There was a time when I wouldn’t have given a Volvo more than a brief passing glance. I respected the company’s engineering, but its offerings never set my pulse racing. That attitude changed when my father decided to step away from a life behind the wheel of V8 Fords and bought a Volvo as his last daily driver. My first drive proved a revelation, and I am now one of the marque’s great admirers. While the company built its reputation on staid and solid family cars, the 1800S demonstrated to the world that it could produce a vehicle with genuine sporting credentials. This 1969 1800S is an example of that ability and presents beautifully. Its needs appear minimal, and its turnkey status means that its new owner can immediately enjoy the classic motoring experience. The seller listed the Volvo here on eBay in San Antonio, Texas. The bidding sits at $8,600, although that figure is short of the reserve.

The seller describes this Volvo’s overall condition as a 9/10, and it is difficult to argue with that assessment when you examine the supplied photos. The paint shines beautifully, there are no significant flaws or dents, and the vehicle appears rust-free. Due to their unique construction, the most vulnerable area on these classics is the lower front fenders. If rust develops there, addressing it can prove difficult and expensive. That aspect of this Volvo looks good, so that could see potential buyers breathe a sigh of relief. However, there is one question hanging over this classic that warrants clarification. They describe the paint shade as factory silver, but I’m not convinced. I’ve accessed several online resources and checked Volvo color charts for that model year and can find no evidence that the company offered this shade in 1969. It may have been a special order, but it warrants further investigation for those seeking an unmolested classic. Otherwise, the trim is in good order, and I can’t spot any problems with the glass.

The Volvo’s interior presents well for its age, which is a significant factor in a vehicle of this type. Interior trim can be expensive, but the upholstered surfaces and carpet look excellent. There are a few issues for the buyer to consider, which will lighten their wallet. While it isn’t clearly visible in the supplied photos, the seller indicates that the dash pad requires replacement. This will hurt because high-quality pads retail for $750. There are cheaper alternatives, but this is a case of getting what you pay for. They also state that the fuel gauge is inoperative, which could be the tip of the iceberg. If you examine the above photo carefully, you can see that the speedometer and tachometer needles aren’t on zero. The tach may simply indicate the engine is running, but I doubt the photographer was sprinting beside the car at 30mph to snap this shot! Once again, this fault warrants further investigation.

Powering the Volvo is the 1,986cc “B20B” four-cylinder engine producing 118hp. That power feeds to the back wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive. While the power output sounds modest, it still allowed the 1800S to hit a top speed of 109mph. It is also worth noting that running changes to the company’s “B” Series engines were largely evolutionary. It means that parts remain readily available and that these engines are a proven package that is notoriously long-lived. The seller states that the vehicle runs and drives well and has a genuine 77,000 miles on its odometer. They don’t mention verifying evidence, meaning potential buyers have another question to ask. The only fault they identify is the inoperative overdrive, although they feel this could be a faulty switch. If that proves the case, addressing the problem won’t break the bank.

The Volvo P1800/1800S/1800E story is one of longevity. The first car rolled off the production line in 1961, while the last car arrived in the showroom in 1973. It survived those years with evolutionary changes as the company saw no need to reinvent the wheel. The company found 39,407 buyers during that time, which sounds reasonable until you consider that the figure represents worldwide sales. That makes the 1969 1800S a relatively rare beast worthy of preservation. This one looks promising, and I won’t be surprised if the bidding nudges $15,000 before hitting the reserve. What do you think?