10k: Miata Powered: 1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod
The Volvo P1800/1800S/1800E is a cool looking sports coupe built for worldwide consumption in decent numbers (39k from 1963 to 1972.) The decent numbers part is important, because as a classic it lives in a land between massively overproduced cars you’ll see everyday (Mustang or Beetle for instance) and massively under produced cars that demand a premium (Shelby Mustang). Today’s example started life as a bullhorn equipped P1800, but is now a bit of a hot rod. Find this 1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod here on eBay
currently bidding for $6,500 reserve-not-met with a few days to go, located in Hillsboro, OR.
It is interesting to note that the 1800 was built in similar numbers to the Karmann Ghia Type 34, but the combination of never being available in the US when new and staggeringly low survival estimates means the Type 34 costs a pretty penny. The 1800 on the other hand, offers a combination of exclusivity, price, and availability that is hard to beat. Swap in a fuel injected and reliable engine, plus a 5-speed gearbox and things look even better.
Gone is the Scandinavian built B18 inline-4 and instead this thing is powered by a 1.8 liter inline-4 from an NA-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Mazda BP dual overhead cam inline-4 pushes out 131 horsepower, but is easily tunable (turbo-able?) for more juice if you are into that kind of thing.
The interior has been given a decent makeover with new carpet and “racing” seats. The seller includes a link to his flickr account, which includes a bunch of before/after build pictures. It could use a new coat of paint, but otherwise looks ready to roll.
See another restorodded classic for cheap? tips@dailyturismo.com
Oh, gentlemen…what have you done? After the kids are dropped at camp in a few minutes I will dive deeply into that Flickr link…. I am especially curious to see what the builder did with the front end.
K2 I see what you did there lol. (I had to look up the Ford GAA)
K2 I see what you did there lol. (I had to look up the Ford GAA)
Thanks, Paul! Glad you got my little joke.
I love the looks of these, especially the ones which have not succomed to the tin worm.
I thought the NA's were 1.6…?
Mine is a 12 ounce.
[img] i.imgur.com/ZWXoHRm.png?1[/img]
That's my smart @ss response. The real answer is they were offered in the US with 1.6, 1.8 and a 2.0. The car, not the malt liquor.
Oops, you said NA. Then scratch the 2.0. My '96 is a 1.8.
Love it. The watermark makes me nervous, though it appears to just be his username and that he's a photographer (a good one, it appears). Miata engines are cr@p and they can't be tuned at all. There are no turbos or shupshuperchargers available for them and there's no online support community. What a waste. They should have put a Ford GAA in it instead. Now that would have been a better match.
Not true at all you can do a lot with the humble little Miata Motor there are a number of turbo and supercharger options out there and it is possible to get well over 200 hp out of one quite reliably… I know I have built a number of them for customers…
lol @ OP. You almost had me there
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Won the auction! Thanks DT for posting this great find.
Rod — congrats! I want a ride! -Vince