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For Sale: 1968 Volvo 1800S in Pennsdale, Pennsylvania

Vehicle Description

1968 Volvo 1800S (VIN 183451026218): Narrative History. 

Bought in 1989 from an old acquaintance who asked me to take the car for (his) health reasons. I had been judging 1800’s for several years, and was so impressed with the car’s original condition, provenance and documentation that I decided it should be professionally restored, which took about a year.  It was shown only three times (1991, ’92, ’93) taking 1st place each time (see scoring sheet PDFs) and was retired to Master’s class in 1995. 

In 1996, I began vintage racing a 1962 1800 and I put the ’68S in storage, rarely driving it.  I love this car, but it’s time for it to go to someone who will and can take care of it as a pristine, stock example of the marque. It was completely gone through mechanically this year and it runs like a clock. (the original clock runs too!). 

This car is all stock, and 99% original as bought. The tail lights and license plate assemblies are new old stock (see receipt PDFs') The grill is original and has a few dings (a NOS grill is available separately). Most chrome was redone. Stainless side trim was in excellent shape, so it was polished as were the hubcaps. Interior is amazing. Upper and lower dash units are original and not cracked or repaired. Original carpets were re-dyed. Original seats (included with the car) had been reupholstered in vinyl but I installed 1970 seats w/headrests in new leather, incl. sides and backs. The Blaupunkt AM/FM/ (and SW!) radio works. The car never had AC. Headliner is perfect; side panels were removed and re-attached. A unique set of NOS Volvo red interior floor mats replaced the worn originals. 

Accessories (jack, crank, tool kit, spare w/cover, owner’s manual) are all original and in excellent condition. (Incl. a printed gearshift diagram).   Yellow Lucas fog lights were added in 1971 @ 39,387mi. 

George kept car paperwork obsessively (>100pp incl.); e.g., it shows that a new speedo was installed at 39,387mi on 3-1-71. It was replaced after ~2mos. (5-17-71), with a used unit w/ 16,577mi. A new “speedometer clock” was installed with “0003mi” at 67,503 mi on 7-12-74). Thereafter, he regularly added this mileage to work receipts. Verified by sequential repair records, this last speedo reads 29,119mi (6-11-15). So I THINK this adds up to 119,432 documented miles. (It makes one wonder how many miles a car with Smith’s instruments has on it if not documented!) 

The car runs fine. There is a record of new cam shaft and lifters 11-7-75 @ ~75,000mi; carbs overhauled @ ~81,000mi; noisy rear axle bearings noted 6-8-76, were replaced in 2015, as was the clutch master cyl. Other documented R & R items are routine. All the years I had it, I had no substantive issues with the car, aside from the brake booster which was repl w/ a new unit and a master clutch cylinder.  I’d drive it to Calif. tomorrow. The engine was cleaned but not removed during restoration. 

The shop recommended German BASF “Glasurit”, which involves four different paint products and steps. The results are spectacular; many have said it is the best paint job they have ever seen. (Old friend John Holtzapple, of Lancaster, PA and VCOA President, liked it so much that he used the same people to paint his own 1800 in Glasurit (see PDF). The tires are 165 X 15 Michelins, as original. They look good and are no longer available, but should be used for show purposes only. 

The pedigree and documented history of this 1800S is excellent. I have many more documents and records if you are interested please simply let me know and I would be happy to share the DropBox files with you. Its concourse record reflects the quality of- and care taken in the restoration. Speaking as a former judge of these cars, a modest touch up would make it a show contender, particularly given the history and accomp. documentation. It would be a shame to see it modified. A few of the 1800’s functional attributes may need updating, but its striking, head- turning style is timeless. And some modified 1800’s are spectacular and might be faster, but a car (esp. like this) can only be original once. I doubt there are many 1800 examples out there that have been appreciated or shown more respect than this one. 

Newark, OH, 2018  

Pennsdale (near Williamsport, PA, present car location) 

 

 

Vehicle Details

  • 1968 Volvo 1800S
  • Listing ID: CC-1108976
  • Price: $22,000
  • Location:Pennsdale, Pennsylvania
  • Year:1968
  • Make:Volvo
  • Model:1800S
  • Exterior Color:Red
  • Interior Color:Black and Red
  • Transmission:Manual
  • Odometer:119432
  • VIN:183451026218
  • Title Status:Clear
  • Restoration History:Fully Restored
  • Exterior Condition:Excellent
  • Seat Material:Leather
  • Bucket Seats:Yes
  • Supercharger:Yes
  • Engine History:Original
  • Engine Condition:Running
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