The 1800ES has always been one of my favorite wagons, but this one just about made my heart stop. This is an all original, rust free, California car. This car looks amazing and would make a great driver. That is, unless you feel guilty driving such an original car. Find it here on eBay with bidding starting at $1,800 and the reserve not met.
The seller includes plenty of information in their listing. The orange paint is original, no rust, runs great. What more could you ask? A lot of work has been done on the car already. The suspension has been gone through with new bushings and shocks.
These four cylinder engines are bulletproof and this one has only covered 94k miles. Volvo built the bottom end so it could withstand anything. With five main bearings and more bearing surface than most V8s, this wagon should have many years of driving left in it. A new clutch has been installed along with new motor and transmission mounts. The engine has also been recently service and even an IDP header has been installed.
The inside looks just as good as the outside, with leather seats and wood trim. The gauges all work and the AC is reported to blow cold. The photos do not show the interior very well, but the seller claims that there are no rips and that everything is clean.
This car is an amazing example of a survivor. The best part though is that it has all been sorted out so it can be driven safely. There would be no reason not to use this as a daily driver. It has plenty of power, there is room to haul things, and it is comfortable. I just really hope that the next owner appreciates the car enough to take care of it as well as the past owners obviously have.
Very nice- always liked these. An orange Volvo!? What’s not to like…
Wonder why it has an 80s era blue plate?
Kraig- I am in CT but am curious…are the black plates in CA for antique/collector cars? I have seen many references to the black plates but am not sure what their purpose is? Thanks in advance for any info.
The color of plates has to do with the year of issue. As I dimly recall, CA stopped issuing balck plates in the early 70’s, follwed by the blue plate. If this car has a blue plate, it indicates it was licensed post early 702. I oved away near the end of the blue plate era, couldn’t tell you what the standard issue is these days. INterestingly enough, for a fee CA DMV will relicense black plates. My cousin restored the black plates on our family ’50 Merc (licensed in CA in 1963) and got them retagged after it wore AZ plates with my side of the family for 7+ years – very cool! btw, this is a killer Sportwagon!
I want it. And I’m a Saab guy.
@ConnShark: The black plates were issued in California from 1963-1969… lots of interesting collector cars are of that era, and many of the remaining rust-free examples come from California. The black plate adds some extra authenticity, though the law wa
Thanks for the info Matt.
Thank you too Bisbee…
Hmm, auction ended with no bids? Seller has 100% rating, kinda strange… Very good looking ride!
Oh, oops, he sold it off-ebay. Never mind!