OT - Opinions wanted, Volvo p-1800 ES Options

[rnellums]

I have an opportunity to buy a low-mile p-1800 ES wagon from a friend at a good price, and I wanted to know what this community's views on the car was. I spent most of the day today going over it and washing it with him. The odo currently reads 33k or so.

[r_towle]

5k is probably about right.

Drain the fuel, flush the tank. Oil, tranny fluid etc.
Do not try to start it with bad fuel.

Pump is under the tank in the rear, simple to clean up and deal with the tank.

Www.ipdusa.com
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Rich

[rnellums]

5k is probably about right.

Drain the fuel, flush the tank. Oil, tranny fluid etc.
Do not try to start it with bad fuel.

Pump is under the tank in the rear, simple to clean up and deal with the tank.

Www.ipdusa.com
Www.vclassics.com

Rich

I'm afraid he already started it up, but it started up easy enough, blew a bit of white smoke on startup, but nothing outrageous. It seems to leak a bit of oil too, and the interior could use some love. there is a rust bubble (pencil eraser) near the rear fenderwells, and evidence of an exterior re-paint to the original color.

[914bub]

I worked on Volvo's for 20 years and worked on a lot of 1800 coupes and ES's. They are fun little cars. They CAN be made to go through the twisties but of course not like a 914. Volvo made 40,000 1800's from 1962-73. Technically the only "P"1800's are the 62-64 cars built by Jensen but even Volvo labels them incorrectly now days on calendars, in commercials etc. Those are cool wheels and were only available for 2 years. I have 12 of those wheels sitting around,...but I'm a hoarder! While they were never available here in the states you can also find ATS wheels that look like the 914 wheels except, of course, for being 5 lug. ES's also look very cool with later 240 Turbo wheels on them. You can also install 740 or 940 turbo wheels on them. The possibilities are almost endless.

1800ES's were only made in 1972 & 1973 but I heard the actual production run was from July of 72 through August of 73. Volvo only made 7,000 1800ES's. It's kind of amazing how many are still around. I've worked on 30-40 different ones and have seen countless more.

Slap on some Bilsteins, IPD lowering springs,IPD sway bars and a limited slip and I think you'd be somewhat impressed. Sounds like that one is low mileage so it shouldn't have many issues. One problem they have is tearing the front suspension crossmember where the lower control arm bolts go through it. The upper shock mounts crack also,(where the shocks go through the crossmember), especially with "spirited" driving. Very cool that they have four wheel discs.

I used to have a ton of NOS sheet metal for them but I sold all of it when I started selling my Volvo stash. I still sell Volvo parts and have since 1999. If you need anything give a holler, if I don't have it, I'll know where to get it. Check out Scandcar, they have a LOT now for vintage Volvo's and it's great quality, (unlike scan tech parts).

ES's do have D jet and if you ever need wiring diagrams or repair info I've got all that. I also have parts fiche and a micro fiche reader if you ever need part numbers .
I wouldn't worry about firing it without having flushed the fuel system, we used to fire them up all the time after years of sitting. The overdrive is the same as those used in 240's so if you have OD issues don't worry. By drilling the mounting holes larger in 240 rear brake calipers you can install those if you ever need them. There are other parts that will swap in on those. The timing gear is fiber and they get sloppy and sound almost like a rod knock but with your low mileage you should be years from needing that sort of stuff. Upgrade the front and rear crank seals when you get a chance,they are felt and leak especially after having sat for a while.