So, this entry is going to be a short one since the seller of this intriguing 1966 Volvo P1800S here on craigslist isn’t too generous with his description. I know we all roll our eyes at sellers like these who can’t take the time to explain what we’re looking at, but it is pretty clear this a true-blue barn find of one of the prettiest cars ever made (in the author’s opinion). We’ll have to fill in the blanks ourselves, so let’s turn it over to you guys: where does the rust hide on cars like these and is the $6,000 price a fair ask? And is anyone near Plainfield, NJ to take a look?
Oct 14, 2016 • For Sale • 23 Comments
Just One Peek: 1966 Volvo P1800S
Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.
$6,000??? I’m thinking $600 tops. Who knows what your really buying.
I see rust on the rear lip and mudflap corner. Not good. It’s a transition mid year with the small bumpers but big side chrome.
Looks like it’s all there. Bring some magnets…
want !!!
A sheep in wolfs clothing.
These rust around the headlights and front fenders in general. Rockers are also rust prone. Floors are not a hard fix. Body panels are getting harder to find, mechanically that’s easy as they share parts with the 122 Volvo..
I’m in for $2000 tops. This thing is moldy toast.
But I like it.
Um, didn’t Irv Gordon put 3 million miles on a car like this? Hmm, I wonder. Same car? How many red ’66 1800’s from out east, could there be. https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/070912_car_va_09.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=664&h=441&crop=1
Yes he did bit he uses his car frequently and gets it serviced properly and frequently. This car….I’m guessing, not.
I think the $$ he received from Volvo for those ads he & his car were in helped.
And BTW, Irv is Canadian, and not from NJ like this car, so it’s a different car
Hi Dolphin, Irv Gordon is from East Patchogue, NY. http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2011/06/Irv-Gordon-1966-Volvo-P1800-4.jpg
Howard, Sorry for the error, memory failed me again. I guess I was might have been remembering a big trip he took to Canada. Thanks for correcting.
I feel that the seller has gone into far too much detail in the ad. I mean, 48 pictures? Really? And 12 paragraphs just extolling the virtues of the paint? Seriously. Some people just need to learn to tone it down a touch. It’s not the Taj Mahal of cars.
PS. My favorite ad of all time said, “Good car. Must see.”
What’chu talkin’ about Willis?!?
JoeR, you don’t speak sarcasm?
My favorite ad of all time only said “Good deal” turns out it was a 1971 Javelin that I bought for $600.00 this spring.
There was on in our Dallas neighborhood – a couple of doors down from that girl in my class that wore pony tails alllll the time….about 1968….sadly she moved – we had some good puppy love going on…..that P1800 was around for a loong time….loved to hear him shift thru the gears….
I would not worry about the rust behind the wheels so much as I would worry about rust in the doors and around the windshield. I think that this car maybe far better than the flat tires and dirt would let you think.
I have not restored one of these myself but a couple of my friends have over the years. The bodies are fairly complex but patch panels are either easy to make or are available. The interiors are a major pain but if it is all there all the better.
These are not fast cars but I like the author think that they are very beautiful and shockingly useful for daily transportation. The engines can be rebuilt without major difficulty and one of my friends had a supercharger on his that made a real difference. Basically these P-1800’s have all the advantages of most Volvos in that they are hard to kill but not overly fast combined with real style. In dark blue or a wine red the shape of this car really pulls your eyes.
At a resent car show I saw one of these side by side with some newer mustangs an other modern muscle cars and they were getting no notice, while people swarmed around the P-1800. Sometimes good looks is all you need, so how about saving a well built Swede
Couldn’t have said it any better, Bruce!
I have a 67 P1800 that I picked up about 6 months ago… no motor, but otherwise pretty solid. I think the style on these is really classic… There is a lot not told on this, but since he is taking offers, if its all there, and not too much rust, seems like a starting bid of $3000 might be good, and try to end up under $4k. I think these are getting harder to find, and feel that prices will climb. Plus, I really like the old sports car feel of these interiors.
P 1800’s were built by Jensen in 1963 after that 1800S’s [S for Sweden] were built until the 1800E in 1970 – there is no P1800S
The only Volvo I’ve ever really liked.
This vehicle has not been registered for many, many years.
The nj inspection sticker on this car is on the passenger side. I believe nj started to put them on the drivers side somewhere in the early to mid 70s.
The engine has had some work done to it. You can see non oem hose clamps. The AC had been serviced as well, you can see the AC repair shop sticker.
I emailed the seller a couple of times but did not hear back.
Mileage on the odometer is probably original, and paired with date on inspection sticker would tell you when it was last on the road.
Plainfield was once home to many high profile bankers and business owners, so there are many huge beautiful homes. There were riots in 1967, and the city went downhill quickly. I wonder what else could lurk in some of the old carriage houses there.