My p1800 project before starting

[markymark93]

Hi All. After seeing everyone else's projects on here, I thought I should attached a few pics of my 1964 Volvo P1800. I am going to the restorers in the next couple of weeks and will take some pics of it now. However, engine has been fully rebuilt, most of the welding is done and the engine bay and inside the car has been sprayed.

[markymark93]

[markymark93]

[markymark93]

[spitsfire]

I hope those pics are from before the welding/engine rebuild was done, otherwise you might about to get some bad news.....

Either way, I'll congratulate you on taking on an ambitious project!

What colour combo are you going to go for? I looked at (and was initially very tempted by) a Jensen built one about 6 years ago - the ad said 'fully restored', the paintwork (deep red) was beautiful and the chrome had been redone, but the silly sod hadn't had any welding done before getting it sprayed, and it was rotten as a pear underneath. He wanted 8k, I think I offered iro 4 (this was before prices started to rise), and was invited to take a long walk on a short pier.

So instead I bought another Triumph. Which turned out to be nearly as fooked

[markymark93]

Those pics are when I collected it. The car had been sitting in a field for 8 years after going missing from the last owner. He finally recovered it but did not have the heart to restore. It is a big project and the main issue is parts. I had to buy a donor car to get the majority of parts.
It is being painted in a gun metal ferrari grey with red leather interior.
The engine is a 60's ruddspeed tuned unit. Has been bored out to 1.9, different cam and some other bits and pieces. I have bought twin weber carbs for it and have comissioned a new exhaust and manifold for the car in stainless steel.

[spitsfire]

More pictures then, please

Are there many original panels left on it? From the pics it looks like the inner wings have gone, so I'd expect the floors, inner sills etc to have been well rotted too.

Excellent choice on the colour scheme too!

[markymark93]

The body is actually about 80% original. Needed front vallance, small section of front wing, driverside sill and rear floor and inner wings. I have a couple more pics I will post later. Going down to restorer in a couple of weeks and will take lots more then.

[Astacus]

Ambitious

These are truly cool cars in anyone’s book, so I look forward to seeing the "after" shots.

Keep us up to date

[markymark93]

the car is actually more solid than it looks. The main issue is the lack of parts. I bought a donor car and and people keep joking that the donor car should be the one that gets repaired lol.

I think the 1800 is am underrated car.

[gifdy]

I love these. Watching with interest...lots of pics as it proceeds please.

[GTRene]

indeed nice cars and with some history, remember the Saint, Simon Templar = Roger Moore







but...a modern version such as this is also nice>

[Pistom]

The Coupe looks good but the ES is my favourite.

[esso]

I like the P1800 too, like the sound of the colour choice,best of luck with the restoration.:-)

[markymark93]

I nearly bought an es the other day but common sense got the better of me lol. I'm not sure about a couple of things still on the car. I'm having it lowered by 40mm. But not sure if to keep stock wheels or upgrade to a deep steel wheel. I may get the existing painted to match the car and then make the choice.

[markymark93]

Here is a picture of the engine after rebuild. Carbs still to be fitted

[spitsfire]

^ Shiny Thanks for the pics! It's making me feel a desire to buy another classic, although I've still got 2 in bits, so it would probably make sense to start there....

Could be wrong, but I seem to recall that these engines were fairly easy to modify up to 130/140bhp with better breathing, cam and flowed head?

What have you had done on yours?

[spitsfire]

10 minutes later, and I'm on ebay, wondering how easy a rhd conversion is....

Then I start wondering how easily a 2.3T engine from a 940 would fit in.

I am mad.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1968-Volvo-p1800S-Origin...

[dpp]

Looking forward to this thread.
I like all restoration threads but this particularly appeals to me as I was thinking about a P1800 for my next project as
an everyday car and your colour combination is perfect and will suit the car really well.

[vixen1700]

Had a 1967 1800S in the mid '90s and it was my daily driver, truly a great looking car and the only car I've ever regretted selling as I doubt I'd ever get another with the prices they are these days.

Did a 50 miles a day commute and various trips to France and never missed a beat.

Great cars.