Dale is what you call a “Volvo Guy”. While attending Shoreline Community College, his friends bought American muscle cars while Dale was eyeballing European cars. He found a 1967 Volvo 1800 and quickly parted with $2000.00.
Two weeks later, Dale and a friend was going to a wedding in San Francisco. During that trip (allegedly) Dale tested the speedometer just to find out it could reach 110 mph. (Again, allegedly) Three years later, the car took it’s own life by snapping off the A-arm on the freeway. Dale walked away though.
A second Volvo 1800 entered Dale’s life in 1990. This time a 1968 1800S. It was among daily driving also used to bring home Dale’s adopted son in 1992. Good memories. Dale’s wife drove all over West Seattle with their son right next to her. No air bags, no ABS, just a Volvo.
Now…fast forward to 2020:
Presenting Dale and his 1965 1800S, chassis number 13833. The 1965 model year started at chassis number 12,500 so it is an early car as it was assembled in late 1964.
Dale bought it as a running project from a young man in Ballard. In 2019 he decided to bring the car back to it’s former glory. It is getting harder every day to find body and paint guys that want to do…you know…body and paint. It is hard labor and there will always be a surprise or two for the customer.
Dale found Restoration & Rods in Port Orchard that was able to do the job. They normally work on American muscle cars but they were willing to take on this Swedish car.
During the stripping of the paint they found the mandatory surprise. The nose had been crunched and it was rather ugly under the filler. A good parts car was located and it donated the nose and it was beautifully crafted in place.
The body man worked hard while Dale visited weekly to check on the progress and to write checks!
I have seen a lot of Volvos painted red but very seldom do they end up in the right hue. The code 46 red from Volvo was a darker red and the body shop hit it right on the nose. They even put down a black primer to give the red color it’s dark appearance. This was an all windows out paint job for best result.
The body came out very straight and was cut and polished until smooth and shiny.
1965 was the first year for the new style bumpers but the 1800S still had the beautiful door “hockey stick” door side moulding.
Just like Eric, Dale also suffers from JWBS = Jensen Wanna-Be Syndrome”
How can you not have this affliction, the early P1800 cars had the coolest trim.
(Editor’s Smart Ass Note: Get a Jensen already!! )
This syndrome usually results in one or more early Jensen 1800 trim or components ending up on the car. In Dale’s case, the most noticeable feature in the early aluminum egg crate grille.
More Jensen Syndrome: These beautiful c-pillar emblems were dropped as of chassis number 6178 but Dale found an NOS set with Swedish gold and Swedish chrome plating. These emblems are as collectible as Swedish Meatballs!
Note result of “windows out” paint job: no paint on the rubber mouldings.
The 1965 cars originally had a rather plain air intake grille but Dale opted for the early style.
The chrome headlight mesh covers are reminiscent of vintage rally cars and an excellent era correct accessory.
Coco mats were invented in the 1950’s to be original equipment for Porsche snd Mercedes. To protect the original carpeting, Dale opted for the same material with custom made Volvo logos. Also note perfect sill plate with new chrome screws.
The Boiler Room: Great running B18 Sport motor. Aftermarket cast valve cover quiets the lifter noise. Factory brake booster is still functional.
The office: All stock except added gauges under the day to monitor the B-18 power plant. Smart move as the 50+ year old Smith instruments were less than reliable even when new.
The black leather seats use the Recaro chrome hinges for adjustability and comfort.
Factory Volvo radio by Bendix is Installed using the “angle kit” Note the angle on the chrome ferrule behind the knobs. It also have angle brackets on the back side. Because of the location of the wiper motor on the 1800 car it can not go straight back. If you see one of those angle kit at the swap meet, snap it up.
When I drove this car to my shooting location, I was enjoying the short shifter operating the smooth shifting M41 transmission. Once cruising speed is achieved, the Laycock de Normanville Type D overdrive drops the RPM, reduces cabin noise while increasing fuel efficiency.
We take the overdrives in these cars for granted but we may want to appreciate the work of Edgar de Normanville. He was the inventor of the Laycock de Normanville overdrives but he was also a journalist of all things!
Laycock de Normanville brought their first overdrive to the market in 1948. Standard Motors used it as a factory option for their 1950 Vanguard.
Stock rims are shod with 185/15 radials, an excellent alternative to the 165/15 that can only be obtained from expensive specialty tire dealers.
Thanks Dale, for sharing your car with us and the world.
By Rolf Åström
Photo by Dale and Rolf