Volvo 144E 1974

Description:

Description from The Vendor:

The car is one of the last of its line, a fuel injection Volvo 144E registered on 01.05.1974. I believe it is one of two left and had been garaged since 1992.

I bought it privately, through the website Car and Classic, from the son of the
former chauffeur to the author of The Saint series books, Leslie Charteris, as immortalised by the late Sir Roger Moore as Simon Templar. The deal was clinched on the first day advertised last July. The £4,000 paid is the price of the very obvious provenance here!

The brakes have been completely renewed and the bodywork touched in but still wearing its original paint largely. The exhaust and fuel tank have been replaced (the second item is a
conundrum as we think the manufacturer did a BMC Parts Bin exercise since the 244 series was then imminent). I want to maintain the wonderful ownership here but have bowed to wheel trims, electronic ignition, an immobiliser and older-style Blaupunkt stereo. New tyres
all round.

The history file is relatively thin — see below re lack of mileage.

The odometer reads 33,500 miles and the paperwork that I do have confirms this to be true.

It has not been valued as is but I have spent some £6,000+ thus far although the intention was to keep it. I would hope it might now be worth the best part of £10,000 — the garage tell me that this is the figure that they would rely on if a total loss.

Auctioneer’s Notes:

This is a rare electronic fuel-injected 144E, they were only made in 1973 and l974.  With the fuel injection the power was increased to 122 HP which gave a top speed well over the ton.  Interesting history, the first owner was Leslie Charteris (he wrote the Saint Books) which became a TV Series starring the late Sir Roger Moore.  The author gave the car to his Chauffer, J W Baker, who promptly put her into storage where she was kept for 30 years or more until the vendor purchased her and recommissioned her.  She has a Haynes Workshop Manual.  She may be viewed, strictly by appointment.