The 2012 Footman James Classic Motor Show
Celebrating the 50th Birthday of ‘The Saint’ & his Volvo P1800

The theme of this year’s Footman James Classic Motor Show, held at the NEC Birmingham each November was ‘What’s the Story’ and what a story we had to tell on our Club Stand at this year’s Show.

As promised at last years event Kevin Price our Founder had, despite all the previous problems with paintwork etc, finished his rebuild of 71 DXC aka ST 1, the ‘Original’ Roger Moore Volvo P1800 used in the very first series of TV’s “The Saint”.

Many Classic Car publications, Footman James and the NEC on their websites etc had acknowledged that on the Friday morning of the show 71 DXC, aka ST 1, would be unveiled to the public on our club Stand at the Show, following a five year epic rebuild.

Preparations for the show had started early that week with Colin & May Tatlow’s well known Volvo PV 444-08 being collected from Cornwall and The Saint car being returned from Richard Felton of Specialist Upholstery in Doncaster to the Midlands. Richard had been burning the midnight oil getting the interior finished ready for the Show.  Both cars were duly delivered to the Club Stand at the NEC ready for the build up on the Thursday.

Building the Stand:

Thursday morning saw Club Members arrive with their cars to build the display.  First job being to lay the mountain of carpet tiles needed to cover the stand.  Next the most important, ‘The Tea Shed’ which also acted as a display for the pictures telling the story of ST 1’s momentous rebuild.  Cars positioned, polished etc; it was off for a good night’s sleep before the show opened the next morning.

Unveiling the restored ‘Original’ Roger Moore Saint Car – 71 DXC aka ST 1

Unveiling of the Saint car was sponsored by 71 DXC’s insurers - Footman James and was undertaken, in the company of a large crowd of visitors, by Malcolm Christopher from the original Production crew of The Saint, supported by Andy Fairchild – Managing Director of Footman James and Kevin Price, owner and Founder/Hon. President of the Volvo Enthusiasts Club.

The Show:

Without doubt this was the best Classic Motor Show so far. Throughout the 3 days of the show members of the VEC Display Team were kept very busy with large crowds of visitors to our stand, eager to talk to the owners about their cars etc. – we even had a visit from ‘The Stig’.
 
Also at the show Colin & May Tatlow were presented by Colin Hughes with Hon. Club Membership for their contribution to the club and in particular their support of Club Stands over the past 15 years with their PV444-08, which has been a regular feature or club displays in the past.

A great show – can’t wait until next year!!

Our stand this year featured the following Members vehicles:

Volvo P1800 (Jensen England Built) – 1962 – The ‘Original’ TV Saint Car
‘ST 1’
Early History:

In the Spring of 1962 Lew Grade of ATV Television held a Press Conference where he launched ‘The Saint’ Series with actor Roger Moore, who would play the famous Simon Templar in a series of 26 one hour shows (news to Roger Moore who had been contracted, as he believed, for only half hour episodes).

The famous Simon Templar, like other dashing TV/Film hero’s e.g. Batman, James Bond etc, required a recognisable form of transport and ATV’s first choice was a white ‘E’ type Jaguar - which had been launched at the Geneva Motor Show the previous year.  Jaguar were approached to lend the TV company a car in lieu of advertising but in view of the already high demand for the model in the USA and being unable to keep up with current production requirements they declined the offer, suggesting that they did not require the publicity the series would provide.  It is rumoured that Roger Moore even offered to personally purchase a MK10 Jaguar to use in the series, as the best supply date for an ‘E’ type was over 2 months.
            
Search for an alternative car was on and again it was Roger Moore who came to the rescue suggesting that the company look at the new Volvo P1800, which had only just been launched in RHD form on the UK market.
            
Within a week a white Volvo P1800 was delivered to ITC from a London Dealership –  Reg: No: 71 DXC (Plate ‘ST 1’ was placed over the cars ordinary number plate only while filming) and it is believed that they were invoiced full price for the car. As no white P1800 was available (unbelievable as the cars were being produced at Jensen Motors Ltd, West Bromwich in England) it is said that a car had to be air freighted back from Sweden to fill the order at such short notice.
           
The Jensen built P1800 - 71 DXC appeared in the opening sequences of the very first episode “The Talented Husband” and was used in many of the original 26 episodes where its owner, The Saint, could be seen visiting places as far afield as Germany, France and even the Bahamas (how the car got there was not explained). In fact due to financial constants the car never left the British Isles, it was all tricks of the camera.
          
With production of the 1800 moving to Sweden in 1963 Volvo, in 1964, provided ITC with a new replacement car, an 1800S – Reg. No: 77 GYL.  In order to provide continuity in the series the later ‘V’ Red Hub Caps were replaced with the original ‘Jensen Caps’ from 71 DXC.  Both cars can be seen in early 1964 episodes but if you look carefully there are some scenes where the car was still fitted with its original Red ‘V’ caps.
         
71 DXC was finally fully replaced by 77 GYL in late 1964, but the original car was used for publicity of the Series and driven by Roger Moore as everyday transport.
        
The ‘Original’ TV Saint Car 71 DXC has undergone a full restoration and was unveiled at the Classic Motor Show 2012 by Malcolm Christopher, a member of the original crew who produced the TV Series, ‘The Saint’

Kevin Price, Bewdley, Worcestershire
Volvo PV 444-08-1957

Imported from Sweden in 1985 by the owner of a Devon Volvo Dealership, this was a showroom ornament for 14 years, covering only 1000 miles in all that time.  It is one of only four Volvo PV444-08’s known in Europe and the only example in the UK.
        
PV444-08’s were produced for the USA Market only, but a few did escape onto the home (Swedish) market. These cars can be recognised by being fitted with the sports B16B engine which has twin SU 1 ¼ Carburettors.
        
588 XUW has had some cosmetic paint work on the outside, other than that, is completely original. On her 3rd set of tyres, she has covered 65,000 miles from new.

Colin & May Tatlow, Cornwall

Volvo 221 ESTATE - 1964

THIS IS ONE OF SIX CARS PURCHASED FROM THE ESTATE OF CHRIS HART (L H MOTORS OF PUTNEY) IN APRIL/MAY 2011.

IT APPEARS FROM THE TAX DISC IN THE FRONT WINDOW THAT IT HAD SPENT 25 YEARS STANDING AGAINST A BRICK WALL IN THE YARD,  LEAVING THE RIGHT HAND SIDE IN A POOR STATE. 
IT HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO A COMPLETE RESTORATION OVER THE LAST 16 MONTHS, ALL BUT THE PAINTWORK BEING CARRIED OUT AT HOME.  IT HAS HAD NEW FRONT WINGS, OSF “A“ POST AND NEW STAINLESS STEEL BUMPERS. 
THE FLOOR PANS, BRIGHTWORK AND INTERIOR ARE ALL ORIGINAL.  THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR IS LIKE NEW AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR REPAINTED, THE WHEEL WELL IS PRISTINE AND CONTAINS THE COMPLETE, ORIGINAL TOOLKIT.
THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS TOTALLY SEIZED AND HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A 1966 B20B FITTED WITH TWIN SU CARBURETTERS.
THE FRONT GRILLS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH REPLICAS OF THE EARLIER 120 SERIES, MADE IN GREECE FROM FIBREGLASS WHICH HAS BEEN CHROMED.  THESE ARE AVAILABLE TO ORDER.
TONY AND GILLIAN WHITTON, SUFFOLK

Volvo 123GT - 1967

THIS RARE 123GT WAS PURCHASED IN 1997 FROM PRETTY GARAGES OF SCOLE, NEAR DISS IN NORFOLK.

IT WAS IN A VERY POOR STATE AND HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.  ONLY BEING TOTALLY FINISHED TWO DAYS BEFORE DRIVING UP TO THE SHOW!
THE ENGINE IS THE ORIGINAL AND HAS HAD NO REMEDIAL WORK CARRIED OUT TO IT;  IT STARTS AND RUNS SMOOTHLY AND IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE AROUND 30MPG.
THE INTERIOR IS ALSO ORIGINAL AND IT HAS RECLINING SEATS WITH LEATHER INSERTS.  ONLY THE FRONT FLOOR MAT, ALONG WITH THE DASH TOP, HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED.
THE EXTERIOR BRIGHTWORK IS ALL ORIGINAL, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BUMPERS WHICH ARE A SET OF NEW (OLD STOCK) GENUINE VOLVO.
THIS CAR WAS FITTED WITH WIDE RIMS AND TYRES FROM NEW, GIVING ADDITIONAL “STICKABILITY” WHEN CORNERING!
REPLICA 1960 120 GRILLS HAVE BEEN FITTED IN PREFERENCE TO THE ORIGINAL AND THESE ARE AVAILABLE TO ORDER.
TONY AND GILLIAN WHITTON, SUFFOLK
Volvo 1800E – 1970

I purchased the car in 1989, having just sold my Lotus Espre and was looking for a new project, when one of my friends told me of a car which I may be interested in.
The car was hidden in the back of a small garage under a heap of cardboard boxes in Colchester. The garage owner told me that it belonged to a gentleman who lived in Ipswich, who may wish to sell. On closer inspection I found the entire engine apart from the block was in the boot, the rest was scattered around the garage.
Looking at the scale of the project I decided to go home and think about what I was taking on. A week later I returned and purchased the car at an agreed price which included the replacement of the engine. Unfortunately after waiting 6 weeks the engine had not been replaced so I decided to take the car home and finish it off myself.
I have all the cars MOT’s and the Service Book, with the name and address of the original owner and supplier. DYL 524J was recently featured in Practical Classics.
Colin & Pauline Atkinson, Essex
Volvo 244DL - 1979
This Volvo was originally purchased in 1979 by a member of the British Embassy staff in Virgina, United States of America.

It was delivered direct to the USA from Sweden in Right Hand Drive form in United Kingdom specification.

It spent the first year of its life in America bearing Virginia state registration number NXM 213.

The original owner,his wife and this Volvo were the last Embassy staff and their car to return to Britain via the Cunard Liner the Q.E.2 arriving at Southampton on 9th June 1980. The car was then registered by the DVLA with a Worcestershire Registration Number dated 1980 - AAB 995W.

In reality, being a 1979 car you would expect it to have been given a 'V' registration number, but when you check the accompanying HMSO mileage and fuel purchasing log book that has come with the car since it was new, the first entries for this car relate to April 1979 which in fact would make this a 'T' Reg 244 and one of the very first to have been produced with the 1979 Square Headlamp and new shape tail lights 'Facelift' which appeared that year.

In early 2009 the wife of the late original owner sold the car to Edwards Auto Services before it was then sold to our selves at the 2009 Classic Motor Show in Birmingham.

The condition and originality of this car was a real attraction despite the fact that she has a manual transmission, the only car in our collection to not feature an automatic transmission.

She has been christened 'Margot' by ourselves, befitting her era from the ‘Good Life’ and the fact that both 145 and 245 Volvos featured in the series.

She is now stored with her fellow treasured Classic Ladies near Aberystwyth in West Wales and is the favoured transport of Mr Jack our West Highland Terrier.

She has since been issued with private registration number OFF 11A which is a local old number plate to our region.

Since acquiring her we have endeavoured to complete a range of detailing work including  :

Cambelt and tensioner replacement
Full service, twice since 2009.
Repair bonnet release mechanism
New headlight wipers
Four brand new 'Firestone' tyres
New front disc brakes and pads
New rear brake pads
All wheels professionally re-furbished
New genuine Hirschman aerial
New gear shift bushes
New Swan neck tailpipe silencer
Waxoyled
Refurbishment of both wing mirrors and supporting arms

'Margot' receives a continual programme of detailed cleaning and valetting to maintain her condition but has been used in all weathers including the harsh winter conditions of 2009 and 2010 where she embarrassed many a new car including our own in how her narrow 175 tyres dealt with the lying snow.

Given her age, this is a car that still feels remarkably modern and well engineered and is perfectly at home in modern traffic and is built to a standard that far exceeds many a new car.

She has just passed another M.O.T. without issue and now has covered 28,600 miles.
Owners: Martin Ralph and J-P Rowlands, West Wales
Volvo 760 Turbo Low Rider –  1989

Project started in 2003 by Russ Venril (Birmingham) and continued by Ray Mercer (Bury) in 2008.
The hydraulic system is by Pro-Hopper and cost £2500 when purchased in 2003. It can lift the body 8 inches at the front and 10 inches at the rear. Each axle and each wheel can be independently operated, which enables the car to stand and be driven on 3 wheels. The system operates through two 36 volt pumps, powered by six 12 volt 110 amp heavy duty batteries in the rear, the batteries were replaced in 2010 for £437.10 (trade price) and should last for 3 years if treated with respect and charged and handled correctly.
Paintwork is metal flake PF 005 Orion Cerise and AF 0111 Holo Silver and was undertaken by Dragon Art in Birmingham
The 800 watt sound system is loud and can be linked to the interior and under floor lighting system.
The 14” chrome spoke wheels were hand built at a cost of £1600 and need regular and through cleaning.
Mechanically it is the tried and tested 4 cylinder Volvo B230 ET engine with a few modifications, coupled to a 4 speed AW71 automatic gearbox. Engine produces 182 bhp
The modifications have added some 250 kg to it and it now weighs 1710 kg (3770 lbs), about 1.65 tons in old money
Current mileage is 166,000 and we have full history and documentation from new.
The car is used on the road and currently and does not have a garage due to other projects. 
Planned enhancement is upgrade the charging process to maintain and recharge the lifting system using the existing alternator, although we do not know how practical this concept is, any ideas are welcomed.
Owner ColinHughes, Northampton

Itera ‘Volvo’ Plastic Bike - 1983

In December 1977, Volvo in Gotheburg wanted to produce minicars and investigated conditions and designs. In January 1978 it proposed plastic composite materials in many parts of the car. Other products were considered, the bicycle being one of them.

In October 1978 a grant of 54,000 Swedish Krona was given by the Swedish National Board for Technical Development to finance a prototype plastic bicycle.

In February 1980, a rideable bicycle was demonstrated to the state owned bank and a loan of 6 million krona granted. In march 1980 “Itera Development Center AB was formed to design, produce and market composite material bicycles.

In September 1981, the first bicycles were shown to retailers and the press, with nationwide advertising scheduled for the spring of 1982. The bokes were delivered unassembled with tools provided in the box. In autumn 1981, more than 100,000 Swedes indicated they were interested. In February 1982 production started at Vihelmina. However sales were slow and the media lost interest.

The following year (1983), was worse. Boxes of bikes were piled up in shops.

In 1983, 1,000 Itera bikes were purchased for a national five-day orienteering contast. They were rented to participants who were invited to buy them after the event. All of these were sold, which proved there was a market for the product, but by now it was too late and attempts to relauched the bike to save the project failed.

Production ended in 1985. Approximately 30,000 bikes were produced and all remaining stock was sold to the West Indies where they became popular.

The bikes occasionally come up for sale, with some selling for hundreds of pounds. The highest price to date was $1500 in the USA.

This is 1 of 2 that I own and I am looking for a set of panniers that were offered as an optional extra.    

Colin Hughes, Northampton

Our Thanks to all those Members who helped man, build and brought along their cars for the Club display and also all those who visited us during the show – We all look forward to seeing you again next year.