Importing a P1800 but which one??

[Ben O Brien]

Hi all
Im new to this part of the forum but have a question to ask.I am hopefully importing another 242 from california and am also going to import a P1800 because ive always liked them.A friend who lives in CA part of the time told me they are plentiful and will help me find one.
My question is Is there any special model i should look out for for its rarity or value and is there any type i should avoid.
By the way im in ireland if anyone knows of a shipping company they have used/heard of etc.

Best Regards
Ben
82 242
82 244
89 245
91 245
96 850

[George Holmer]

You have a large garage or just loads of cash to spare? I thought you said you are 17? Do not get me wrong, I think it is great that you like Volvos and fix all these cars but you seem to have a few. I mean, I find it difficult to keep just one going.

George

[link:www.ttsservices.co.uk/my%20volvos.htm|http://www.ttsservices.co.uk/imm021.jpg]

'95 940 Polar LPT (B230FK/AW71; 130k)
'87 740 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/ZF22; 210k)

[Ben O Brien]

Hi
Yes i have 4 of my own-the 240s but 2 of them are going very soon when i finish taking all the parts off.Two were bought to be used specifically for parts and cost a total of 695 euro,the 242-bargain of the century-325 euro and my dad gave me the 89 245.
I am 17 but currently dont drive-the insurance here is a bloody rip off,2700 euro for me on a 1.0 polo-the car wasnt even worth it.
For me its purely a hobby and the p1800 could probably go under my dads fleet ins. and would be driven by my parents.I get the kick out of fixing them and messing around with the cars as opposed to driving them.
Best Regards
Ben
82 242
82 244
89 245
91 245
96 854

[George Holmer]

I think that that is great, P1800s are beautiful. To answer your question, do not by a Jensen-built one but a Swedish one, much better build-quality.

George

[link:www.ttsservices.co.uk/my%20volvos.htm|http://www.ttsservices.co.uk/imm021.jpg]

'95 940 Polar LPT (B230FK/AW71; 130k)
'87 740 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/ZF22; 210k)

[Ben O Brien]

Cheers George,I have a contact in california who is a cartoonist of all things and spends half his time in dublin and half in california(i bought my 245 SE off him) but he is on the lookout for suitable p1800s,he is going to send me home the equivalent of loot in the uk and buyandsell in ireland and once ive a car picked hell go and do the deal for me,
Will keep you al posted if or when i get one.
You wouldnt know by any chance which size engine or body style is rarest as i know they come in hatches aswell i believe.Would naturally go for the 1.8 twin carb coupe but not sure,the way i look at it its going to cost a fair amount of time and money to get it here i may as well get the right one.
Best Regards
Ben
82 242
82 244
89 245
91 245
96 854

[George Holmer]

The ES is rarer than the normal coupe but not as stylish in most peoples opinion. I am pretty sure there was a fuel injection type and I would go for that.

http://www.volvop1800club.se/eng/index.htm

If you read the history, it would seem to me that the one to go for would be the P1800E with B20E and disc brakes all round.

George

[link:www.ttsservices.co.uk/my%20volvos.htm|http://www.ttsservices.co.uk/imm021.jpg]

'95 940 Polar LPT (B230FK/AW71; 130k)
'87 740 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/ZF22; 210k)

[divebomb]

Hi Ben,

If it's a rarety you're after you could look for a convertable. 50 coupes were converted for the US market in 1965 - they would be the 1800S type with the B18 engine. I believe there were a few converted for the UK market too.

Generally I believe the earlier Jensen built P1800s are the most collectable but, as George pointed out build quality is a problem with these.

In my view a post '68 1800S is more desireable than the 1800E. It has the B20 (2 letre) engine and the disk brakes but not the plastic front grille or the fuel injection which I have heard can be problematic.

[Ben O Brien]

Hi
thanks for the advice,
Im not looking for speed or performance(thats what the 242s for)
but im after something collectable and stylish but i dont want something that will fall apart under me either thats why i chose the volvo.
Ill let you know when i recieve the list of suitable cars from my friend in CA.
Perhaps both of you could give me your opinion on what i should go for after i post the list on this forum

Cheers
Ben

[George Holmer]

Sounds then that maybe an early P1800S would be the thing.

George

[link:www.ttsservices.co.uk/my%20volvos.htm|http://www.ttsservices.co.uk/imm021.jpg]

'95 940 Polar LPT (B230FK/AW71; 130k)
'87 740 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/ZF22; 210k)

[GL]

I've got a '66. I like the earlier (pre-'67) trim. The earliest ones were made in the UK and (no offense) hade some quality control problems and so Volvo moved production to Sweden. I'd stick with a '65-'67. '69 and later models did come with fuel injection. It ok but I prefer the carburated versions. The later models came with rear disc brakes and a bigger engine that produced a few more horsepower, but the acceleration is not really noticeable as the rear gears are higher, so I'd still suggest an earlier ('65-'67) model.