My '67 Volvo P1800 was delivered today from California :thumbsup:

now I'm having some varied thoughts as to the direction I once had planned.

The original thought was LS2 and make a nice little blaster out of it, but now........ well, the thing is so darn nice and solid :yes: (i think I hate you southwest guys and the solid cars you get to work with) that I'm thinking .............

A) total restoration. Not a "100 point" car but a really, really nice driver that is different

B) "Gas price friendly" - Replace the outdated engine / trans with a newer 4 cylinder (maybe even a supercharged ecotec from a cobalt) since the price of gas is expected to rise to stratospheric levels
no "major" mods done to the car, just something to zip around town or be reliable enough for trips

but man, that LS2 would be stinkin' fast :D

whats your opinion?

Go with the Ls2, tons of power and 20+ mpg. How offen are you really going to drive it? verses money saved on MPG? If it was a daily driver then it may be a little different. just my 2 cents

Bill

I would suggest to you what I am in fact doing with mine, and that is to focus on other things..for now at least.

I purchased my MGB with the intention of doing a 60 degree fuel injected V6 conversion backed by a toyota supra 5 speed.

The so-called "problem" is, the car is in incredible condition mechanically. The engine and trans has 17,000 miles on them, new English springs and armstrong mechanical lever shocks at all four corners ($$$), and very well maintained.
It just needed alot of adjustments, heads retorqued, carbs synchronized, etc.


So I am now focusing on other things. The engine alone will most likely outlast my anxious desire to do the conversion.
In the mean time I will suffer with 30 mpg and dependability that surpasses quite alot of cars today.
I'm looking forward to my long scenic treks to the grand canyon, Yosemite, Barrett Jackson, and etc.

This
http://www.schuenemanns.de/Fotos/volvo_amazon_1967.jpg

Or this?
http://www.kaminskimik.com/user/binary/std_1966_volvo_p_1800_s-1.jpg


I say keep it slow and cruise it in style, not in a hurry.

Personally, I like this model:

Kev, the 4 banger with a big hair dryer would make jobs of power and still be driveable with good mileage and can you imagine the looks on peoples faces when she spools up and goes. I guess it depends on finances and what is easiest to do. Ralph

Kevin, Mallet sells a supercharger kit for the 2.4 Ecotec found in the base Solstice, will bump it up to 300hp no problem. :yes: Have fun with it. Cool car, for a Volvo. Must've been built in their more sensible days. ;)

My old man loves old Volvo's, in fact that's his main love for old cars. He just got done with a '68 122S. If you ever need anything obscure, let me know, I can get you in touch with him and he might be able to point you in the right direction.

Or this?
http://www.kaminskimik.com/user/binary/std_1966_volvo_p_1800_s-1.jpg


I say keep it slow and cruise it in style, not in a hurry.




P1800, the 1st pic was a 122 and the one you like (me too :thumbsup: ) is the PV544



My old man loves old Volvo's, in fact that's his main love for old cars. He just got done with a '68 122S. If you ever need anything obscure, let me know, I can get you in touch with him and he might be able to point you in the right direction.


Oh, I'll need some parts :yes:

I won't be starting on this for one or two years, I just happened to get a "deal" and couldn't pass on it..... the car is solid and straight :hurray: ..... almost too nice to cut up you know..... so, I'll wait and see

Ralph, I was just over there but didn't want to bother you on a holiday..... I think this would go alot faster if I could get my employer to donate some parts or sponsor the project :yes: ...... but I don't see that happening :D :noway:

Man we had a house full, 20 for dinner and i do it the old Ital. way! BBQ in the garage seein as it was zero outside, cooked 1/2 a lamb, three other meats, 3 salads, 2 potatoes, and lots of booze!!! Glad everyones gone (just left) had enough for today. Would be kewl if the employer helped but your probably right. Had my bullet out the other day she's finally pretty much done!! Nothing like 625 hp/tq to put a smile on your face! Ralph

I vote LS -2. The cars look fast. No reason you cant still cruise it, but it will be alot more fun with some good ol' power. Its too depressing if you rebuild a car, and then put your foot in it and there is nothing there. All cars should have lots of power, especially classics, its just more fun that way.

Please no not a 4 cylinder. Go maybe with a small block V-8 and a 4 speed. But no 4 or 6 cylinders. :sad:

I say A Buick V6 turbo!

I say, put the snorts under the hood. Way cooler IMHO :D

-Garry

I say find a wrecked 97-98 volvo S85 Turbo 5cyl and slap it in there.... Should be affordable, and would be kinda cool to see a modern fairly quick volvo plant in there...

Of course i have no idea how hard that swap would be... but that the beauty of giving advice! :-)

I have personal knowledge of what your new project car looks like. Considering the fabrication you would have to do to harness the power of an LS engine my thought from the time I saw the car was to return it to stock. I would even use the same engine with a rebuild since all the parts were included. Save the LS engine for a Chevelle or Camaro. Just my opinion!!

Mark

P.S The inspector almost bought the car himself but he figured that would be a dirty trick. He did notice however since Team Chevelle was responsible for the free inspection you ought to pony up the $19.95 to join!

They are kinda fun cars. My Wife had one about 10 years ago. It was a bit slow with the 4 cyl and the electronic overdrive was unusual. If I remember right it had something like 4:56 gears in it. The original motor in it was junk (real low oil pressure), so I dropped a later model (69?) 4 cyl in it that was slightly bigger. Still slow. They definitely attract attention!. My wife got tired of the manual steering and sold it to buy another 1st gen Monte.

FYI, there is a place on Cape Cod that has a bunch of these cars for parts. I sold all the extra parts we got with her car to him after she sold her car.

I say A Buick V6 turbo!

was thinking that too :yes:

I have personal knowledge of what your new project car looks like. Considering the fabrication you would have to do to harness the power of an LS engine my thought from the time I saw the car was to return it to stock. I would even use the same engine with a rebuild since all the parts were included. Save the LS engine for a Chevelle or Camaro. Just my opinion!!

Mark

P.S The inspector almost bought the car himself but he figured that would be a dirty trick. He did notice however since Team Chevelle was responsible for the free inspection you ought to pony up the $19.95 to join!

Thanks for setting me up with that inspector..... and I'm kinda sorry he didn't buy it out from under me, it would have saved me alot of time, money and effort :D :yes: ..... BTW, does he remember the grill surround being there? its not anywhere & I thought it was supposed to have it included :confused:

man, you know how solid this car is (especially for someone who has always been stuck with salt infested Michigan cars :( ) so you now know my dilemma..... I'm not one of those guys that can just cut into old, solid sheetmetal & modify :sad:

I was all about that LS2 or the LS364/440 with the Hot Cam until I saw the car in person and then the doubt of cutting it beyond original kicked in....., but I just can't get over that "22 lbs per HP" (118 hp stock) thing and 19 second quarter mile times. If I went with the turbo'ed GXP motor, i'm at 8 lbs per HP (and probably 14's) and the LS 364/440 combo would put me at a conservative 5 lbs per HP (or less) and either into the 12's or the weeds ...... the 67 Shelby 427 s/c was 5.8 lbs per HP so you know I'd have a screamer on my hands :yes:

OK, give me a coupla days and you'll see the membership ;)


FYI, there is a place on Cape Cod that has a bunch of these cars for parts.

got any contact info / name?

I think you should post some pictures :p

soon, when I get some time..... it may take awhile since I'm still trying to get the visual of you in your leather pants out of my mind :eek:

OFBG, I'll see if I can find his contact info. He may have advertised in Hemmings.

OFBG,
Here you go, his name is Don Thibault he is in Sandwich, MA. his web site is www.p1800.com, contact info is:

Don Thibault
372 Rt. 6A
Sandwich, MA 02537
tel (508)888-9715
fax (508)833-9026

Good Luck!

Tom

Congrats Kev! :)

Oh...LS2 LS2 LS2 :D

OFBG,
Here you go, his name is Don Thibault he is in Sandwich, MA. his web site is www.p1800.com (http://www.p1800.com), contact info is:

Don Thibault
372 Rt. 6A
Sandwich, MA 02537
tel (508)888-9715
fax (508)833-9026

Good Luck!

Tom

LOL..... Thanks Tom :thumbsup:

I found his site a few days before I won the bid :hurray: looks like alot of good stuff :yes:

Micheal Moore drove one of those early P1800s in 'The Saint', a T.V. show back in the sixties. I believe that Jensen originally built those cars for Volvo initially, then Volvo took over production. The coupes were made into 1971, and then were replaced by a 2-door wagon version with an all-glass tailgate, the 1800ES. They were produced through 1973.