OWNER’S NOTES ON VOLVO 1800S #15947

(supplemented by verbal discussion and pictures by Mike Dudek, Sep 25, 2009)

 It was manufactured in 1965 but registered as a 1966 due to the time of entry to the U.S. Color # 79-1 (California white), interior # 308-266 (black leather/vinyl, red carpet). VIN 18345VE15947

This car was meticulously restored by a young man while he was going through college in Tacoma Washington. We bought it from him in 1988. We have intended to maintain it as a stock vehicle as nearly as possible except for a few functional items for safety or handling. Mileage since restoration is about 50k.

The car has been shown in Volvo meets on the West Coast a number of times. The first time was in 1989 where the car won first place in class against several other exceptionally nice coupes. It continued to make such wins and then won first place in master class coupes in pre-injection group. 

The car has been well maintained and garaged throughout its life since restoration. Oil and filter changes have been performed every 3000 miles or every year when not driven 3000 within the year. All other maintenance has been performed to factory recommendations or better. Many of the receipts and records are included.

There has been no rust detectable. The car was stripped to bare metal and given a first class paint job in about 1991. This was done in the original color, California white. Some of the chrome was renewed on bumpers as needed. They are still in very good shaped. The car is kept garaged, under custom fitted cover.

Interior seats are in good condition with sheepskin covers for the front and custom made travel cover for the rear seat to protect from sun damage. All gauges, switches and lights work except (clock and radio).

Engine and transmission (4 speed + overdrive) work well. Brakes work well and were last serviced about 5 years ago. The forward muffler and the clutch master and slave cylinders were newly replaced (July 2009).

The tires are factory spec. Pirelli Cinturato P3, 165-15, approx 10 years old. Spare tire (with cover) jack and original tool kit located in the trunk. Custom car cover is included.

There have been several improvements from the original factory car and a few issues:

It has IPD anti-sway bars, front and rear. The front shocks are Bilstein. The rear shocks were the same but developed leaks and were replaced with Volvo units. The handling is very good for the vintage.

A third brake light has been added in the center of the rear window for safety.

There is also no original Owner’s manual, only copied pages.

The radio is the original AM pushbutton which is not working. Single speaker in the rear package shelf (correct location). We didn’t care about the AM and wanted to keep the stock radio for show reasons. The original clock works intermittently (typical for these Smiths clocks).

There is no Air Conditioning but the heater works well!

Keep in mind this is a 44 year old car, in good condition but not new. Though restored 20+ years ago, maintenance and repairs will continue to be needed throughout its lifetime. It is a very nice example of a mid 60’s 1800S.