The Volvo P1800 ES Three-Door Estate Is Back as a Stunning Restomod

The Icon That Never Went Out of Style

The Volvo P1800 coupe of the 1960s remains one of the most beautiful classic cars ever built — and it still turns heads wherever it goes. A few years ago, the two-door coupe became the foundation for the Volvo P1800 Cyan restomod by Cyan Racing. Then in 1972, Volvo introduced the P1800 ES — a shooting brake variant that inherited the coupe’s dramatic looks and became famous for its iconic glass tailgate. Volvo would later revisit this distinctive design language on both the 480 and the C30.

Now, the three-door estate is being reborn — this time in the Netherlands, under the name Norrsken (Swedish for “Northern Lights”).

The Norrsken restomod breathes new life into a silhouette that defined Scandinavian automotive elegance half a century ago.

Meet Autoforma: The Dutch Studio Behind the Norrsken

The Norrsken project comes from Autoforma, founded by Niels van Roij. His London-based design studio, Niels van Roij Design, has already built a strong reputation in the coachbuilding world with projects including:

A shooting brake estate based on the Tesla Model S liftback
A shooting brake conversion of the Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe
A three-door Range Rover body conversion

For the Norrsken, Autoforma collaborated with Volvo Lotte, a specialist in historic Volvo models, to ensure every detail is handled with the authenticity the original deserves.

Autoforma’s portfolio spans some of the world’s most prestigious marques — but the Norrsken may be their most personal project yet.

How the Restomod Is Built

Each Norrsken begins with a donor Volvo P1800 ES that is completely stripped down and meticulously restored from the ground up. From there, the car receives a series of carefully chosen modern upgrades:

Modern LED lighting front and rear
New bumpers and updated exterior trim
Rear spoiler for a subtle performance touch
Widened wheel arches to accommodate larger forged wheels
Wider performance tyres for an aggressive, planted stance

The result is a car that feels genuinely contemporary while remaining unmistakably true to its heritage.

Every panel, arch and light cluster is the result of months of hands-on craftsmanship — restoration and reinvention in equal measure.

Interior: Classic Atmosphere, Modern Craft

Inside, Autoforma’s philosophy is to preserve the soul of the original — including the original seats — while elevating the quality of every surface. Buyers can personalise the cabin with a choice of premium materials:

Leather, Alcantara, or wool upholstery
Wood veneer or aluminium dashboard trim

The goal is a cabin that feels like a living piece of design history, not a pastiche of it.

The Norrsken’s cabin strikes a careful balance: vintage character preserved, modern quality unmistakably present.The Norrsken’s cabin strikes a careful balance: vintage character preserved, modern quality unmistakably present.

Three Design Variants to Choose From

Autoforma has announced three distinct design directions for the Norrsken:

Forward Fashionista — the boldest, most avant-garde of the three
Modern Marvel — a contemporary interpretation that stays close to the original spirit
Heritage Heaven — the most faithful to the classic P1800 ES aesthetic

Whether you want to make a statement or honour the original, there’s a version of the Norrsken built for you.

From understated elegance to bold individualism — each Norrsken variant tells a different story while sharing the same iconic bones.

Performance: A Turbocharged Future

Full technical specifications haven’t been released yet, but Autoforma has confirmed that the standard naturally aspirated engine will be replaced by a more powerful turbocharged five-cylinder Volvo unit — a fitting nod to Volvo’s performance heritage while delivering decidedly modern output.

Beneath the classic bodywork, a turbocharged heart promises performance that the original engineers could only have dreamed of.

Exclusivity, Craftsmanship, and Price

The Norrsken is not a car for everyone — and that’s exactly the point. Key details:

Build time: approximately 18 months per car
Production volume: no more than 5 cars per year
Fully bespoke: each vehicle is customised to individual client specifications
Starting price: approximately €300,000

For collectors who want something genuinely rare, beautifully crafted, and rooted in one of Scandinavia’s most beloved automotive designs, the Norrsken represents a compelling proposition.

With just five cars leaving the workshop each year, the Norrsken is as rare as it is remarkable.

Final Thoughts

The Volvo P1800 ES was always more than just a car — it was a statement of Scandinavian design confidence. The Norrsken restomod by Autoforma honours that legacy while pushing it firmly into the present. With only five examples built per year, those lucky enough to commission one will own something truly extraordinary.

Interested in classic Volvo restomods? Stay tuned for more updates on the Norrsken project as technical specifications are released.

Photo: Sergey Sechnev
This is a translation. You can read the original article here: Трехдверный универсал Volvo P1800 ES вернулся в виде рестомода

By Sofia Laurent

Published March 27, 2026 • 4m to read