5k: Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow: 1972 Volvo 1800 ES
The Volvo 1800ES is a regular on this website, probably because it combines a front end that resembles Sid the ground sloth from Ice Age with a back that looks like Snow White’s coffin. Clearly I’ve been spending too much time watching animated children’s movies…but that doesn’t stop me from know a good deal when I see one. Find this 1972 Volvo 1800 ES offered for $3,239 or best offer in Denver, CO via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck
The 1800ES was known internally at Volvo as the “Beach Car,” and is a fairly rare
model, only sold in 1972 & ’73 model years as a way to extend the
life of the long-in-the-tooth 1800 coupe (originally known as the P1800,
released in 1962). This one has an engine that starts but doesn’t stay on, probably something wrong with the Bosch D-Jet
electronic fuel injection system which was used on the ES instead of the twin-SU-carbs from the earlier cars. When running properly the 112 hp / 115 lb-ft B20 pushrod 4-cylinder is quite a
little tractor, providing much more entertainment value than one would
expect given the specs. Even with the rocker panel rust showing in the photos, this one would probably be worth twice the current asking price if it runs.
See a cheaper shooting brake classic? tips@dailyturismo.com
Can the DT Gurus tell us whether these become terminal from rust, or are there typical repairs (obviously rockers on this one)?
I've seen this on Denver CL for at least a couple of months, makes me think there's some deeper problem than is revealed in the ad.
Typical areas are rockers, jack points (and the adjacent section of frame rails), battery box, rear hatch surround, floor pans… The thing with the 1800 is that so many of them have had rust repairs in the unibody using bondo that you have to be wary of pretty much any example you come across until you verify its soundness yourself. Mechanically, about as simple as an oxcart and relatively easy to find parts for.