Lets install the interior…and a bunch more!
I HATE drive shaft work but it has to be done.
After a spin in the ultrasonic cleaner apparatus, all the components came out like new.
Hardy-Spicer are supplying the new u-joints. I am pretty sure they were OE supplier for Volvo back in the day. Why do they call them u-joints anyway? There is nothing “U” about them. If anything, it they look like an “X” or a +.
In Swedish they are called “knutkors” as in in “connection-cross” . Enough about that!
Three u-joints, one center bearing and a rubber billow are the parts needed to make the drive shaft great again.
The center carrier bearing has to be pressed out…and in.
The drive shaft in the trunk of the 2000 Volvo S40T on it’s way to balancing. Did you know that these cars even have seat belts for the items in the trunk?? Talk about safety! Grocery bags never felt so safe!
Drive shaft back from balancing and it got a coat of paint. Ready to spin at 3,000 RPM or more!
The pinion seal was leaking so an new one is in order. It took a fair amount of leverage to loosen and tighten the flange nut.
…and a puller is needed to remove the flange.
New seal in place.
All good…me thinks.
The newer style battery holder bracket will cover my pretty Swedish “Tudor” sticker. That’s not gonna work!
The early 1800 cars actually had an angle iron on the top edge. I decided to duplicate this.
The angle iron requires longer J-bolts but I had these from a parts car, I bet they are for the angle iron style holder.
Much better!
These sail panels that covers the c-pillar cleaned up well.
I love new technology as in LED lights that use a lot less energy for the same output. All the turn-signal, running lights and brake lights are all LED for that reason and they are more visible. However, when it comes to interior lights, there is nothing that beats the warm glow of a good ‘ol incandescent bulb! This style of bulbs are called festoon bulbs.
According to the internet, the source of nothing but vetted and responsible truths, a festoon can be:
“An ornament such as a garland or chain which hangs loosely from two tacked spots OR…A specific style of electric light bulb consisting of a cylindrical enclosure with two points of contact on either end.”
The early cars used the opaque lenses (left) for the rear lights and at some point, they changed to the clear fluted lenses (right)
Glow baby, glow!
The defroster hose from the Volvo suppliers has a 40mm inside diameter unlike the original that is about 37mm (1.5 inch) This would mean I have to use a hose clamp or space out the flange with some tape or something.
No bueno!
I found these on the World Wide Interweb. They are a Goodyear product designed for air cleaner pre-heat systems and the spec is 1.5 inch ID.
It’s a perfect fit and they look like OE stuff.
That works.
The old sun visors were kind of soggy so these new ones will do the trick.
The are a bit floppy with only one attachment point. There is a reason Volvo added a center bracket in the later cars.
Volvo radio by Bendix. This radio does not work but I am OK with it, it’s just there for looks. I did wire up the bulb inside the radio to the dash lights, as I love the subtle glow of the radio display at night.
I have a mobile Bluetooth speaker bar that I can bring in case I feel the need for ABBA or Led Zeppelin tunes while driving.
Did you know that Bluetooth got its name from Harald Blåtand. He was the king of Denmark between 958 to 986. The story is that he had a bad tooth that was dark and looked blue. He also tried to rule Norway for a while but it didn’t go so well. Stay in your lane, Harald!
I used an angle drive from a J-type overdrive.
It was a Royal Swedish Pain to install the speed cable rubber grommet with the cable in it. You can’t install the grommet first because of the fittings on each end.
In 1963, all Volvo passenger cars got these hub caps. I think they are way prettier than the Jensen caps but don’t tell a Jensen owner that!
OK, let’s install the interior.
These are just the components that goes in the rear. No wonder Volvo simplified this in the later year. I took this apart almost three years ago and it took a while to figure out what goes in first.
A bit of a puzzle…
I added extra sound deadening wherever I could, I used jute padding and also MLV (Mass Loaded Vinyl) to lessen road noise as much as I can. The MLV stops the noise dead in it’s tracks.
In the cavity under the “seat” cushions, Volvo originally used gray vinyl for a clean look. I am not sure why the bothered since this area will not be seen unless you lift up the cushions but who am I to argue… I didn’t have any gray vinyl but I have this super soft goat skin.
This may look goofy but there is a master plan.
Like so. You would never see this unless you lift the pillows but it looks more finished. I bet many Swedes used this area to smuggle in cheap alcohol from the east block countries back in the day.
Cushions in place.
The driver foot support gets covered with carpeting first.
I am not a fan of the foot operated headlight dimmer switch but I will live with it for now. This car will not be driven much in the dark anyway.
These storage compartments came about after Sir. Sterling Moss test drove the 1800 prototype. He loved the car but suggested that Volvo add these to “store maps and chocolates.” Mr. Moss also sent an invoice to Volvo for his “evaluation”. It is my understanding that Volvo ignored it.
Yes, there will be a trim grommet around the dimmer switch.
Originally, the carpeting on the rear floor riser panel had binding on the top edge but the replacement carpet did not have this. I could go to an upholstery shop and fix this but in order to get this car on the road, I used red c-channel door edge guard to give it a finished look.
That’s a lot of RED. But I like it!
This story tracks! The seat tracks were cleaned, lubed and painted where needed.
For some reason, this carpet did not have edging on the area where front and rear carpet meet. This looks rather unfinished.
I made this trim piece. The bolt is held on my double sticky tape and will server as a guide for the piece.
Covered with a matching red vinyl.
That’s looks more finished. It is held on by the rocker trim and the track.
All tracks in place.
I had every intention to upgrade the car to modern retractable seat belts but in the interest of time, I will use the original belts for now.
Even if they are not retractable, these chrome claw style latches are high the cool list. These early versions have a thicker and rounder design.
I may actually have custom retractable seat belts made that will utilize this claw in the future.
The sound of these latches grabbing the seat belt loop on the transmission tunnel brings me back to my childhood when dad buckled up for safety in his 1965 122 wagon more than 55 years ago!
My dad was a seat belt advocate. He had a work colleague that said he could resist a collision by just holding his arms out. Without warning, my dad slammed the brakes, sending the guy nose first in to the dashboard. The man wore his seat belt religiously since then.
“PATENT SÖKT” means “Patent has been sought”. What that means is that this seat belt was made before July 10, 1962. Because…
That was the day when United States Patent Office issued patent number 3043625 to Nils Bohlin, a Swedish engineer, for a three-point safety belt designed for use in road cars. The belt was straightforward, consisting of two straps that met at the hip and secured both the upper and lower body.
Editors note: I don’t know who the patent illustrator was but this is clearly Capitan Sven on his way to the yacht in his safe Volvo!
Bohlin joined AB Volvo as a safety engineer in 1958 and he directed the Automotive Safety and Interior Design Departments beginning in 1959. In 1969, Bohlin was assigned to Volvo’s Central Research and Development Department until 1984. In 1999, he was inducted in to the Automobile Hall of Fame.
Volvo enthusiasts are probably aware of the fact that Volvo allowed any manufacturer to duplicate the three point seat belt as they felt that people’s safety trumps profit. This is what you call a good corporate citizen.
Even with the Stirling Moss cubby holes, there is not much storage in a P1800 car. This tray was a popular option for these cars. It hold a Samsung cell phone perfectly, it is clear that Volvo planned for this…honest!
The short shifter with a chrome trim ring as one of the coolest design features on the 1800 cars. This feature is made even cooler with a Russ Engineering Inc. designed cherry wood sifter knob to match the custom steering wheel.
Time for the pièce de resistance:
The cherry wood steering wheel also made by the aforementioned Russ Engineering Inc.
Mandatory cognac (Yes, not “beige”) driving gloves and matching key fob.
All systems go!
Wroom!
What’s next??
In the word of Clay Davis, the Baltimore mayor in “The wire”:
Well Sheeeeee-it! Let’s go for a drive!