1963 P1800 Jensen in San Jose, CA

Last Updated: 11/29/2022
Ad Source: Craigslist
Car Location: San Jose, California

Asking Price: $30,000

 

More Details & Pictures

VIN: V634354

*UPDATE* Registration is current, the clutch has been properly bled, and the car has been brought back to drivable condition! Though it is recommended that the car be trailered and the transmission fully serviced.

If you are unfamiliar with the differences between English built Jensen and Swedish P1800’s, please research Jensen values especially with respect to the condition of this car. This is NOT a later Swedish P1800S, P1800E, or a P1800ES.

Only the first 6,000 Volvo P1800 chassis were built in England by Jensen. Volvo initially did not have the production space. In mid 1963 production was transfered to Sweden and an “S” was added to the P1800 model name. Materials and manufacturing were cost optimized leaving the hand-built Jensen as a very low production number and with unique and higher quality details throughout. The value of Jensen models reflects accordingly as can be seen on Hagerty and Hemmings valuations.

This Jensen P1800 up for sale, though registered as a 1963 model, was built around late 1961 to April 1962. Its build date and options are confirmed by its build code “P18395 VA”, the chassis number “4354”, or where it can be clearly read “Assembled In England” on the chassis plate (see pic). Some links are also provided at the bottom of this ad for reference.

This example is a virtually rust free 1963 Jensen P1800 prime for restoration! This is a true barn find with pics of the barn visible in the background! It is understood that this P1800 was likely a central valley California car its whole life and was stored around 2012 with the engine occasionally started. The transmission is an M41 with selectable overdrive, 4.56 Spicer live axle. Mileage is believed to be original due to the overall amazing condition of the car.

All original and in extremely clean condition with no visible rust anywhere on the entire car except a quarter size bubble on the passenger fender. As can be seen in the photos, this car is very straight with most all original parts and trim pieces present. The original color was white (code 69) with grey interior (code 301). It was indicated that this car received a full repaint in a single stage red at some time during the 1980’s or 90’s.

Some of the unique pieces to early Jensens can be seen in the 5500 rpm redline tachometer, single bolt front shock retaining plates, styled cowl intake unique to Jensens, rear seats & deck, and the Jensen valve cover with center breather amongst other pieces. Brakes are the early Girling single circuit.

The engine was swapped at some point during the previous owner’s tenure and is currently a B20 with unknown cams, aftermarket Lynx intake manifold, 4-2-1 header, and period-correct Weber 45 DCOE 13 carburetor. Also of note, as is typical of the early Jensens with Lucas regulators, the battery had been over-charged at some point and leaked causing some damage to the battery tray area. The previous owner upgraded to a Bosch regulator.

The following items have been refreshed to bring the P1800 up to driving condition:

• All brake lines replaced front and rear
• Front calipers fully rebuilt with new pistons, seals, and boots
• Brake system flushed and bled
• Fresh oil (Rotella T4 high zinc) and filter change
• Weber DCOE fully disassembled, cleaned, rebuilt and re-jetted
• New shocks front and rear
• New rear axle straps
• Transmission drained and filled with proper 30W non-synthetic oil
• New clutch master and slave cylinders and new clutch flex line
• Clutch lines fully flushed and bled
• Spicer 4.56 rear axle drained and filled
• New pinion seal
• New upper and lower radiator hoses (included but not installed)
• New speedo cable seal
• Fuel tank drained and system flushed with new fuel and fuel stabilizer
• New fuel pump, fuel lines, and priming bulb

The engine fires up immediately and runs excellent with or without choke though still somewhat rich at idle. The numbers on the block point to a 1973 B20 sourced from a 144/145.

While the car is in drivable condition, it is recommended that it be trailered and the transmission leaks serviced. Reverse is currently difficult to engage. The car was acquired on original US Magnum 500 wheels. The original Volvo wheels and hubcaps are included in the sale.

You cannot find a better example of an original unrestored Jensen P1800 to begin with. This is truly a rare opportunity to own and restore an unmolested and arrow straight piece of Volvo Jensen P1800 history.

Asking $30k . Text or email your phone number and preferred method of contact (text, phone, email). Reasonable offers welcome. Serious buyers only.

No help needed from third parties. If the ad is up, the car is still for sale. Thank you for reading. I have too many restoration projects to devote tome to this one. I look forward to meeting the new owner who will bring this one full circle back to its original glory!

https://volvo1800pictures.com/type_codes.php

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