Update on a member’s 1963 P1800S that has been sitting since 1997.
My motorcycle lift works well as a solid base for my “el cheapo” tire tool.
These work well for removing tires but they are hard on the painted surface. I am refinishing the wheels anyway, but I would not recommend it for installations.
A full set of 165/15R tires on shiny wheels. The stainless trim rings were polished to chrome finish.
The original egg crate grille cleaned up very well. I had a good used grille chrome surround that is very presentable.
The bumpers came from a 1963 parts car I bought from the late great Oddvar. That car is credited for saving several other 1800 cars.
I had some really nice headlight trim rings and all the lights got new rubber gaskets.
The original brakes looked pretty tired…and ugly!
Shiny new stuff! Including Japanese Koyo bearings.
These shocking revelations could really be damping my spirit…or the car.
This really came as a shock to me!
Note factory blue markings on the front springs and the rear springs have yellow markings. I am guessing the markings denotes spring rates.
Since you can no longer get the early style brakes, I upgraded to the later style. This means replacing the rear shield, caliper bracket and steel brake line and you will need the newer style rotors, calipers, hardware kit and pads.
Ball joints, A-arm bushings and steering arms were replaced as well.
Other housekeeping items:
Before the new tank was installed, I could install new trunk boards.
This side also have the clips for the jack T-handle.
Chevrolet engine orange is a great match to the Volvo tools from this era.
The generator got new sealed bearings and new brushes.
The tachometer is as handsome as ever but it is non functional (surprise!)
The early cars use a separate tachometer sending unit that is located in the grille, you know, where water, road debris and salt will get to it. Brilliant!
I sent the tachometer to West Valley Instruments in California. They converted it to a “one wire” unit with modern internals. This will make it accurate as well as dependable.
Next: rear brakes, suspension bushings and shocks.
By Rolf Åström