Thursday, July 31, 2014

5k: Arctic Snowcat: 1966 Volvo 1800S

Welcome to another Thorsday feature from the Daily Turismo, where you can pick up a nice classic without making your check writing fingers sore.  Imagine for a minute that you could turn back time and score an early Porsche 911 when they were trading in the teens, or an Alfa GTV, BMW E30 M3 -- the list of dramatically overinflated appreciated cars just goes on.  Time travel might not be possible, but if you play your cards right you might be able to find a ticking time bomb of undervalued steel, drive it for a few years and ditch it when Daily Turismo goes all facebook and starts acquiring hybrid instant-messaging/Star Trek transporter services (SnapFat 2022: Beam your fat to your friends...not all services available in all areas...potential combustion events can occur if you fail to follow the directions).  Here is a great example -- find this 1966 Volvo 1800S currently bidding on ebay for $6,500 in Houston, TX with 4 days to go.


The Volvo 1800S is one of our favorite classic coupes to feature on the pages of DT (along with the other 1800 variations), especially when we find one that is clean, cheap and classy.  The original P1800's sheet metal was designed by Pelle Petterson while he worked at the Italian Carrozzeria Pietro Frua and (Jensen built cars notwithstanding) its mechanical parts were hewn of sturdy Scandinavian stuff.


This Volvo's B18 4-cylinder 1.8 liter engine is good for 115 horsepower and is mated to the stock 4 speed (with electric overdrive) transmission.  The mechanical condition of this engine is a big unknown, but these are very durable pieces of cast iron that only need routine maintenance for years of service.


The interior of this 1800 will need some attention, but parts are available from various classic Volvo specialty shops or used in various condition. While the 1800S looks sporty it is more of a gentleman's GT than a true sports car - in a dynamic sense anyways. But you will get tons of attention wherever you drive this thing; in the context of 2014 traffic it looks like a Martian flying saucer.


See a cooler minty white classic?  tips@dailyturismo.com
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1 comment:

  1. sean scottJuly 31, 2014 at 5:53 PM

    If you can just look at some of these cars like the 1800S, Karmann Ghias, Sunbeam Alpines ect. and just forget what you know about them. Don't think of the values, brand names, how many were made, just look at the designs. They are wonderful designs. If the Ghia was rare and had a P badge on it it would be unbelievably desirable. The 1800 has lines that don't come on $5,000 cars. I have to agree that there are still some great affordable cars out there if you don't go with the obvious.

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