From the October 2022 issue of Car and Driver.

What to do in a long, cold Swedish winter after the glow of winning the 2017 FIA World Touring Car Cup championship has worn off but before the next season starts? Some might dog-sled under the northern lights or plot that year’s Gävle Goat arson, but the Cyan Racing team in Mölndal, Sweden, had a different plan for offseason entertainment: rewriting history. What if the classic Volvo P1800 had the performance to match its design? The folks at Cyan (formerly Polestar Performance before Volvo bought the name) were just the ones to take on the task of making a P1800 as fast as it is pretty. The work took more than three years, but Cyan eventually introduced its finished product amid a pandemic. Now the P1800 Cyan has finally made it to the States. So we took it to our desert proving grounds to get the numbers. Skål!

volvo p1800 cyan racing continuation is a carbon-fiber restomod

Wesley Allison|Car and Driver

How It’s Made

Volvo built the original P1800 from 1961 through 1973, with few cosmetic changes during its run. Any year of the classic coupe can form the basis of Cyan’s P1800. “Because so little of the original car is used, we can start out with a donor car beyond what would normally be seen as restorable,” says Hans Bååth, Cyan Racing general manager.

Cyan strips and sandblasts the donor car, then replaces all exterior body panels with carbon fiber. Only a small portion of the original’s chassis and transmission tunnel remains. Every surface has been lightly tweaked from stock. The whole car looks smoother and lower. The cabin is set back, or rather the wheel wells are moved forward, the hood elongated, and the rear fenders shortened for less overhang and a leaner stance.

The final product weighs 2424 pounds (a new P1800S weighed about 2320 pounds), with only 47.8 percent of that mass on its front axle—perfect for drifting in Gothenburg or, as we did, going on a brisk 200-mile journey over the California mountains in search of Swedish pancakes.

volvo p1800 cyan racing continuation is a carbon-fiber restomod

Wesley Allison|Car and Driver

Step Inside

The optional roll cage is titanium. It’s fairly unobtrusive unless you need to pull the hand brake, which is tucked against the lower bar. Racing buckets look snazzy with a five-point harness but are available with more padding if you enjoy being comfortable.

Reflecting the understated design Scandinavia is famous for, the P1800 Cyan’s interior is soft gray felt and black leather. A beautifully modernized gauge cluster appears vintage, and the radio is Bluetooth compatible, so you can cue up ABBA songs.

volvo p1800 cyan racing continuation is a carbon-fiber restomod

Wesley Allison|Car and Driver

Adelante, Adelante

With most modern powerplants hidden under plastic covers, one doesn’t expect beauty when popping the hood anymore. This makes the Cyan’s elegantly displayed turbocharged 2.0-liter that much more stunning. Based on the race engine from the Volvo S60 TC1 car, it makes 420 horsepower and 336 pound-feet of torque. An Inconel header tucks neatly below the block, and a low-mass titanium-aluminide turbine wheel spins up quickly on ceramic ball bearings. Peak boost pressure is 24.7 psi. The transmission is a Holinger five-speed, and the slim shifter works with the sweet click of a money-filled briefcase being opened in a backroom.

volvo p1800 cyan racing continuation is a carbon-fiber restomod

Wesley Allison|Car and Driver

The Handler

The P1800 body might be classic, but in updating it, Cyan turned to the latest design software to do 3-D modeling and printing. The team also engineered the chassis geometry in-house with the same simulation programs it uses for its winning race cars.

Cyan reinforces the unibody with steel and carbon fiber. The adjustable suspension, with unequal-length control arms front and rear, is Cyan’s own design. Custom Öhlins dampers, adjustable for compression and rebound, provide a surprisingly smooth ride. Goodbye, live rear axle; the rear wheels move independently of each other and receive torque through a carbon-fiber driveshaft hooked to a Holinger limited-slip differential packed with Cyan’s custom gearset. Tubular anti-roll bars help the Cyan corner flat (unlike Roger Moore’s white P1800 in The Saint).

volvo p1800 cyan racing continuation is a carbon-fiber restomod

Wesley Allison|Car and Driver

Electrically assisted rack-and-pinion steering efforts are pinkie-out light. Braking gets no power assist, but AP Racing four-piston calipers all around easily bring the lightweight Swedish steed to a stop. Eighteen-inch forged alloy wheels are wrapped with Pirelli P Zeros, 245/40R-18 front and 265/35R-18 at the rear. The open-spoked design ruins any chance at sleeperdom, but Cyan customizes anything, so you could opt for stock ’64 hubcaps.

Money, Money, Money

A nice unmodified P1800 might run you $20,000 to $60,000. If you want Cyan’s reenvisioned Volvo, you’ll need considerably more—it takes $700,000 to put this Swede thing in your garage.


volvo p1800 cyan racing continuation is a carbon-fiber restomod

Wesley Allison|Car and Driver

Swede Home California

The road to Sweden climbs the Tehachapi Mountains and crosses the dry, golden plains of California’s Central Valley. Just south of Fresno, on Highway 99, a sign painted with a red Dala horse appears before the freeway exit. “Välkommen to Kingsburg,” it says.

volvo p1800 cyan racing continuation is a carbon-fiber restomod

Wesley Allison|Car and Driver

Established as a rail stop in the late 19th century, Kingsburg developed into a farming town with the state’s largest population of Swedish immigrants by the 1920s. In the 1960s, as freeway expansion sent travelers speeding past small towns, Kingsburg decided to try to capitalize on its heritage by highlighting Swedish architecture and holding themed festivals.

This was the perfect destination for a Volvo painted in the colors of the Swedish flag, and the desert and mountain journey was a good test of the P1800 Cyan’s comfort, performance, and air conditioning. The car made the long drive without a hiccup and received a hero’s welcome in town. Even Mayor Laura North showed up in traditional attire to greet us. We ate Swedish pancakes at Kady’s Country Kitchen, and Cyan’s Hans Bååth gave them his seal of approval: “My own grandmother couldn’t do better.”

Specifications

Specifications

1964 Cyan Volvo P1800
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE
Base: $700,000

ENGINEturbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 120 in3, 1969 cm3Power: 420 hp
Torque: 336 lb-ft

TRANSMISSION
5-speed manual

CHASSISSuspension, F/R: control arms/control armsBrakes, F/R: 14.3-in vented, cross-drilled disc/13.0 vented, cross-drilled discTires: Pirelli P ZeroF: 245/40R-18 97Y MO
R: 265/35R-18 97Y MO

DIMENSIONSWheelbase: 96.3 inLength: 165.5 inWidth: 68.8 inHeight: 48.0 in
Curb Weight: 2424 lb

PERFORMANCE60 mph: 4.1 sec100 mph: 10.1 sec1/4-Mile: 12.6 sec @ 113 mph130 mph: 16.2 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 secTop Speed (mfr’s claim): 170 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 192 ftBraking, 100–0 mph: 388 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.94 g

This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Keyword: Volvo P1800 Cyan Racing Continuation Is a Carbon-Fiber Restomod

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

How much are monthly repayments on a new Volvo C40 Recharge?

So, you've decided to embrace a fully electric life? The Volvo C40 Recharge is one of our favourite EVs, but these cars don't come cheap. We've done the math to find out how much you'll be paying for this privilege every month. The Volvo C40 Recharge (Read our First Drive ...

View more: How much are monthly repayments on a new Volvo C40 Recharge?

How do I connect my Android phone to my Volvo C40 Recharge?

The Volvo C40 Recharge is one of the latest creations from Volvo as part of their electric vehicle rollout. Tech filled and modern is part of the C40's spec sheet but how do you connect your Android phone to the vehicle's infotainment system? The Volvo C40 Recharge forms part of ...

View more: How do I connect my Android phone to my Volvo C40 Recharge?

At $3,600, Is This 1996 Volvo 850 GLT An Estate That Will Sell?

Photo: Craigslist The seller of today’s Nice Price or No Dice Volvo wagon touts its supposedly solid nature but confuses the gross weight for its curb weight, saying it’s “almost 5,000 pounds.” Let’s see if they’ve been more accurate in setting a solid price. The 1970 MGB SVO we ...

View more: At $3,600, Is This 1996 Volvo 850 GLT An Estate That Will Sell?

Volvo Cars shares drop to record low as Geely trims stake

Companies Volvo Personvagnar AB BNP Paribas SA Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd OSLO, Nov 17 (Reuters) – Shares of Swedish automaker Volvo Cars (VOLCARb.ST) fell as much as 14% to a record low on Friday after its majority shareholder, China's Geely (0175.HK), sold a small part of its stake at ...

View more: Volvo Cars shares drop to record low as Geely trims stake

How often should a Volvo C40 Recharge be serviced?

It is no secret that electric cars require less maintenance during their service intervals but what are those intervals actually? We checked with Volvo to see how often the incredible C40 Recharge needs to head to the workshop. Service charge Released in South Africa in June 2023, the Volvo C40 Recharge is ...

View more: How often should a Volvo C40 Recharge be serviced?

The Volvo 850 Was A Fast, Safe, And Comfy Box On Wheels

Back in the early 1990s, the car was Sweden's most expensive industrial project.

View more: The Volvo 850 Was A Fast, Safe, And Comfy Box On Wheels

Volvo CEO: Dropping Apple CarPlay Is the Wrong Approach

CEO Jim Rowan says CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t going anywhere.

View more: Volvo CEO: Dropping Apple CarPlay Is the Wrong Approach

2025 Volvo EM90 MPV Marks The Debut Of The First Volvo Minivan

Photo: Volvo Volvo released a fully-electric minivan called the EM90 in China on Monday, where the luxury MPV segment is hugely popular. The Volvo EM90 will be the Swedish automaker’s first minivan, and it just happens to be a rear wheel drive EV, though Volvo says the EM90 traces ...

View more: 2025 Volvo EM90 MPV Marks The Debut Of The First Volvo Minivan

How do I connect my iPhone to my Volvo C40 Recharge?

Volvo XC40 review

Volvo Reveals Battery-Electric EM90 Spaceship with 738km Range Figures

How The Volvo EX30's Minimalist Interface Feels To Operate

The Volvo EM90 Electric Minivan Might Be One Of The Quietest Cars In The World

Volvo officially releases the EM90, its first minivan with over 450 miles range

Is the Volvo C40 Recharge a 7-seater?

Volvo Unveils EM90 as The Firm’s First All-Electric MPV

Volvo EM90 Minivan Has a Screen That Folds Down From The Roof And Does Many Things

R2.1-million Volvo EM90 – A living room on the move

Volvo Unveils EM90 Premium MPV: A Fully Electric Sanctuary

Volvo EM90 Electric Minivan Has Rear-Wheel Drive And Illuminated Grille

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel