I recently made a quick trip to Europe and brought back a treasure trove of exceptional CC fodder, which I will share forthwith. As an amuse-bouche for my forthcoming series/report on the concours d’élégance itself, here’s a little look at the CCs that caught my eye in the adjoining parking lot…
There were a number of interesting cars in this field, located in the Swiss village of Coppet. It was reserved for the event’s premium ticket-holders and VIPs – just across the road from the main concours. This early ‘70s 3.5 litre Mercedes W111 cabriolet was definitely snap-worthy, but there were a number of unusual cars I didn’t even bother with, including the Bentley S1 parked right in front. But then, this was right after seeing (and documenting) a plethora of Bentleys at the concours just minutes before. Besides, I had spotted a promisingly bulbous black shape further afield.
I was not disappointed. It was a pristine French-registered Jaguar 2.4 litre saloon, also known as the Mk 1. I’m thinking the rear spats and the eight-bar grille make this an early model, but I’m not sure of its exact vintage – something like 1956-57.
I stand by my previously-stated view that these look better than the Mk 2. Yes, they’re chunky and austere, especially in this early-model version, all black and bespatted, but it’s a far more elegant design to my eyes. In the latter half of the ‘50s, this new breed of baby Jags was the cause of many a Deadly Sin by their panicked competitors.
There was no escape from the Jaguar’s hungry maw, unfortunately for Armstrong Siddeley, Alvis and many others. This is the face of success. The XK120 put Jaguar on the map, but they conquered the world with the Mk 1. Nice photobomb by that early ‘90s Firebird, too. I did see it, but went in the opposite direction, where a far more appealing red sports car beckoned.
Not far from the Jaguar was another French-registered car (from the Marseille area, over 400 km away) in this exquisite Volvo P1800. I’ve always had a serious soft spot for these, especially the earlier models like this one. While not as flawless as the Jag, this Volvo still looked amazing for its age and was obviously still in regular use.
The killer detail on these are the horn-shaped bumpers. These denote an early model P1800, one of around 6000 units assembled by Jensen, using Pressed Steel bodies, from 1960 to late 1962. This most British of Volvos was deemed subpar by the Swedes, who terminated the Jensen contract ahead of time. By early 1963, the P1800 became the 1800S (for Sverige or Sweden) and straightened its mustache. The 100 hp B18 engine was later swapped for a 118 hp 2-litre and there were minor trim changes, but the Volvo coupé never fundamentally changed – except at the very end of its life.
I never understood why Volvo kept making these well beyond their ‘50s styling’s sell-by date, but it does give one several options to choose from. For a bit more oomph, try this 1970 model. Based on looks alone, early model coupés like today’s featured car certainly get my vote, but build quality is reportedly quite inferior to later Swedish-built cars. In any case, it would be extremely difficult for me to choose between one of these and the astounding 1972-73 shooting brake.
And finally, I saw this and immediately thought of CCFF (Curbside Classic Founding Father) Paul Niedermeyer. This locally-registered saloon was perhaps the cleanest 404 I’ve ever seen, looking like it just came out of the Sochaux factory, located just across the Jura mountains. It’s almost Swiss-made.
I’m not too good at pinpointing the exact vintage of these cars, but this seems like a later 1971-74 model with a 73 hp carbureted 1618cc engine. The interior looked almost like new too, but due to the sun, it was difficult for me to get a decent photo – this is the best I could manage.
The deep Burgundy colour fits this Peugeot perfectly – it looks ready to celebrate its first half-century on the road with grace and aplomb. I photographed another very interesting car on this field, but it really warrants a stand-alone post, which will follow the ones about the concours.
See you tomorrow for Part One thereof, where we will gawk at some of the most beautiful pre-war cars ever made.
Related posts:
Curbside Classic: 1964 Volvo P1800S – Transcending Time, Distance And Fashion, by PN
Curbside Classic: 1970 Volvo P1800E: About Lars, Who Bought a Stylish Italian Suit and Wore it for Twelve Years, by JP Cavanaugh
Curbside Classic: 1969 Peugeot 404 – The CC Holy Grail Found, by PN
Wow, those early P1800s are not often seen. And I am totally smitten with the 404. The car, the color, the condition – I love everything about this one.
I was not around when the Mk1 was new, so I am unable to see it without the Mk2 overlaid. That is, I can’t see it as the stylish development of big Jag themes that it was. The many less pies eaten by its successor really does leave the predecessor looking as if drawn by a sausage fingered crayon-wielder. It’s a frump: the Mk2 got dressed in stuff far closer to the latest of then, and looks much finer for it. To me.
I like the cowhorn Jensen Volvos more as time goes on, despite their name for being built from welded rust particles at West Bromich when new. They do not seem to copy any other particular design, and thus time serves them well.
As for that peachy Pug, I could only wish mine had ever been so fine. Not that it really matters, as I don’t rate the looks of the 404 too highly (all a bit pinched and sharp at the back for that, and arguably bit plain in other parts). But to slip back in behind that wheel, the wheel of one in top order, that is coveted. It was rated by some as one of the best cars of the decade. For sheer harmony of operation, I’ve personally not driven anything better from then or even some time after its demise.
Agreed abut the Mk1 ad Mk2. The Mk1 looks very 1940s to me, an extension of the late ’30s, even, although lower and wider. The Mk2 works a whole lot better, and never mind the visibility.
Yes, the 404 was one of those cars that was just “right” in every respect. And about as good as it got in the ’60s. I loved ours (I ended up with about half a dozen that I farmed out to other co-workers), and they were easy to work on and very tough and reliable.
Did you ever drive a wagon? They felt quite different, due to the longer wheelbase. I’ve never driven a car that was so stable; it just wanted to go straight on no matter how brutal the wind, rough the road, or…tight the curves. It did fine in the curves, it just wasn’t eager to change directions initially.
A great wagon for overlanding on back desert and mountain roads. Wish I still had it…
Alas, never a wagon. The extra length would have calmed my only real quibble with the car, which was that the strangely-located rear end could sometimes “walk” the car around a bit on bad cambered roads. Actually, it’s a marvel that the suspension worked as well as it otherwise always did, which is to say superbly. The axle was held sideways by a Panhard bar, but any other forces all hung off the huge ball-joint thing at the gear box. The outer “trailing arms” – for want of a word – did not attach forwards to the body but angled in and were welded to the torque tube, which could swing about freely on that ball joint (limited only by the panhard rod). There seems a LOT wrong with this, including (surely?) huge the unsprung weight of an entire drive system, as well as poor/minimal ability to control geometries, but the contrary result shows how much I know!
Enjoying the P1800. Every time I see one of these, I think of the “Saint” TV series.
That is a very fine 404. It is hard to pin down the year exactly, or even close. The padded steering wheel started in 1968, at least in the US. I much preferred the older style, and put one in my ’68 sedan. The wheels, with the smaller hubcaps and ventilation holes, seem to have started in 1970, at least in the US. So your guess is certainly very close. I’d say it’s a 1970 or later.
The tan interior is exactly like our forest green wagon. Much nicer than the light blue in my sedan.
I have come to realize that I like cars that are narrow and tall like me. The VW Beetles, the 404, the W124, and the xBox. I guess that’s not too surprising.
Paul it is a 71/74 model, the last Euro range of the 404, it has reversing lamps they got in that period and on the picture of the interior you can just see part of the switch for the rear window heating. The big stainless hubcabs in Europe were for the Super-luxe models only, these were phased out in favor of the 504.
The amber of the front indicator is not an amber lens like in the 66- 71 European models, in these models the amber lens was a seperate plastic part inside the indicator housing.
We bought a Diesel in this color combo for 1000 guilders, we gave it a proper service for our Greek holiday with 7 guys. The car never missed a beat and 2 months later 2 friends spent the winter in Egypt with the car. A cruising speed of 110 km/h the Indenor Diesel rattle, if you took proper care of your 404 it was indestructable. Apart from this red, as it has not a clear coat, the red fades in the sun, it is a strong color but this owner must keep it indoors and maintains the paint perfectly.
Years later I bought a white 68 petrol with red velours upholstery, a brand new car which I kept fof oved 20 years.
Even today I love the lightness and ease the way a 404 drives.
One of the things I love about this place is that for almost any car there will be at least one guy out there somewhere who can go into the model’s intricacies to pinpoint a year or model.
After seeing the Jensen body 1800 I thought I would take a look around locally. Well what do we have here?
Red taillights
Before reading I immediately thought how much more I like this Mk 1 Jag over the Mk 11, which is also very tasty, interesting to see Im not the only one.. Love the correct formality of the 404. Not often a P1800 comes last to the conversation, just love that soft early ’60’s red.
Finally, a kindred spirit who favours the Mk1 over its younger sibling! Thank you Pikesta.
Regarding the 1800’s life past it’s “sell by date”, what else would expect from a company that sold 1940’s style PV544’s until the mid-60’s, the 1950’s style Amazon until 1970, and the 240 well into the ‘90’s? It was Volvo’s way of doing things. BTW, and interesting detail that the S stood for Sverige; I had always assumed it meant Sport, as with the 122S.
So very true. That’s always been Volvo’s MO. And they should be celebrated for it.
Nice parking lot, that 404 is mint theres a similar colour one still on the road locally I’m not sure of the year of either, I prefer the MK2 Jag it looked more purposefull to me anyway more glass area helped, Its often the case that the parking lot is as interesting as the show, muscle car madness proved like that again this year.
Great pics. The Peugeot 404 is beautiful.
Beautiful cars! I love the Jag and the Volvo.
All I know about Peugeot is that they made bicycles (I had one, a white UO-8). It was one of the lines my dad carried at his bicycle store in the 70’s.