Volvo 1800 ES
Basket case for restoration. A new project during which I hope to build up a more diverse skill set.
Oops:- I may have bitten off more than I can chew.
I dived in as vehicles were getting more pricey. Every one I looked at towards the top of my budget exhibited signs of an impending restoration. Why not pre-empt this and buy one already started? I am writing this in 2022 having had the vehicle for quite some time and I think I can safely say this is perhaps not the most sound idea I ever had.
I collected the ES from North Shields and trailered it home to the site where my trailer was stored. I did a fair amount of stripping out and sorting out what bits were what and then was able to move it for a few months to my friend Mike's yard.
We got the engine out and I completed the disassembly of the interior. The engine was mounted on a stand and I got to work on this under Mike's supervision.
As Winter set in I was able to get a workshop at my original storage place and the 1800 has been in there ever since. Equipment has been bought along with items available that are needed and I have gradually sourced the difficult to find items that were missing. I have done a large amount of welding and fabrication but am still probably only 1/2 way through that side of the project. I get disheartened on a regular basis but I know I can finish this.
Getting to the bottom of things
It has been some time since I did any work on this website. Have I been lazy? I don;t think so. Regarding the ES, what has happened so far?
When I got the car I knew it was one bad attempt short of the scrapyard. On closer inspection it was worse. At every turn this seems to be the gift that keeps on giving. I have had to undo most of the previous work done to the vehicle and I am still only part way through that. The main thing is bodywork or lack thereof. I have had to cut back things very slowly to try and see some remaining original structure for reference. Does this sound depressing and negative? Trust me it is the voice of a realist. I will try and compile a brief trail of the various disasters in words and pictures. Things are moving forward and I plan to do some of the interior and mechanical refurbishment when I can't be on bodywork by taking it with me where I travel and sorting that in my free time.
The next article will have pictures.
Saving a Volvo 1800ES
Lots of vehicles have running repairs over the years to keep them on the road. If taken on by the owner some of those repairs can be excellent, some governed by availability of materials, some governed by money and all governed by whether the owner has the skills or desire to do a good job. The Volvo we are hoping to save is probably one bad repair from the scrapheap. At least 2 former owners have done work on this vehicle however I suspect that this number is actually closer to 5. I have committed to getting this car back to running condition. Probably not concourse but running, structurally sound and useable as a daily driver with original factory colour paint to emphasise the lines the designer created.
I hope to share this learning curve with you.
CURVE!
MORE LIKE A CLIFF.
Not defeated yet, just resigned to the fact it isn't going to be done in a jiffy.
