stupid questions. probably
 

have recently discovered the beauty that is the volvo p1800 and want one, but i would want to use it as a pretty much everyday car as i haven't got room for three cars on the drive so the question is are the p1800's practical for everyday use? or are they pretty much just to get out when the sun is shining.

Isn't it a P1800 that's done 3 million miles or whatever?

They may do 3 million miles but thay can rust badly. They can be complicated to restore let alone expensive. The front end is prone to rusting and because the panels ie wings and front end are not bolt on they can get seriously bodged. Buy the best you can and if you do not have the experience to tell wheather it's filler or steel, hope for the best.

In my opinion they are deffinately not for everyday use, especially during the winter. Even if it's coverd over it will still rust internaly due to the constant moisture in the air which makes all panels inside and out wet through.

I have owned classic cars for the past 19 years without interuption, and for the past four years we havn't owned a modern car. There is only one classic that truly ticks ALL the boxes for a classic to be used as a daily driver, even more so than most modern cars and that is the Volvo Amazon. Again buy the best you can find, have it waxoiled inside and out and it should last you a lifetime for little money.

Dean


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a64...vo1800s002.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a64...vo1800s003.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a64...20white/12.jpg

Don't they have those timing gears which self destruct?

BTW I have to say your P1800 looks quite stunning - takes me back to my 'yoof' when 'The Saint' was on TV.

Yes the fibre gears do break up, but there's usually plenty of audible warning given. Also, the fibre gears are easily replaced by steel ones (iirc, as used on marine spec B18s / B20s / B30s).

These engines are incredibly tough - the current Guinness Book of Records highest mileage car is a B18 P1800S with 2 million miles on the clock, and just one engine rebuild at 800,000 miles.