1966 Volvo 1800S P1800S P1800 EXCELLENT DRIVER!!!

History: The Volvo was originally bought by a family from Los Gatos. California (a very nice and dry locale!) and was owned by that family in Los Gatos until 2001 (see pic of original service journal).   It was then bought by a gentleman in central North Carolina.   I bought it from him in 2009 and have driven it a couple of times a week since.  

General condition:  This 1800 is a very nice driver and has NEVER given me any problems.   Has always started even on cold days. has never broken down. and certainly never left me stranded.   The Volvo 1800 does after all have the reputation of being one of the most reliable cars of all time!  It runs. drives. and handles well.   It is not a newly restored example. and certainly does not drive like a new car. but for being mostly original. it does pretty well.   Regular maintenance has been done by me and I have most of the receipts for oil. filters. etc.   It has also gotten an annual inspection from Treasured Motorcar Services in Owings Mills Maryland--a very serious shop that works on a variety (although mostly British) classic cars.   My man Chuck there was a Volvo factory technician and knows a LOT about 1800's.   He was also in the midst of servicing a BMW 507 (I couldn't resist including a pic) and rebuilding the engine from a Ferrari 250GTE last time I was in! http://www. treasuredmotorcars. com/

Mechanical:  Like I said. I have never had any issues with this Volvo and the previous owner reported the same.   The motor was replaced about 18 years ago with a new B20 engine which is still going strong--good compression and doesn't burn oil.   The transmission shifts smoothly and the electronic overdrive functions properly.   The clutch was replaced in 2008.   The brakes are solid.   The dual SU carburetors were rebuilt by Chuck and all new gas lines put in.   The Volvo leaks a bit of engine oil but it appears only from the drain plug. and I certainly have never had to top off the oil between oil changes (every 6 months).   It also has a very slow oil leak from the overdrive and I top it off every 6 months or so as opposed to bearing the expense of replacing the overdrive seals.   The suspension is in good shape and the control arms were replaced by Treasured Motors a few years ago.   Guages: the tachometer. oil temperature. oil pressure gauges all function properly.   The water temperature guage and speedometer do not work.   Mileage is unknown as the speedometer does not work and only goes up to 99. 99 miles anyhow.   However. pedal/carpet wear suggest that this Volvo hasn't done a ton of miles.  

Exterior: Very solid for an unrestored example.   The car turns a lot of heads and gets comments whenever I drive it.   I have always kept it garaged as did the previous owner.   It is never driven when the roads are salted (which is infrequent here in Baltimore) and almost never driven in the rain.   Rust is limited to typical spots for 1800s and hasn't worsened in the 3 years that I have owned it: some bubbling in the fenders where the drain plugs clogged many years ago. and a small bubble under the driver side headlight (see pics).   There are also three small. barely noticeable (i. e. can only see them when the light is at a certain angle) bubbles on the driver side door--I assume where dings were touched up prior to painting.   I was told by the previous owner that the car was repainted about the same time the engine was replaced in its original "Volvo Green"-- color code 91 (also known as light green).   This is a very rare color and out of the 1000+ 1800's I have seen over the years for sale on eBay. craigslist. locally. etc. . this is the ONLY original (have seen a couple repainted to this color) color code 91 example that I have seen.    Having been garaged since its re-paint. the paint still looks very good.    The hubcaps and wheels show wear. but look appropriate for the car.   The tires have decent tread left. but are old enough that the new owner might want to consider new ones.  

The undercarriage is solid except for one rusted out spot in the driver side/front cross member next to the jack pad where water likely got trapped.   I don't drive it in the rain. but if that was were plan. it may be worth welding in a new piece of metal and giving it a coat of por15. or at the very least patching it up with fiberglass so that water can't get into the cross member.  The wheel wells are solid.  

You may also notice that the original front bumper was swapped for a bullhorn-style bumper from an original P1800.   These bumpers are highly desirable and not cheap!  I have the original front bumper and can send it along with the car.  

Interior: The original carpet is still in decent shape.   The front seats were reupholstered by the orginal owners and are still in good shape.   The back seat has been kept down for years and is in near-original condition.   The original headliner is in great condition.   The door panels are a bit beat up with a couple spots of foam showing but I don't think are worth replacing.   The dash has a couple large splits. but is in much better shape than most original 1800s I have seen (where there are a ton of small splits. the dash is dried out. etc. ).    The radio doesn't work and is not original (which reminds me the antenna is missing--never replaced b/c I think it looks better w/o it) which I don't care for. but original Bendix radios come up regularly on eBay for not a lot of money.  

Summary: this is not a restored car.   It is not the most pristine 1800 you will ever see.   If you are looking for a show car. this one is not for you.   If you are looking for a very nice driver that is a great value for a classic car and may be the most headturning vehicle you could get for 10K or less. this 1800 should be a serious consideration.  

I will be available during various times to show the car to anyone who has legitimite/serious interest and can make it to North Baltimore.  

Shipping: I am happy to deliver the car up to 75 miles (possibly a bit more depending on the location). and am also happy to coordinate with an auto shipper (buyer responsible for shipping costs) that the buyer has arranged--i. e. meeting them to load the car. or meeting them closer to a major interstate to save on cost.   I am located within 10 miles of I-83. I-95. and 695 which should save a bit on shipping.  

Payment: $500 deposit due within 48 hrs.   The balance is due in the form of a certified check or money order within 7 days.  

Any questions. please ask.  

Also published at eBay.com

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