CC Capsule: 1972 Volvo P-1800 LL – A Lost Chevy-Inspired Concept Car?

By
– Posted on December 18, 2023

Just this last week, as I drove around the surroundings of San Salvador, I came across this most extraordinary find. What I believe to be some kind of lost Volvo concept that hoped to entice GM into a merger way back in the early ’70s. Or at least, that’s my theory.

How did this little-known concept car appear in this tropical city way down south? I have no idea. But the mash of styling influences is something to admire truly, and it heavily hints at the intentions behind its conception.

The cynic out there might just say this is some lousy custom job cobbled together by a local paisano. I respectfully dare to disagree and just say; heck no sir! 

Ok, I admit much of what I’ll say is just pure speculation, with most of my assumptions coming from a message found in a Volvo forum I can’t quite locate anymore… But in an age of disinformation and so-called ‘fake news’, what’s the harm in admitting I’m just winging it out?

In any case, I place the origins of the elusive -and until now lost- P1800 LL, to the early days of Volvo CEO Pehr Gyllenhammar’s tenure. Mr. G -as he was known around the office- was one of the first voices to recognize that Volvo was too small to survive on its own. Looking into the future, he started various efforts to find a suitor for a future merger.

Being the early ’70s, juggernaut GM was the handsomest suitor to pursue. Why not put together a nifty concept to beguile and bewitch mighty GM? And so, work began in one of Volvo’s engineering labs.

Seeing the love Americans were displaying for Personal Luxury Coupes at the time, Volvo’s team figured that a late P1800 would be ideal to serve as the concept’s basis. The platform was ancient, sure, but it was not like that had ever troubled anyone in Detroit.

With objectives clear, work proceeded accordingly. Looking to add those GM genes into the concept, some Chevelle bits were acquired by Volvo’s Nova Scotia factory and were sent to Gothenburg to aid design work.

Some in the team balked at the idea of grafting a Chevelle grille to a P1800 body. Others argued it would be a good way to refine techniques pioneered during the failed P1900 episode. While all that bickering ensued, the team’s leader noted the LL was the perfect chance to show GM how to do ‘safety.’ With regulations on emissions and safety troubling American carmakers, the ‘safety’ angle would certainly place Volvo high in GM’s preferences. Or so the idea was.

Volvo’s team did their best to accommodate the P1800 LL’s lines to the upcoming 5-MPH bumper regulations. Opinions on the final product were mixed, to say the least. Some thought the little coupe looked like a nice and taut little Laguna. However, most just found it to have too many jarring elements.

And seeing it in person, I can see each side has some reason. The elements are jarring, though -I hate to admit it- they almost work together. The grafted-on grille is indeed slightly bulky, but not as unattractive as the idea behind it would suggest. And regarding the poorly integrated bumpers, did Detroit do any worse?

The rear is somewhat less accomplished in my view, with a waspy-like rear clashing with some bulky detailing. Where did they pick up that handle in the trunk? Some Scandinavian fridge?

Also, no work was done in the mid-section whatsoever, an element that betrays the whole effort. It’s only too clear the LL is an ancient P1800 in nothing but American guise.

I’ve yet to find convincing information on the model’s ‘LL’ meaning; though several possibilities have been bandied about. The one I prefer is ‘Luscious Luxury’, although ‘Luxurious Luxury’ and ‘Leggera Luxury’ are far more likely to be true.

Sharp eyes will also notice the ‘240Z’ decal on the grille. That clue only rushes us to the conclusion of the little-known LL chapter. On final inspection, besides some audible giggling, management politely hinted that the concept just wasn’t suitable enough for the rising Brougham fad. Desperate, engineering argued that vinyl tops and ‘lux’ trim could be easily glued on added.

“If we want vinyl tops, we’ll just talk to Bertone. You guys just get back to safety stuff.” – Were management’s final words.

With the concept occupying space around Gothenburg’s shops, someone eventually suggested sending the prototype to Nissan.

“Have you seen their ’70s offerings? Those guys will build anything!”

However, the proud Japanese company didn’t bite, and until now, the LL had remained lost.

As I said earlier, I’m going heavy on speculation on this one. If you want to believe this is some clunky contraption built by someone bent on ruining an old P1800, that’s your call. As for me, I’ll stick to my theory. After all, there was something shady and suspicious about this finding. Just look at the chubby guy with sunglasses hiding back there in this photo. Oh boy, was he suspicious about me shooting this subject! I’m sure there’s some nefarious reason behind that.