I bought a 1970 P1800E a couple of weeks ago with the intent of totally renovating. The car didn't look too bad considering but I knew there was quite a bit of bodging done by one of the previous owners but I'm not too bothered (not yet anyway). I picked the car up from Englandshire and with my lovely wife for company we drove the 550miles up to Aberdeen in Scotland. Apart from needing some oil and loosing a wiper on the highway it was pretty smoothe sailing.
My plan of action is too totally strip the car so I can fix the bodywork (structural and panels), paint it red (was originally red) but as I'm colour blind the wife will be helping here so I don't end up with a green car ;-) , new exterior trim, fix up the interior which isn't too bad but will do with the front seats being re-upholstered and new carpets etc, lower the car with sport springs, bilstein shocks and all new polyeurathane bushings and also get the engine rebuilt and improved so as to produce about 180 to 200BHP. AND all the other things that need attention along the way.
I've been doing research on the internet trying to find parts suppliers in the UK and abroad. I've spoken to Brookhouse Volvo about any potential panels or repair panels that I may need for areas that I can't or are to difficult to fix and I've spoken and been e-mailing KG Trimning in Sweden regarding my engine and suspension upgrades. Both companies have been very helpful and I'm hoping to get my engine and suspensions parts ordered soon so my mechanic can start the engine re-build.
On the weekend I had to set-up my workshop and garage and then pull the motor. All went pretty well apart from discoving my mobile crane hoist that I borrowed from work didn't really have enough oil and started to fade when I had the engine and gearbox raised above the front support member and grill.
This weekend I'll be giving the engine a clean and start stripping the car. We have a wedding on Saturday so probably won't get too much done.
Some pics of the car and getting the engine out:
http://www.scottishholidaycottage.ne...0/DSC01964.JPG
http://www.scottishholidaycottage.ne...0/DSC01970.JPG
http://www.scottishholidaycottage.ne...0/100_2540.JPG
http://www.scottishholidaycottage.ne...0/100_2543.JPG
http://www.scottishholidaycottage.ne...0/100_2560.JPG
http://www.scottishholidaycottage.ne...0/100_2562.JPG
Anyone with spare panels to sell please get in touch and any advice will also be great...
Mitch
07507646040