1972 Volvo P1800 Coupe to Concours Standard

We are proud to offer here an incredible concours example that has undergone a complete and comprehensive nut and bolt restoration accompanied by a detailed photographic record. Our vendor has numerous documents for the car, including the original purchase receipt and letters from previous owners. According to his findings, just 62 of these cars are registered in the UK through DVLA making this not just beautiful, but incredibly rare too. From an ownership perspective, the grunty 125hp engine gives plenty of power and the car can cruise at 80mph very comfortably with the overdrive engaged. More than 2,500 hours of labour and thousands of parts were invested, replaced, refinished, re-plated and restored to achieve the incredibly high standard of finish witnessed here. Such was the level of commitment given to this project, each component part was first removed, then it was then cleaned, bead blasted, zinc plated and then if appropriate primed and painted or zinc powder coated and then powder coated. The suspension parts for instance are also treated with zinc and then have two layers of powder coat on them, even if the powder coat chips you will never have rust!Included with the car is a receipt for £415.37 dated 23/2/72 from Customs and excise for tax on importing this car. There is a letter from Customs and Excise on the same date acknowledging payment of customs charges relating to this car by the official importer. A letter from the second owner dated 10/2/1995 explains the history of this Volvo. Owned from new by Mrs Hill the car stayed in Buckinghamshire for the first 24 years. It was always garaged. The car went into storage in 1987 at her house at which time it had travelled just 18,700 miles. In 1995 the Volvo was recommissioned by Mr P Millhouse (still with 18,700 miles). Invoices from 1995-1997 show serious money was spent on the car replacing time worn items and completing the 30,000 mile service. In 2001 a further £8,525.26 was spent on a bare-metal respray and restoration along with a host of parts. The car was in the Cheshire area at this time.Some of the major work undertaken was as follows:Exterior: Full glass out paint job in original Volvo 100 Safari Yellow. New chrome trims, new chrome bumpers, window trims, rubber seals, all exterior rubber gaskets, etc. The window trims are the proper heavy brass items that then were chromed. The front grill was re-chromed, the bumper supports powder coated, new mirrors and door handles both chromed, all the door fittings are replaced with the lock mechanism re-plated, new check straps and door seals, new door switches, full rebuilt door locks and all exterior lamp units re-chromed and rewired. The boot trim has been replaced including all the boards in the boot. Boot latches, bonnet hinges and every other conceivable piece re-plated or replaced. Wheels were completely refinished as new with new chrome centre caps and stainless polished wheel-nuts. Wheel arches and underbody painted body colour with all the nasty black undercoating removed. We are assured that there is no rust and you can see all the body work under the car.

Interior: New carpets, all new interior panels provided by Specialist Upholstery who are expert craftsmen. The seat straps were replaced with new webbing, rear seat frame powder coated, new speakers, power antenna, and wiring installed in rear, seats had new foam and leather seats dyed, lower cushions front and rear have new bottoms, all interior gauges and switches and lighting work. New door sill plates, door "hockey sticks", Retro Sound custom stereo with Ipod inputs, custom made retracting shoulder seat belts hidden under rear side trims by Safety Belt Systems using the original Volvo latches and buckles so it looks like a factory fit job.Mechanical: All new rubber hoses, belts, fittings. Everything except the head and the block was stripped and replaced. Complete heater rebuilt, all new brake callipers, master brake cylinder, new pads, discs (the front discs on this car cost c£400.00 to replace), all the levers and operating rods were refinished with powder coat or paint including the brackets. New brake lines to the front, every part in engine bay refinished to a factory finish. The fuel injection system was stripped and refinished, all the fuel injectors have new seals and pintels and flow at the correct rate with a report to back this up. The entire D-Jetronic system is working perfectly. These are very robust systems and this one is set perfectly. Fuel pressure set to factory specs, new starter, alternator, fan clutch, fan powder coated, radiator rebuilt, all relays stripped and fettled, front lighting units rebuilt and new wire harness built, new filters (oil and air), new plugs, new oil pressure and temp sensors, wiper unit serviced with new correct wipers and arms with new chrome bezels. Engine painted to the correct Volvo colour, intake manifold stripped, acid-cleaned and bead-blasted like new.Suspension: Fully rebuilt suspension front and rear, new bushings and gas shocks, new brake backing plates, completely new parking brake system with all cables and levers and seals replaced, all parts re-plated and powder coated as you'd expect on this level of restoration.Boot: The boot is fully boarded with new boards, the entire wiring harness redone; fresh jack in the correct colour, tool kit, even the ultra-rare spare wheel strap is present to secure the spare which has the original Volvo cover on it.Finally, the rear axle and transmission oil was changed and the overdrive unit was serviced. As a precautionary measure, Waxoyl was sprayed in every crack and crevice that would accommodate so the longevity of this thorough restoration can be enjoyed for another 40+ years.Given the level of expertise, time and resource that has gone into this project, we've no doubt the car will be enjoyed long after the price is forgiven...!