly. Bad quality when new, now worth more for the rarity and special features. These had B18 engines, drum brakes in the rear, cow horn bumpers, different trim and interior details.
When Volvo pulled production back to Sweden (for a variety of reasons) the model designation changed to 1800S (no P). These were mechanically identical, but the bumpers changed to flat style, the interior changed to get a little flip down back seat. Eventually the motor grew to 2.0 liters with the B20, still carburetted. Some later models may have Strombergs instead of SU's. Minor trim changes, I think the door trim went from ther earlier chrome swoop emphasizing the odd bodyline to the 'straight through' style which de-emphasized it.
The 1800E was a major revamp, with the mechanical bits being largely swapped over to 140 bits instead of the previous 122 bits (although the front suspension was left alone - it's basically a 122 front end with 140 brakes). The brakes got a lot better, with dual diagonal circuit discs all the way 'round. The motor got D-Jet fuel injection. The dash changed in appearance, the cabin got flow through ventilation (black plastic grilles on the tail) and the fuel filler was moved from the top of the rear fender (where it could and sometimes did colletc rainwater) to the side.
In the last couple of years the car was heavily revamped again, with the addition of the 1800ES. This was an 1800E with minor interior changes (140 style armrests, retracting seatbelts, retracting front bumper mounts, newer style switches) with the cramped (really cramped) back seat and tiny trunk replaced with a sport wagon hatch back. After a year and a hlf of co-production the 1800E ceased, and the 1800ES only made it a little longer before being canned too.
At the time, they were too slow, too archaic, and too expensive. You had to be pretty hard headed to choose one. They make much better 'vintage' cars than they did new cars, I'm guessing.
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.
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