Although Volvo built its reputation on producing cars with conservative styling and a focus on safety, it did cause more than a ripple with its P1800. This was its first foray into sports car production, and like many vehicles from the company, it soldiered on for years with only evolutionary updates. This 1970 Volvo is an 1800E, signifying that its engine features fuel injection. The seller spent plenty on the restoration to this point, but it needs someone to see it through to its conclusion. If you feel up for the challenge, you will find this promising project listed here on eBay in Long Beach, California. There is a BIN of $15,000, although the option is there to make an offer.
The seller indicates they have sunk around $17,000 into the restoration of this Dark Green Volvo, but it still needs some love to present at its best. The list includes fresh paint and minor rust repairs around the car’s rear. There is nothing heartbreaking, with any problems appearing patchable. A significant consideration is the lack of rust in the front area of the rockers because issues there can be disastrous. That region is both triple-skinned and structural, meaning they require professional attention to ensure the car is safe. That isn’t a consideration with this classic, which means that someone with reasonable welding skills should have no trouble returning the 1800E to a rust-free state for a few dollars. The panels are pretty straight, and the glass generally looks good. The seller suggests replacing the windshield due to pitting, but the rest is acceptable. The grille requires minor repairs, and a few small trim pieces are missing. However, with items regularly appearing on the usual online auction sites and via some supportive owner’s clubs, finding those components should be pretty straightforward.
The listing suggests that most of the seller’s outlay on this classic has been directed at its drivetrain. It features the company’s iconic and bulletproof 1,986cc B20E four-cylinder powerplant producing 130hp. The power feeds to the rear wheels via the four-speed manual transmission with the optional Laycock overdrive. There’s plenty of good news for potential buyers below this Volvo’s skin. The seller replaced the entire fuel injection system, including the ECU. The suspension is new, including Bilstein shocks on all corners. The brakes are new, as are the radiator, exhaust, wheels, and tires. The list is comprehensive, leaving little for the buyer to do. The car runs and drives well, with the overdrive unit functioning as it should. The mechanical work was performed by a Volvo specialist, giving potential buyers an additional slice of comfort that it is of high quality.
This Volvo’s interior is complete and unmolested, but it is also pretty battered and bruised. Some gauges and the radio don’t function, but the shredded trim might represent the most significant investment in this restoration. Trim kits to return it to a factory state are available, but the price is eye-watering. They retail for around $3,500 if the buyer selects vinyl, with leather adding a further $500 to that figure. Compared to many American classics, that figure is high. However, assessing the other aspects of this build and what they will cost, the expense could be justified when we consider this Volvo’s potential value.
If the new owner of this 1970 Volvo 1800E focuses on transforming it into a tidy driver, it is possible they could double their purchase price. If they strive for perfection, its value could climb beyond $40,000. That is a significant gain, but it is worth noting that values have fluctuated significantly during the past couple of years. Buying any classic purely for its investment potential can be risky, and we’ve seen examples of that during the past decade at Barn Finds. However, this car requires more detail work than the injection of large quantities of cash, and the buyer may be able to complete many tasks to minimize the cost. It could provide an enjoyable driving experience when they lay down the tools for the final time, and it is impossible to place a value on that.
When I had my MGB in the 70s, one of my best friends had this exact car. He’s in his 70s, and I cringe when seeing one for sale, although, he NEVER would have kept it like this. In case some have never been in one, it’s the nicest 2 seater made. I know, that’s a hefty claim, but from my experience, it just is. The late Irv Gordon put an astonishing 3 million miles on one. Not many 2 seaters can make that claim. It has it all, dependability, comfort, power,,,meh, but handling, stopping, to heck with the investment, it’s a wonderful car. I’d have to assume, Cal. would be the place to find one, they didn’t do well in the salt. Very nice, nicest Volvo ever.
That’s where I’ve always questioned Irv’s 3 million mile claim. He does state the engine was changed, and I’m sure more than once, but what got me is that these cars really rusted badly on the East coast, and Irv was from New York . There’s no way a rust prone car could rack that kind of miles here with out rust- and even if he only drove it in the good months, then he would have to be on the road like 20 hours a day. His car must have had body repairs done.
Volvo’s first sports car would rather have been the P1900 convertible.
Not overly sporty, for sure no market success but it did pave the way for the P1800.
A little side note story is that the P name was a bit of an anomaly for Volvo. Up until the mid 50’s Volvo had a very defined naming scheme. PV for PersonVagn (Passenger Car), the rare ÖV for Öppen Vagn (Open car) and of course LV for Last Vagn (Load Car) for the trucks. And then there was a number to differentiate between the models. But the PV444 launched in 1947 changed all that. It became very popular in Sweden, it was just that no one would say PV444, it was just Volvo PV. So now Volvo couldn’t use the PV name anymore and shortened it to P and let the PV444/544 remain the iconic PV. This caused an interesting barnfind for a friend of mine who saw a brief ad in the local paper for a Volvo PV 53. The price was right and when calling the elderly seller he learned that it was a one owner car in good drivable condition. Much to my friend’s surprise, when entering the barn there was no 1953 Volvo PV but an ultra rare 1939 Volvo PV53! He did not complain!
Cool story and thanks for the history. You always remember your 1st,,,um, car. For me, it was a 1958 PV444. Since the 544 came out in late ’58, I could have had one of the last 444s, but it was just a $50 beater with a bad coil to me. The “444” script that was on the radio delete plate, is staring at me right now. When cleaning my parents house out, we found the script, and it’s mounted on the light above my computer. Naturally, you can imagine my surprise when one showed up here a while back. Apparently before I was a member.
https://barnfinds.com/22-years-in-storage-1958-volvo-pv444/
I liked this Volvo, and it was nice to drive as well as being a passenger. My friend kept it in the family, and just passed it on to his son and he passed it to his son and now it is in a “new” owner’s hand (but in the family). They take very good care of their cars (too bad that didn’t carry over to the wives), but I hope that ends with this “newest” owner.
My cousin and her husband bought a red 67 convertible new from volvoville in long island, same place Irv Gordon got his. They were not much for cosmetically caring for theirs… I used to borrow it for the weekend and vacuum, wash and wax it up then enjoy driving it.. It was not a powerhouse and was a bit wallowy in handling but man was it a cool unique ride… Very few were produced as they were converted at the dealership… Spoke with Irv a few times over the years and he said he wanted the convertible but couldn’t afford it… Also every million miles he registered Volvo would give him a new car. Hit his first million in 87 and received a 740turbo sedan…
Fun car to drive. I had several, 1965S, 1966S, 1971E.
Out of all, best was the 1966S;
I drove this car hard, and daily. Put a little over 160,000, as it only felt better. unfortunately, somebody cut the brake line as I got into an accident, and ruined the vehicle.
1965S was for parts,
1971E Fuel Injection & Automatic gave me a bit of problems.
1966S was truly a great vehicle.