Shearing my quest for a Volvo P1800

That's too bad. The P1800 is a sweet looking classic. I remember WD did a restore on the show.
If the numbers don't work, well its on to the Next...
Cheers

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VHtkXYpe0o]Wheeler Dealers - Benzinedampen - YouTube[/ame]

 

I know exactly how you feel... misrepresentation on most everything is running rampant. I've had the same experiences as yours when looking for Ferraris in the past. After awhile you become so jaded that demanding full disclosure, to include explicit photo documentation beforehand, labels one as a "tirekicker" or similar.

On the flipside, everything I've sold of significant value/interest during the past 20 years was truly represented as is and without any doubts. List includes; a house in Niceville, 82 Ferrari Mondial, 80 Triumph TR8, 87 Fiero GT, 97 Donzi Classic 22, 2006 Four Winns 255 Sundowner, 2001 Buell X1 Lightning, 2007 Ducati 1098S and more... All were happy customers

 

I owned a '66 P1800S for about 7 years, up through about 1978. While not as quirky as Saabs of the era, it was definitely different for it's time. The temperature gauges (both oil and water if I remember correctly) were not electric but had shielded pressure lines running to the block with bulbs and expansion fluids to do the work, the twin SU carbs took some getting used to (I still have the synchronizing tool I used to balance idle flow which later came in handy on an 86 Range Rover) and the electric overdrive actuated unit was cool. With back "seats" in the 911 tradition, I still managed to stuff three into the thing on occasion. It was a tank of a car which burned a valve just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska on a trip from Chicago to Denver, but got me home on three cylinders. I would agree that you need to be wary of rust problems when looking for one.

I still recall the surprise of my girlfriend of the time when I slyly reached over to the far side of the passenger seat, tripped the release and the seat back instantly dropped to the fully reclined position. Not something one would have seen in a typical vehicle of the time. Ahh..the good old college days.

Brock
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when you find the right one offered by a seller that isn't a damn liar:

https://www.google.com/search?q=prancing+moose&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Tuu&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=XANHUdyrG6aPiAeJyICoAg&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1183&bih=563#hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=buu&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=prancing+moose&oq=prancing+moose&gs_l=img.12...0.0.0.6316.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0...1c..6.img.FKDTDrQP3p8&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.43828540,d.aGc&fp=611c278bc75c8579&biw=1183&bih=563

I'm thinking maybe a set of fender shields to update the look a little?

 

>The interior he sprayed it with white paint.

he spray painted the seats?

 

Home Page | Leatherique Restoration Products

I use an airbrush, two light coats. This job doesn't look half bad.

For the rest of the car, it's pretty common for 40 YO cars to be misrepresented. I see it regularly.

 

My 72 P1800 is my favourite car in my collection. The lines, the curves, the fins, the charm, are simply unique. My future daughter in law already told me she wants to be driven to the wedding in it. She could have picked the E55, the M3, the 308...but no...she wants the P1800. Mine is in pristine condition, no bondo, zero corrosion, solid frames, etc. It won 3rd prize in its class at the Classy Chassis in Houston, and it has also been accepted for (6 weeks from now) Keels and Wheels near Galveston.
This car still does not receive the proper attention and admiration for its lines, despite being designed by Frua a subsidiary of Italian Guia, because it is a Volvo, and Volvo is never thought of as producing beautifull cars. But this one is an exception.
If you admire this little jewel, my advice is to keep looking for the best possible example you can afford. I would personally avoid the early "Jensen" cars assembled in the UK due to their notorious issues. Go for a Sweeden assembled car.
here are a few pics of mine. Cheers.
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That is a sweet steering wheel. Looks like its a "Moto-lita Woodrim Steering Wheel".
I was looking at one for my MG as a better upgrade to what I have.
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I owned a 1970 P1800 for ten years. Drove it in college.

It belonged to an uncle who bought it new and it was the very first car I ever saw with a telephone - back in about 1976. He sold it to me in 1987 and I sold it back in 1997 (oddly on the very same day in Aug that I bought it from him originally).

Great car. Wished I had kept it.

 

Thanks for the compliments. One day soon the world will wake up for the beauty of this little gem.
The steering wheel is a Moto Lita imported from the UK. Very expensive ($650 USD), but worth everypenny in my mind.
Good luck on your search. cheers.

 

ebay currently has 4. The 68 white would be the one I would go for. Surprised to see a wagon version of this car...

see list here: p1800 | eBay
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The asking price is very low and he's selling as is. This is what I would do if I could get it for $2k. I would re-do the whole car with a new classic "storm gray paint" new upholstery, new wheels, rehab the engine parts, etc... This thing does have the potential of looking like a million bucks in the right hands.
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btw, for you fellas looking for your next car project, I have a great online TV for Wheeler Dealers episodes. Can't believe they just restored a Boxster, exactly what I have in mind for my next car project build!

YouTube has banned most of these uploads because of copyrights.
See some entire episodes before reruns on Velocity at any time: Wheeler Dealers 2013 Episodes Archives
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Mike,
My last Porsche was a 2001 Boxster S with the speedster option and I can say it really changes the look of the car (more retro in my opinion)!
Outstanding car and extremely well balanced, try to find the S model as the few extra HP make all the difference.
I am still partial to the silver with red interior... back to the retro thing...
Cheers,
Greg

 

You P1800 fans might want to check out the latest copy of Octane magazine, has two Dinos (246 and a 308GT4) on the cover, but includes a story on the cars used in The Saint, including a new TV pilot being made.