Volvo 1800 E One Family Ownership

1971 Volvo 1800 E Description

ONE FAMILY OWNERSHIP!! My father purchased this car brand new in 1971 in Passaic New Jersey. He drove it regularly until about 1980 where it began to be used less because he started driving a company car. It sat in our garage until 1992 where after a tune up became my first car. I drove it throughout the rest of high school and then the car sat again in the same garage. In about 2002, my dad wanted his garage back so I flew back to Virginia, gave the car a tune up (battery, air, fluid change, etc), and drove it to Colorado where it has largely sat. In about 2010, I detected a serious problem with the car and decided to pull the engine. It turns out, the head was warped and coolant was pumping into one of the cylinders. I had the head machined, sourced a new push rod (the new ones being made were too long), and fully rebuilt the engine. She started up and drove. I replaced the brake calipers with new ones and installed new tires. However, relatively soon, the car wouldn't start. I will discuss in the "issues" area. I have left the VIN blank because I was not near the vehicle when posting this.

This vehicle is an excellent candidate for a very mild restoration to make it a daily driver or a full restoration to honor the one family owner status. Though not desirable to me, if someone wanted to, they could part it out to sell the very original parts.

Long story short, this car is very original and owned by one family and I can give very complete history of the car. I have a strong emotional attachment to it but it really is time to move on.

Very original. Seats and headliner were replaced in the early 90's. Most of the badging is gone and the chrome pinstripe down the sides is gone. All chrome is original. Engine was rebuilt.

Engine: after the rebuild, the engine ran fine. Then it didn't. Extensive diagnosis by a mechanic revealed the fuel pump would prime and the car would start, however, the car wouldn't continue to pump fuel. It was thought that the primitive computer was shot. I sourced a used model and it was hooked up only to not solve the problem. The throttle positioning season should probably be replaced. So many items have been adjusted (throttle positioning sensor, distributor, etc) that starting from a zero point is advised.

Transmission: Double clutching from fourth to third is necessary. In 1994, I was rear ended at a stoplight. Body damage was repaired, however, it was discovered that there was transmission damage too late after the fact to have insurance cover it. I hadn't yet shifted out of third and when I was hit, my foot came off the clutch and the car was pushed forward in third gear.

Body: Lots of surface rust but not many places are rusted through. It does go through on some of the wheel wells. Some bubbling here and there. Missing badging as well as the chrome pin striping. The hood...when the engine started after the rebuild, I was so excited I went to pick up my wife at her school to take her on a test drive. However, I forgot to attach the hood. When I hit third gear, the hood flew off like a toupee in a wind storm. Right over the roof of the car. It made somewhere between two and three rotations before landing. As a result, the hood is bent, but not creased. I am stupid.

Other: The A/C pump was removed years ago, however, I still have it. The odometer stopped working in about 1994, which the Smith brands were known to do. I would estimate the vehicle has about 150k miles on it. Has new brake calipers and tires.

No service records. Primarily basic maintenance over the last many years done by myself.

Buyer responsible for pickup. No warranty.