In The Family Since ’69: 1966 Volvo 1800S
The Volvo 1800 was a 2+2, front-engine, rear-drive touring car built in Europe during 1961-73. While most of the cars sold were coupes, a “shooting-brake” version was offered during its final model year. The mechanical components of the automobile were derived from Volvo’s Amazon/122 series of cars. The 1800s became popular during the 1960s as Roger Moore drove one in his television spy series, The Saint. This 1966 1800S has less than 60,000 miles and has been owned by the same family for 53 years. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the car is offered as a restoration candidate here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,500. Our thanks to Peter Lamberty for this tip.
First badged as the P1800, several variants were produced over the car’s 13 -year run. The Volvo became known as the 1800S in 1963 (with the “S” standing for “Sweden” in English). The 1,778-cc inline-4 engine produced 115 hp by the time the 1966 models came around. These cars were known for their longevity and a 1800S was certified in 1998 was the highest mileage private vehicle (at the time) driven by the original owner having exceeded 3.25 million miles. We’re not told a lot about the seller’s car, but it does not appear to be a protected family heirloom. Instead, it looks to have been sitting outdoors for years and Mother Nature has been busy with the body and paint. Unfortunately, only two photos are provided. What are your thoughts regarding a restoration?
Comments
It’s gonna be owned by the same family for the next 53 years.
Based on it’s surroundings, the Ohio location and the car itself there isn’t an indication of a lot of TLC going on here. Bet you could start a rust farm with what’s under that car.
I can never understand these sellers touting “long term ownership” and asking a laughable price, when they clearly didn’t take care of the car to begin with. This is nothing but a $500 parts car, IMO.
Beautiful car, but to me, “long term ownership”, used in a positive sense, is when the car was wiped clean after every use, kept in a conditioned space and treated better than the mother in-law.
With all of the green moss or whatever that is it looks fresh out of the woods where it’s been sitting for the last 50 yrs. Another case of watching to many car auctions on TV. At best a parts car.
Asking $5500.00 and just two pictures?? How long did it sit in their backyard??Ran when parked??? Why do people do this to cars??
They mistakenly think a car will be worth a fortune sooner or later, regardless of the condition.
Well I see a couple good tail lights and a trunk badge…and is that a rust hole in the top side of that back bumper?
Based on those two pictures I think that poor old thing is returning to the ground
If Roger Moore were with us, he’d say the owner was no Saint.
Wonderful road tourers — Notorious for RUST — pretty far from simple restoration !! way overpriced too!!
Car looks as depressing as the house. Serious reality check needed all around.
I would give him maybe $999.99 if he could deliver it to me in one piece.
These were great cars for two people who liked to drive. Great looking, at least in my opinion, both body styles, for the time they handled well, and, with proper maintenance, went forever. You can find a much better one than this.
“These cars were known for their longevity and a 1800S was certified in 1998 was the highest mileage private vehicle (at the time) driven by the original owner having exceeded 3.25 million miles.”
I have seen and sat in this car. At the time, Volvo paid the owner to drive around and stop at dealerships to show off the car. It has had a couple of engine rebuilds and a transmission and rear differential rebuild also. About 4 clutches and many sets of tires.
These cars have their own personality ans are comfortable touring cars.
Only 60k miles per the add and they parked it? What does that say about the dependability of Volvo that year ?
I would be afraid to take this on mostly because of it’s obscurity I think parts cost would be high.
Run!! You may need a tetanus shot just looking at it. Beautiful cars, but this one is too far gone, IMHO.
On a positive note—- the front bumper looks nice.
Unfortunately this is WHAT IS LEFT of a Simon Templar Volvo. My guess is that anyone who buys it, when trying to load it on to a flatbed, will see it crumble to pieces in a cloud of brown dust. Time and time again we keep seeing cars that were recklessly abandoned, by people who didn’t even care enough to wrap a couple of tarps over them, and who now expect to be given thousands of dollars for their wrecks. May it RIP.
S in English? What do think it is in Swedish? Oh yeah. S
I’ve seen a whole lot worse with folks falling all over themselves to bid and get i t. ie: this is, IMHO, restorable to a driveable degree without being terribly expensive. The ask is 4 grand too high though.
i just saw one of these sitting in a driveway here last week. red, and whole it seemed.
the guy had a VW bus sitting there forever and then it disappeared, now this and another car i didn’t identify popped up in his driveway