1963 1800S in Victoria, BC

Last Updated: 8/9/2023
Ad Source: Direct
Car Location: Victoria, British Columbia

Asking Price: $62,700 $51,300

 

More Details & Pictures

This classic Volvo 1800 is one of the finest available on the open market.

The previous (and only other) owner of the car purchased it new in Montreal in 1963 and brought it to the west coast. I found the car parked in a residential driveway in Victoria in 2015 where it had been sitting for many years. After my purchase a complete 2 year restoration began. No expense was spared during this process and my intent to keep the car as original as possible.   The odometer is showing just over 72,000 miles. It runs beautifully, is a pleasure to drive and the car is a regular at local car shows and charity events. Volvo archives in Gothenburg has verified matching engine, gearbox, body numbers.

Exhaustive records and photographs confirm all the work that was done. Copies of invoices for all purchases of replacement parts will be made available to any serious purchaser. Much of the car received new parts and equipment – 165 X 15” tires, windscreen, carpet and insulation, leather seat covers and headliner are just some of the more obvious changes. The car has a new fuel tank and fuel sending unit, re-chromed front and rear bumpers, rubber seals and grommets. New brake and clutch masters, new brake and fuel lines with fittings, rebuilt front callipers and new rear shoes. Brake servo was rebuilt and the vacuum tank (so often ignored) from inside the LH fender was removed, cleaned and painted. All rubber seals from the door openings, engine bay and trunk were replaced. A new hood (bonnet) insulation kit, rebuilt heater box with new core, new upper and lower dash pads.

The SU carburetors were rebuild by Rhys Kent of Victoria. The rev-counter (tach), coolant/oil temp, speedo, oil pressure and fuel gauges cleaned and serviced. New bushings for sway bar, front suspension and new rear suspension limiting straps. OEM generator re-built by Brian Roberts Auto Electric.

Anyone buying this Volvo classic will know its design history and pedigree. The Italian inspiration that went into its design is evident at first glance. Some experts have written that the tail fins are beautiful … the finest ever designed. The original marketing campaign was unique, calling it a “poor man’s Ferrari!”

If you ever had questions about durability, the late Irv Gordon’s Volvo 1800S holds the Guinness world record for highest mileage for a privately owned automobile at over 3 million.
Over the years the 1800 has been seen on TV and in the movies. The P1800 received a huge boost in the early 60’s when a white Volvo P1800 was driven in the BBC TV series The Saint (1962-69), making Roger Moore an international star. More recently, the car was highlighted with Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” with Tina Fey being driven in Los Angeles and Tom Hanks was in a beautiful white model in the movie “Bridge of Spies.” A keen eye will spot a ’66 1800S parked in the shadows on the side of the road toward the end of Tarantino’s classic “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

Certain sales are placing P1800 Volvos in the $70,000+ (USD) range and European buyers seem to be dominating the market recently. Many car writers are featuring them and saying that they won’t be ‘affordable’ for too much longer. TV’s (Chasing Classic Cars) Wayne Carini even predicted prices of $100K so “if you want a good one, you better get one while you still can.”  The interiors of these cars are ‘art deco’ like, and the chrome bezels around the gauges, teal green background on the instruments are unique. A 1964 1800S has been featured in “Hagerty Classic Cars – Weekly News.” Their video ride-along feature by Managing Director of Hagerty International, Angus Forsyth is worth watching for any aficionado.

The car is being offered for $58,700.00  $51,300 USD ($77,600.00 $68,600 CDN, 53,820 euros). I will assist with shipping at no cost to the buyer