Any thoughts on Volvo P1800s?

[LWJ]

Ever driven one? The stocker I drove was horrible. Not a sports car. Some IPD stuff could make it fun however. I think they look great however.

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Ever driven one? The stocker I drove was horrible. Not a sports car. Some IPD stuff could make it fun however. I think they look great however.

I drove the one we were looking at around the owner's neighborhood. It was, um, quaint. Yes, not a sporty ride by any means but that wouldn't matter. It's for my wife who wouldn't care.

I've driven cars from a '70 Nova with massive rust, a straight 6 and Powerglide up to a school bus to an F40. Given an appropriate context, I guess I can deal with driving pretty much anything.

[gatotom]

30 yrs ago, I was into Volvo's, easy motor to fix . I also owned and drove two P1800's last one was a 64 P1800S.

You feel like you are in a tank, tough car, not a pocket rocket but better than a poke in the eye.

I traded it straight across for a 76 BMW 320I.

[intakexhaust]

I like the P1800 styling. Don't know the lineage of the design and seemed there was some Ghia and Karmann in it?

Funny, just this last week I spotted one out in the country near a barn. First glance looks good.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by gatotom

30 yrs ago, I was into Volvo's, easy motor to fix . I also owned and drove two P1800's last one was a 64 P1800S.

You feel like you are in a tank, tough car, not a pocket rocket but better than a poke in the eye.

I traded it straight across for a 76 BMW 320I.

A '76? Must have been one of the first production.

But, oh my thanks for bringing up some bad memories. My '77 320i was one of the worst cars ever. Probably only one step above the Audi 100LS. Really, really bad. When the oil press. lamp glowed at idle and only 24k miles on it, that was the final straw to get rid of it. Dealer said it was normal. The fellow who purchased it from me had a pre-inspect and was told the same. I later learned the motor toasted plus a whole lot more.

[petrolhead611]

The P1800 was coupe only, predated the wagon, It was made by Jensen in England, allegedly not to Volvo standards so they took manufacture back in house and called it the P1800S. The fuel injected 1800E coupe and 1800ES wagon were all built by Volvo.

[Chocaholic]

Here's one for you on BAT. Price seems reasonable with 4 hours to go:

Restored 1973 Volvo 1800ES 4-Speed | Bring a Trailer

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Here's one for you on BAT. Price seems reasonable with 4 hours to go:

Restored 1973 Volvo 1800ES 4-Speed | Bring a Trailer

Thanks. My general morning routine involves getting coffee and checking BaT.

Unfortunately, my wife doesn't like the wagons. Coupes only.

[Overpaid Slacker]

I drove a coupe in 1996 that was owned by a Volvo mechanic. It was 9/10 cosmetically and 10/10 mechanically. A really nice specimen. I had always loved the look and could have written a check for it....
It drove like a truck. I don't mean "not sports car", I mean heavy everything -- steering, shift, brakes. It felt "solid", but in good and bad ways. Heavier than an Opel GT (which I'd owned for 5 years prior to that) if that point of reference means anything to you.

Doesn't mean I don't still ogle them at car shows, but I don't regret spending the money on other toys. I'd always wanted a Renault Alpine A110 as well... until I was in one.

-jPp

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by Overpaid Slacker

I drove a coupe in 1996 that was owned by a Volvo mechanic. It was 9/10 cosmetically and 10/10 mechanically. A really nice specimen. I had always loved the look and could have written a check for it....
It drove like a truck. I don't mean "not sports car", I mean heavy everything -- steering, shift, brakes. It felt "solid", but in good and bad ways. Heavier than an Opel GT (which I'd owned for 5 years prior to that) if that point of reference means anything to you.

Doesn't mean I don't still ogle them at car shows, but I don't regret spending the money on other toys. I'd always wanted a Renault Alpine A110 as well... until I was in one.

-jPp

It didn't strike me as quite that bad, but certainly not sporting.

I'm not quite sure what's gotten into my wife but she wants a car that's a toy in some regard. I may have redirected her attention to a BMW 2002, which would certainly be more entertaining to drive.

On the other hand, she's also always liked the Toyota FJ Cruiser (yes, I know, completely different than the above) and has talked about selling her current car and finding a low mileage FJ. I have my doubts if she'd like driving it on a regular basis, but the upside for me is it won't require anything but regular maintenance and I'll have a truck available if I need to tow something.

chicks.

[recycled sixtie]

Hi Pablo,
I also had a 1980 BMW 2002. It had a pretty good body but was not reliable. It had an auto transmission. When it ran it ran well. But then once in a while it would quit at a red light. The Volvo 1800 and the BMW 2002 were cars that I bought and did not have a PPI done. In the last 8 years I have bought used and have had PPI's done. Don't forget the age of these cars are 30+ years. Good luck with your search. It is not so much luck as doing your due diligence.
Guy

[930addict]

If I had one I would do something like this to it.

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by chocolatelab

Im in love with those and the bmw 2002's right now.

Kinda similar lines.

I hear you in that I like both as well. But I've driven both and they're not on the same level at all. The volvo is a pretty cruiser. The 2002 is a go kart in comparison ;-)
The volvo was never accused of being fun to drive, but it IS pretty and reliable... I'll leave rust aside, most classics are guilty of that anyway... If I had to describe it in Pelican terms, I'd say the volvo feels as agricultural as a 911SC being driven at 15 mph (where every control is heavy and clunky..... until you go faster in the porsche and it all smoothes out- except with the volvo it remains that way at any speed ;-)

PS: I bought the bimmer. I have a minimum threshold of "fun to drive" which the Volvo did not meet. But it's so pretty in grey with a red interior !! Much more so than a 2002 !

[Overpaid Slacker]

Originally Posted by PabloX

It didn't strike me as quite that bad, but certainly not sporting.

I'm not quite sure what's gotten into my wife but she wants a car that's a toy in some regard. I may have redirected her attention to a BMW 2002, which would certainly be more entertaining to drive.

On the other hand, she's also always liked the Toyota FJ Cruiser (yes, I know, completely different than the above) and has talked about selling her current car and finding a low mileage FJ. I have my doubts if she'd like driving it on a regular basis, but the upside for me is it won't require anything but regular maintenance and I'll have a truck available if I need to tow something.

chicks.

I've had a 2002 for 20 years now, and of all the toys (look down) I'd keep the 2002 if I could only keep one. But do the right thing, sir, and get a roundie!

For whatever reason, FJs demand some pretty high premiums, IMHO. The right one would be cool as hell to have. I had a Series IIA Bugeye Land Rover (I know, not the same thing) which was awesome, as long as I had another vehicle available.
-jPp

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by Overpaid Slacker

I've had a 2002 for 20 years now, and of all the toys (look down) I'd keep the 2002 if I could only keep one. But do the right thing, sir, and get a roundie!

For whatever reason, FJs demand some pretty high premiums, IMHO. The right one would be cool as hell to have. I had a Series IIA Bugeye Land Rover (I know, not the same thing) which was awesome, as long as I had another vehicle available.
-jPp

Somehow the FJ Cruiser struck a cord with a lot of people. I think it's the size plus capability (whether people need that or not) and that it's a Toyota, not a Jeep.

We both decided that we'll just keep our eyes out for a 2002 or possibly a P1800 at the right price/condition and go for it if one comes up. In the meantime, we have the 911 which is never getting sold anyway.

Another wrinkle is that I'm going to be up for a new DD in the next year or so. I'll probably go for a Golf R if they bring the manual transmission here.

[Deschodt]

Here's one on BAT today, with a Miata engine (why not) and giant wheels (why?)...

Volvo Other P1800 | eBay

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by PabloX

We both decided that we'll just keep our eyes out for a 2002 or possibly a P1800 at the right price/condition and go for it if one comes up. In the meantime, we have the 911 which is never getting sold anyway.

This one just showed up:

Restored 1968 Volvo P1800S 4-Speed | Bring a Trailer

[Deschodt]

Pretty car, underwent a full resto, and somehow came out of it with tach and oil pressure gauge not working - some restoration shop ;-) I love orange, but not so much on that car... I'd say keep looking for a 2002, it'll be more fun to drive.