The Volvo P1800 Cyan GT is a stunning restomod that re-imagines Volvo’s iconic 1960s P1800 for the modern era.
Meticulously re-crafted by Cyan Racing, this car marries vintage aesthetics with cutting-edge performance, offering up to 420 horsepower under a lightweight, carbon-fiber body.
With its blend of classic design and contemporary engineering, the P1800 Cyan GT isn’t just a nod to the past—it’s a powerful statement of what’s possible when tradition meets innovation.
A 420bhp Volvo P1800 Cyan blazing around a racetrack
This is a Volvo P1800 from the 1960s, refined, restored and upgraded by touring car outfit Cyan Racing. It is a car built to commemorate Cyan’s first ever world touring car championship win in a Volvo.
The Volvo P1800 is a classic icon, immortalised in popular culture by its association with The Saint TV series, where it was driven by Simon Templar, played by Roger Moore.
But what happens when this vintage beauty gets a modern makeover?
Enter the P1800 Cyan GT, a restomod that takes the original’s timeless design and injects it with cutting-edge performance and technology.
A Modern Marvel: The Volvo P1800 Cyan GT
When Cyan Racing first unveiled the P1800 Cyan, the automotive world took notice. This wasn’t just another restomod; it was a meticulously crafted machine that stayed true to the spirit of the original Volvo P1800 while pushing the boundaries of what a classic car could become.
With the new P1800 Cyan GT, Cyan Racing has once again raised the bar.
The P1800 Cyan GT is built to be more than just a showpiece. While the original Cyan was designed as a track car, the GT version is a Grand Tourer in every sense, offering a blend of performance, comfort, and style that makes it perfect for long drives on winding country roads.
Under the Volvo P1800 Cyan GT Hood: Engine and Performance
At the heart of the P1800 Cyan GT lies a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine
The P1800 is powered by a direct descendant of the engine that powered Cyan’s S60 TC1 to the 2017 WTCC title.
But this isn’t just about raw power. The P1800 Cyan GT offers a choice of engine outputs, ranging from 350 to 420 horsepower.
This flexibility allows owners to tailor the car to their specific driving preferences, whether they’re looking for a daily driver or a weekend racer.
The engine is paired with a bespoke five-speed Holinger gearbox, ensuring smooth and precise gear changes.
And while the original P1800 was known for its rear-wheel-drive layout, the Cyan GT maintains this classic configuration, providing a driving experience that is both exhilarating and engaging.
Lightweight Construction for Enhanced Agility
One of the standout features of the P1800 Cyan GT is its lightweight construction. Cyan Racing has utilized a combination of high-strength steel and carbon fiber to create a body that is not only incredibly strong but also exceptionally light.
With a total weight of under 1,000 kg, the P1800 Cyan GT offers a level of agility and responsiveness that is rare in a car of this size and power.
This lightweight construction, combined with fully adjustable suspension, makes the P1800 Cyan GT a joy to drive.
The suspension has been specifically tuned for country roads and long-distance cruising, offering a balance between comfort and performance that is hard to match.
A Bespoke Interior: Where Luxury Meets Performance
The Volvo P1800 Cyan GT’s interior seamlessly blends the classic 1960s design with modern luxury
The interior of the P1800 Cyan GT is a masterclass in bespoke craftsmanship. Cyan Racing has gone to great lengths to ensure that every aspect of the interior reflects the car’s dual nature as a luxury grand tourer and a high-performance machine.
The seats are upholstered in a combination of leather and corduroy, offering both comfort and support, while the interior also features increased sound deadening for a more refined driving experience.
Each P1800 Cyan GT is unique, with every car being tailored to the specific tastes and preferences of its owner.
One of the first GT models produced, for example, was finished in a stunning metallic green exterior with a sand-colored interior, a combination that exudes both elegance and sophistication.
The Price of Perfection
The rear view of the P1800 Cyan GT showcases its widened stance with flared wheel arches, sleek tail lights, and a subtly integrated spoiler, all highlighted by the car’s gleaming chrome accents and modern, aerodynamic contours that blend seamlessly with its classic silhouette.
Of course, all this craftsmanship and performance come at a price. The P1800 Cyan GT is not a car for the faint of heart, either in terms of driving experience or financial commitment.
The cost of a fully completed P1800 Cyan GT starts at around $600,000, depending on the specification and customisation options chosen by the owner.
Given the level of detail and the amount of work that goes into each car, this price is more than justified. Each P1800 Cyan GT is a labor of love, taking between 12 to 15 months to complete.
And with production numbers expected to remain extremely limited, owning a P1800 Cyan GT is not just about owning a car; it’s about owning a piece of automotive art.
P1800 Cyan GT: A Car for the Modern Enthusiast
For those who grew up thinking of Volvo as a brand focused solely on safety and practicality, the P1800 Cyan GT is a revelation.
This is a car that combines the best of Volvo’s heritage with modern technology and performance, creating a vehicle that is as thrilling to drive as it is beautiful to look at.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the P1800 Cyan GT is how it manages to stay true to the spirit of the original P1800 while also embracing the future.
The front of the P1800 Cyan GT features a striking blend of vintage elegance and modern aggression, with its signature rounded grille, sleek LED headlights, and bold, muscular fenders flaring out to emphasise the car’s performance-focused design.
This is not a car that lives in the past; it is a car that reimagines what a classic can be in the modern world.
Conclusion: A Timeless Classic Reborn
The P1800 Cyan GT is more than just a restomod; it’s a redefinition of what a classic car can be. By combining the timeless design of the original Volvo P1800 with the latest in automotive technology, Cyan Racing has created a car that is both a tribute to the past and a vision of the future.
For motoring enthusiasts, the P1800 Cyan GT is a dream come true. It’s a car that offers the best of both worlds: the nostalgia and charm of a classic, with the performance and luxury of a modern supercar.
Whether you’re a fan of classic Volvos or simply appreciate the art of automotive design, the P1800 Cyan GT is a car that deserves to be celebrated.
In the end, the P1800 Cyan GT is more than just a car; it’s a statement.
The P1800 Cyan is a reminder that even in a world obsessed with the new and the next, there is still a place for the timeless and the beautiful. And that, perhaps, is the greatest achievement of all.
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