meet autoforma norrsken: a restomod of the volvo P1800ES

a restomod based on the Volvo P1800ES shooting brake

Autoforma has revealed the Norrsken, a restomod based on the Volvo P1800ES shooting brake. The project originates from the design studio of Niels van Roij and is developed in collaboration with Volvo Lotte. Its foundation is the glass-tailed P1800ES produced in the early 1970s, a car remembered for its clean proportions and restrained surfacing. Here, the familiar silhouette remains intact while surface tension, stance, and detailing are recalibrated to contemporary standards.

The original Volvo P1800ES carries a distinctive visual rhythm, with an elongated hood, a gently tapering roofline, and the frameless rear glass panel that reads as a single transparent plane. Autoforma treats these elements with care. The body appears subtly tightened, and the ride height is adjusted to bring the wheels closer with the arches.

Autoforma presents Norrsken as a design-led restomod of the Volvo P1800ES | images courtesy Autoforma

autoforma’s Three Design Directions

Norrsken is offered in three defined interpretations of its Volvo P1800ES restomod, each exploring a different reading of the classic form.

Heritage Heaven keeps close to period cues. Paint finishes draw from the original Volvo palette, chrome remains present and measured, and mechanical updates focus on composure and reliability. The stance is corrected without exaggeration as wheels feel era-appropriate in diameter and finish.

Modern Marvel introduces contemporary lighting technology and a more pared-back material approach. LED elements are integrated with attention to scale, avoiding visual noise. Suspension and power outputs are upgraded, yet the visual language remains disciplined. Exterior trim is simplified, and the palette shifts toward cooler metallics and subtle contrasts that sit comfortably within Scandinavian design traditions.

Forward Fashionista is the most assertive of the trio. Here, the restomod brief extends to a Volvo T-5 five-cylinder engine installation, revised transmission, enhanced braking systems, and reworked chassis geometry. The visual changes accompany the mechanical shift: carbon-fiber components, bolder colorways, and a firmer stance give the P1800ES a more purposeful expression.

while refining stance and surface detail, the project preserves the shooting brake silhouette

the norrsken’s exterior details

Across all three versions of the Norrsken Volvo P1800ES, attention centers on proportion and surface quality. The wheel design is reconsidered to sit flush within subtly revised arches. Tire sidewalls are selected to balance period character with modern grip, and the track width is tuned to enhance visual stability.

Lighting graphics are restrained, as front and rear signatures respect the geometry of the original housings while incorporating modern performance. The glass tailgate remains a defining feature, framed with precision so that the transparency feels intentional and crisp. Chrome is either retained or reduced depending on specification, yet it always follows the line of the body.

wheel design and track width are recalibrated to strengthen proportion