P1800 Any Thoughts 0n a 43 Year Old Clssic?

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 20 Jun 2006, 19:20

I have the opportunity to buy a 63 P1800 2-door Volvo. It runs a little ragged but there is no rust on the body (a little scale on the undercarriage). It has a clean interior that was reupholstered in 86. It has 37years of records - three owner car, first owner had it 10 years, the second had it till 2000 when he died, his daughter kept the car for her son who does not want it (she also did nothing to the car but drive it occasionally).

I have had a INDY Volvo mechanic check it out and his suggestions started with a $600 tune up with rebuild of the duel carbs, a set of tires, $400 brake job and possible wheel bearings. He also stated that it would be maintenance heavy due to its age. It is a basic car, drum brakes, AM radio, heat/defrost, and 4 speed.

Anybody have experience with the 1800? Words of wisdom or caution?

T

wojeepster · Post by **wojeepster** » 21 Jun 2006, 18:21

I like them. Do the work yourself and save a fortune and become one with your car in the process. 600 to tune up and to rebuild the carbs! That is a saturday afternoon job I guess they figure 5 hours at 100 an hour. I didn't think they came with drums but maybe the ones I am familiar with were later cars.

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 22 Jun 2006, 06:02

I am a fair shade tree mechanic. I had a multiple carb setup on a 70 Dodge about 20 years ago where I learned that propper tuning was almost impossible with my then limited tool kit. I can do the tune and brakes but I do not want to jump into a money pit.

wojeepster · Post by **wojeepster** » 23 Jun 2006, 15:28

I have an expensive carb syncronizer. I have found a rubber hose held up to the ear is better than the syncronizer. It doesn't drag down the engine and you can hear minute differences in the 'suck'. I do not think this car will be a money pit but I am going on your description. These are tough little cars and I can garanttee you will not have to by an air mass sensor for it~!