This can be a 1969 Volvo 1800S that has had its unique 2.0 liter inline four-cylinder engine eliminated and changed with a 5.7 liter Chevrolet small block V8 sending energy again by means of a 5-speed handbook transmission.
The Volvo P1800 has lengthy been hailed as one of the vital lovely automobile designs of its time, the important thing disadvantage for some was the shortage of energy from the 4 cylinder engine. The particular person behind this automobile has solved that concern, and added a slew of suspension and braking upgrades to match.
Quick Details – A 350 V8 Powered Volvo 1800S
- The Volvo P1800 was designed by a Swede, although this truth was stored secret for a few years with the Scandinavian automaker preferring folks to imagine it had been designed by the Italians.
- The P1800 was launched in 1961 and offered in varied mannequin iterations, together with a taking pictures brake model, till 1973. The sooner vehicles had been powered by a 1.8 liter B18 inline 4, with later vehicles getting the marginally extra highly effective 2.0 liter B20 engine.
- It’s attainable the P1800 would have remained an obscure Swedish sports activities automobile if it wasn’t for the truth that one was pushed by Roger Moore within the fashionable Sixties British thriller/spy/thriller TV sequence “The Saint.”
- The automobile you see right here now has a 5.7 liter small block V8 fitted, it’s paired with a 5-speed transmission, upgraded suspension, and disc brakes back and front to higher deal with the numerous energy improve.
The Volvo P1800
The undertaking to develop the Volvo P1800 started within the late Nineteen Fifties, the Swedish automaker needed their very own sports activities automobile to promote within the profitable North American and European markets and their earlier try, the P1900, had failed miserably.
In interval promoting Volvo made positive to attract parallels to most of the best sports activities and GT vehicles of the period.
The P1800 undertaking was helmed by Helmer Petterson, the daddy of the favored Volvo PV444/544, apparently the automobile can be designed in secret by his personal son Pelle Petterson who was working in Italy with stylist Pietro Frua on the time.
In an effort to scale back value and complexity the P1800 was primarily based on the identical underpinnings because the preexisting Volvo Amazon 122. This was additionally arguably one of many hardest manufacturing cars of its day, so it offered a stable basis for the brand new sports activities automobile.
The primary prototypes had been constructed by Carrozzeria Frua in Italy in 1957. Early negotiations with Karmann may have seen the P1800 in manufacturing as quickly as 1958 nonetheless Volkswagen forbade the contract and Karmann obeyed.
Numerous different potential physique producers had been thought of till Volvo settled on Jensen in West Bromwich, England. The metal our bodies can be manufactured by Pressed Metal in Scotland and despatched to Jensen in England by prepare for ending and match out.
The styling of the Volvo 1800 has been profitable it accolades for many years.
The early examples of the P1800 had been fitted with the Volvo B18 1.8 liter inline-four producing 100 bhp and deliveries started in 1961. By 1963 Volvo had determined to convey manufacturing in-house, a revised automobile was launched and named the 1800S with that “S” standing for “Sweden.” Energy climbed initially to 108 bhp after which to 115 bhp, then in 1969 the two.0 liter B20 engine changed the B18 and energy climbed to 118 bhp.
In 1970 the 1800E was launched with a slew of modifications for the brand new decade, these included a gas injected engine and a brand new camshaft that when mixed boosted energy output to 130 bhp.
Lastly in 1972 the ultimate main model of the mannequin can be launched – the Volvo 1800ES with an attractive taking pictures brake (coupe station wagon) bodywork. This mannequin would then stay in manufacturing till a yr later in 1973.
The 350 V8 Powered Volvo 1800S Proven Right here
The automobile you see right here was constructed to deal with what was in all probability the primary gripe that many had in regards to the P1800, and that was its relative lack of efficiency. The automobile appeared quick, however with out mods it hardly ever was quick.
Getting a 350 cubic inch American V8 beneath the hood was no imply feat, the work was undertaken by Knight’s Physique Store of Quinby, South Carolina.
The undertaking started with vital modifications within the engine bay to make sure the bigger Chevrolet V8 would match, together with its exhaust headers, Holley carburetor, and different ancillaries. The engine was mated to a 5-speed handbook transmission which sends energy again to a reside axle rear finish.
The entrance suspension was changed with coil overs and within the rear the automobile now makes use of a mix of coil springs and adjustable-height airbags. The rear axle additionally has a Panhard rod and twin anti-tramping bars fitted for good axle location.
To raised deal with the facility four-wheel disc brakes have been fitted, and the automobile now has air-con, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, a trunk-mounted gas cell, three-point entrance seat belts, energy steering, and a vintage-style aftermarket radio.
The automobile has been fitted with “Prancing Moose” badges, a favourite within the customized Volvo group for apparent causes, however the faux Ferrari badge on the grille may in all probability do with being eliminated – this automobile doesn’t must fake to be something different that what it already is.
For those who’d prefer to learn extra about this common Volvo or place a bid you’ll discover the itemizing right here on Convey a Trailer. It’s being offered out of Florence, South Carolina.
Pictures courtesy of Convey a Trailer
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