The Volvo P1800 has turned 50.

The eye candy of classic style lovers debuted in 1961, and shaped the image of Volvo as a maker of vehicles with style and diamond-hard durability.

The design by Peitro Frua later morphed the sports car into a Grand Turismo Estate that inspired the Volvo 30 ― the modern equivalent of the P1800.

The 1800 model boasts world famous durability, with the 1800S headed for 3 million miles, the world’s highest-mileage automobile. The 1800 models are planned to remain in production for 10 more years.

(cynthiak@heraldm.com)