The History of the Volvo P1800 - and I Finally Rescued one! 1800E / 1800ES 

Congratulations and my condolences. She will be pretty again I'm sure but, it will be after a lot of blood sweat and tears. I have a 70 P1800 that I bought some years ago for $200 dollars out a salvage yard. It was a straight car except someone had ran the engine out of oil and threw a rod through the block. I got an engine from another yard and completely rebuilt it. I've been driving the Volvo for ten years now without an incident, aside from normal consumable parts, brakes, belts, hoses, that sort of thing. They are great little cars and extremely reliable.

What a fun restoration that is going to be! I’ve had my ES since 1982 and still in immaculate condition 😎

Hello from Brazil. Beautiful color🟡, congratulations you deserve!

Welcome to the club. You will find that the 1800 was built with hand fitted parts and not as mass produced other Volvos.

Congratulations! Looking forward to follow along with the project 😎

if that's Safari Yellow, it's the same colour as my mum's Victor the Volvo 144GL. A 1972 car our family owned for 27 years

David have tried to contact you I have a 1964 p 1800 Volvo parts car I would give you

Very cool.

Acting class - tell us more! Any video links to productions you are in? You should have played 🇸🇪 Swedish group ABBA during the road-trip segments!

She’s got a few battle scars but she’s still so pretty…..enjoyed that.

amazing project! i already love it

LOL it sounds like a briggs and stratton lawn mower 😂

Last year, I e-mailed you about the Holly Sniper mod in San Diego. No one seems to know who the person is who owns that vehicle?

Wow bit of a bargain, here in the uk I stopped bidding at £8000 on an earlier chrome dash model and that was 3 years ago. Also yours looks fairly solid. Lucky man.

Hello ....McFly

What happened with the car? I came back to this video a year later, and I haven't seen any updates on it. Did you sell it again or what happened?

what movie what that white P1800 convertible in, the one in the parking complex with the miata?

Give me the parts car instead.🥸

Those are some of the coolest older cars ever made.... Please restore that thing....properly...or give it a good proper modern resto mod......and use it...

More expensive possibly but try to rust protect the entire thing if you take it apart fully, it will be worth it in the future. Modern rust protection chemicals are sooo much better than the old stuff, and you will never have to worry about it.

I went to school in Stanmore, near where Roger Moore lived, we would sometimes see him drive past the school in a white P1800 like the one used in the TV series. (1960s). Now I drive a Volvo myself, a sensible XC70.

There was a how-to book published on putting Ford 289 engines in these. I almost bought a 1970 model, in that same color as yours but in far better condition, to put an Oldsmobile 215 aluminum V8 in. Didn't happen, even though I did get the engine. Coulda been a contender!

I do really like the Volvo P1800 coupe and shooting brake station wagon l live in Australia and w very rare car here now l know why Volvo didn't maje many of them that bit l realy enjoyed never knew about the history of thrm getting back to your purchase and you own a Volvo well it is two now tge P1800E a bit rough but it starts drives and stops a win

The epitome of Volvo ownership. Congrats David.

And Merry Christmas!

28:40 I couldn’t be happier for you and your new baby, nor could I have enjoyed watching your video more. My first memory of these Volvos was on a trip from Rhode Island to Alaska in 1985. I saw a metallic blue 1800 at a used car lot in Whitehorse Yukon. I was in no position to buy it, but I certainly could make time to take it for a test drive. So on a beautiful Spring day I gave my ‘sunny’ orange VW camper a rest and spent an hour driving a car that matched a cloudless sky in May. I’ve wanted one ever since. I’m a Volvo wagon guy. I’ve owned three V70’s and thinking about getting a c30. And ya, if the right 1800 wagon comes along, Im sure i can find room for one more Volvo. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!

One of best looking cars of 60s a try 2 buy one years and years ago my neighbor' used to have one

The Swedish “Christine”

The 63 P1800s I had in the 80s was SN6030, the 30th assembled in Sweden.

Love the P1800! 😍🤩

I had a '73MGB the same color. This is way better.

Man I wish I found your content sooner. Love seeing other people with a passion for Volvo's.

Great video David. Looking forward to the end product.

Congrats on the purchase, though a shame about the spare parts. ;-)

It will be good to see how you approach this fixer upper

Mustard yellow great color!

Congrats, cheapest 1800 I've seen in Sweden was over 10k and Every panel was rusted out

wow.. this is awesome.. can't wait for more!

An excellent basis for Restomod. Just install a T5R Engine in it, of course, with all the necessary accessories, and you get a Masterpiece !

Dear David Bello. 👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! Congrats for purchasing such a wonderful/gorgeous designed iconic car. Congrats also for filming another epic masterpiece video! At last another Volvo restoration in sight! I am hardly able to wait for the first part of the restoration process. I already know that it will be as great as always on your channel. Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and especially health to all involved people. Post Scriptum: Good heavens 😱 How in the world could the son of the former owner loose all the important extra parts in this kind of way! I really hope that he reduced the price accordingly.

I am so thrilled for you! I just found a '68 (my dream car too!) and have had it now for 2 weeks. It is restored but there are still some small things to do to it. I am so looking forward to your next video on this restoration! there will be a Volvo car show this Sunday in Davis at Central Park. I will have my cream colored P1800 there and my first car show. I am told there will be a ton of other P1800s there and also a swap meet for parts and other things - all vintage volvo. You should try and make it! :)

Great storytelling David.

Congratulations, David, and good luck!

Happy for you David, good luck

I would restomod that thing.

Great catch. Congratulations

Congrats David with this beauty in the rough! Looking forward to the future coming video’s!😍

I'm excited for you on this project. And I can't wait to get our yellow 1800s together someday. Goals. Keep reaching for them.

Video Volvo approved, click.

Congratulations on your new project /car, any updates on the electric 164 TE, the rims that the P-1800E has look like the sports model rims and if they are all ok they add that certain touch.

great buy, congrats

Happy to hear you’ve managed to snag the car of your dreams, David. Looking forward to future videos sorting it all out.

About the disign of the P1800, it was originally ment to be a Aston Martin, but they did not want it, lucky for Volvo which got their best ever looking car !

that's gonna be a LOT of work to correct everything. A few parts are very hard to get. And the braking system is quite unusual on the E. You should do a valve conversion for leadless fuel.. Or you will need an additive all the time.. And no, that are not Recaro seats..

Great video with loads of excellent historical content, really well presented and edited. I think $8k would have been way too much but $5k about right, with the ......missing parts..... However dont believe the p1800 values have reached their peak.....unlike many other over priced classics.....like 911. Now the p1800 is getting the restomod treatment they will suddly be more high profile. See Cyan P1800 and the new SAINT P1800 restomod. I like the Roger Moore connection but also the front cover of MotorSport March 1966 with a photo of Ken Miles Ford GT 40 overtaking a red P1800s which finished 13th in Daytona 24hr race......mainly because all thevfaster stuff broke down or had to stop more often for fuel.....Ken Miles was first.......by miles! My p1800s currently waiting on valve spring compressor (post office not what it used to be now its privatised)....and only have 7 days to put engine back together for Leighton Buzzard (yes thats a town in UK) Cars in the Park first annual event...... Great video i will save and share the link.

I think you bought a “parts” car. About $20,000 later you might have a decent looking 1800. But congratulations on snagging this and saving it from the junk yard. I owned a ‘71 for 48 years and passed it on to my son who is in charge now.

Hello David, glad to see this 1800 landed in the right hands....i enjoyed your newest post. And now can see why you did not show up at the Davis show... perhaps you did show up... just did not see you walking around at the park in your safety vest 😂.....i sold my 1965 122 Amazon wagon over a year ago ...i named her Rory after a ex girlfriend who was actually the only person to ever drive her in the eight year's i owened my 122...but then again nobody wanted to drive her....sounded just like your 1800 mine with a cracked manifold my co workers would tease me saying they could hear me driving into work a mile away...sadly probably a true statement....i miss Rory the car and Rory the real woman with the biggest heart who sadly passed away shortly before i sold my 122😅 ....take care , Jim from Cameron Park California . 🚙 🇸🇪

Hello David, Just found your ~4 year old video of your travails with your 1985 240 IAC, sorting through the wiring to that part. Gonna take some re-views to be able to assimilate all that good info and apply it to my 1990 745T. Your explanation skills are on another level, for sure. You have an uncanny knack for logical, coherent diagnostics; myself I am trying to get away from the "loading up the parts cannon" mentality. I do tend to get easily stymied when attempting a new repair; your videos help immensely. And as I've mentioned to you quite a while back, you have an amazingly pleasing voice and tone; you would make an excellent announcer, or perhaps a voice-over artist. Smarts and a very listenable manner of speech; what a combination of gifts! Charles

That original color is called safari yellow. Check the ball joints ASAP (trust me). My father bought a twin of your car at Smythe Volvo in NJ in 1970. I bought it in 1976 and drove it for ten years, finally sold it in Dallas, TX after 6 hot summers (no a/c). A design beauty but heavy and a poor handler with stock drivetrain. Check those ball joints and that's for the memories. P

Just to let you know watching your wet face riding a bike isn't the most inspring kick-off. Still, we have and 1800 ES, so I'm watching on and we have improvement. Good luck to use all : )

Congratulations on buying my dream volvo.

just stumbled onto this, throughly enjoyed the video. im currently half way through restoring my fathers 62 p1800 he has owned since 1974. love them. best of luck with it

Very Nice patina, i hope you buff it out and do the mechanicals perfect. Greetings from Volvo land Sweden🇸🇪🇸🇪 congrats to car

Hi David. I have four wheels from an ES ( I know you have an E) if you are interested. The only numbers I can find on them are - 283513, 5 1/2 J x 15 x 32. Mechanically sound but in need of refinishing , I also have the little "hub caps" but no nuts . I don't expect to retire on the proceeds and I will sell them at a fair price. Karl Hoglund

Ah Romance!

Wonderful video! I, too, always looked down on these cars. I mean, they looked beautiful, absolutely and undoubedtly a feast for the eyes. But I always wished they were a bit sportier in terms of engine, to match the looks. However...even if they weren't exactly sporty in terms of performance, they were still pretty good. As great as a daily commuter (in terms of performance and efficiency) as any other Volvo from the period. On top of that, the reliability and robustness that Volvo was already known for just seal the deal. Congrats on the purchase and wish you good luck! Like everyone, very eager to see the final result!

Hey you passed through my city of Camarillo congrats on the 1800 looking forward to new videos on her.

That resto will be an all-parts watch for me. Had my "S" from 1982 to 1983, bought as a non-runner from a jailed customs officer, brought it back to life with the help of a wrecked 123 GT (triple roll-over, no straight panel on it - cheap "technic quarry"), swapped it for a 3.0 CSi for speed reasons - not a good deal tbh😄. Looking forward to Your approach. Thanks for sharing!

David, all volvos are made with manual transmisson, thats just the way cars were supposed to be driven : D

Exciting! Would follow the restauration. Good luck from Sweden. Mikael

I hooe the sellers appreciate the good fortune that a Volvo specialist now has stewardship of this family treasure. Thank you also for the 1800-history review.

Sweet car, shame about the fender bender. But it will make a great job to learn old skool body work. Replacing a fender will be way be hard because by the look of them they are welded to the car body.

Congratulations from Sweden, looking forward to your restoration. Keep up making your videos!

Must be Ivy's new friend Goldy... Great save... Stay safe, Tim

Had tons of fun with my '68 for a few years then sold it for double my purchase price 👍

I would do it in silver…then again, not original and would not match paint code on data plate😎

Congratulations! Looking forward to many build update videos!

Nice one again David, thank you for entertaining us about Volvos

I can’t stop looking at this pie

This was quite enjoyable to watch. Thanks for sharing!

Best of luck, David. It's my dream car, too.

Nice buy David, Im going to enjoy this restauration!

Really beautiful presentation of the cars history!

One of the most gorgeous cars ever built, period! Congrats.

Can’t think of a more deserving young owner!

Great car story! Looking forward to the restoration series!

Are you going to keep original colour?

Finally! Congrats David!

She'll be a beauty once again.

Hope we get an update soon

Great history lesson.

It's a good feeling to finally get what you've been searching for/wanting for a long time!! Good for you, man!!

What happened to the Volvo P1800?

Yes Sir!

Wonderful. Nice Christmas gift in April for you. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this one.

Looking forward to this project David 👌💯🔥

Excited to see how this progresses! The more I find out about the 1800 the more I feel like I lucked into mine. Bought my ES from my old schools auto body program. It’d been abandoned in their back lot.

These b20 engines can be turbocharged or supercharged. You should put 17" wheels on to fill out the arches.