Since I am restoring a 1961 Volvo P1800 it is always great to connect with other owners of the same model. Chances are that they have some words of wisdom or maybe even a spare of that missing part. You get the idea…
Tom Lamb in California owns this beauty.
This is a 1962 model with chassis number 4937 and as you can see Volvo still used the full wheel covers. In 1963 Volvo changed things up by equipping the P1800 with the corporate rolling stock consisting of a solid body colored steel wheel with the large chrome hub cap.
How can you not want to pilot a vintage car with gauges as cool as these? They look even better at night as they emit a warm turquoise glow.
6500 RPM redline tells the driver when it is time to shift! Even though the five main bearing engine is very strong that is all the push rod assembly need to be exposed to.
Take this in: You are ready to enter a Swedish Grand Tourer right here by sitting down in this flawless red interior.
You will spend many hours here enjoying the short distinct shifter operating the smooth synchromesh transmission and comfortable highway cruising courtesy of the Laycock de Normanville overdrive.
All this while enjoying the glorious notes courtesy of the twin SU carburetors when approaching the aforementioned 6500 RPM redline.
Tom restored the car about twelve years ago but it looks like it was done yesterday. It was restored to stock specifications with some small exceptions. For example, the distributor is now hosting a no maintenance electronic ignition system replacing the old points. Besides the obvious benefit Tom may even have picked up another horsepower or two.
Thanks Tom, for sharing your car with us. You set the bar high and that is now my challenge to reach the same level.
Photo: Tom Lamb