Introducing the 1967 Volvo 1800S
Ah, the 1967 Volvo 1800S – a classic that’s got some serious pedigree. This beauty stayed with its previous owner for nearly five decades before finding itself under new stewardship in Washington. Yes, you heard that right; this car was scooped up on BaT back in August 2020. Under the hood, it sports a replacement 2.0-liter B20 inline-four engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission, complete with an overdrive feature. And let’s not forget the eye-catching red finish over black leather upholstery – a combination that speaks volumes about its vintage charisma.
Features and Upgrades
- Replacement 2.0-liter B20 inline-four engine
- Four-speed manual transmission with overdrive
- Stunning red exterior paint
- Black leather interior
- H&R springs and Bilstein shocks at the back
- 15″ Panasport-style wheels
- Toyota front bucket seats
- Push-button ignition switch
- Classic Clarion cassette stereo
Now, here’s the kicker: this 1800S is being offered at no reserve and comes with a clean Texas title. It’s time for a new adventure.
Body and Paint Condition
Originally dressed in Cherry Red, the car received a fresh coat of paint in the ’90s. However, like a fine wine, it’s developed a few character lines over the years. The bumpers, grille surround, and headlight surrounds were re-chromed along with the paint job, but there are some blemishes worth noting. You’ll find rust on the front-left fender, a slight dent in the rear bumper, and let’s not even start on the trunk and door seals – they leak. A gallery of photos reveals cracked and chipped paint on various body panels, so don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Wheels and Suspension
Those silver-finished, 15″ Panasport-style wheels you’re looking at are shod with 195/60 Zexius Xi tires in the front and 205/60 Dunlop D60 tires at the rear. As for the ride quality, it’s boosted by an independent suspension up front, while Bilstein shocks and H&R springs take care of things in the back. When it comes to stopping power, you’ll find front disc brakes complemented by rear drums.
Interior Features
Step inside, and you’re greeted by front bucket seats sourced from a Toyota, all wrapped in black leather that stretches back to the rear bench. The floors are decked out in vibrant red carpets, and the cabin has all the classic touches you’d expect: a Clarion AM/FM/cassette stereo, a passenger grab handle, rear leather luggage straps, and a heater to keep things cozy. There’s even a nifty push-button ignition switch snugly tucked beneath the dashboard. But fair warning: the upholstery on the driver’s door is seeing better days, and the door itself doesn’t quite know how to hold open.
Dashboard and Instrumentation
The two-spoke steering wheel embraces an array of Smiths instrumentation, featuring a 120-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and vertical gauges for coolant and oil temperatures. Auxiliary readouts for fuel level and oil pressure sit centrally on the dashboard, flanked by an analog clock. As for the odometer, it has officially stopped working, showing 98k miles. Roughly 3,500 miles have been racked up under the current ownership, but the true mileage? Anyone’s guess. The speedometer lens is cracked, and the clock backlighting has taken a permanent vacation. There’s also a little shifter shake at around 2,000 rpm.
Engine and Transmission
Let’s pop the hood and talk power. Under there lies a 2.0-liter B20 inline-four engine, sourced from a later-model 1800S. Fitted with twin SU carburetors and a new exhaust that made its debut in 2014, this engine has seen its fair share of love. In 2021, the fuel pump and a bunch of fuel lines were replaced – always nice to know something’s been cared for.
Transmission and Axle
All that power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission, complete with an overdrive mechanism for those moments when you want to stretch its legs. And just a heads-up, the rear axle enjoyed a refurb back in 2016, but don’t go feeling too smug; there’s rust in the trunk area near the fuel filler tube that might require a little TLC.
Chassis and VIN Details
The chassis number, if you’re keeping score, is 183451022546. Just a little quirk here: the VIN listed on the Texas title omits the leading zero. Just a detail, but one worth knowing when you decide to make this classic yours.