1969 Volvo 1800s AC Overdrive 30 year Owner Restoration almost complete

1969 Volvo Other Description

1969 Volvo 1800S B20B AC Overdrive - Factory Black w/ Red Leather interior
Awesome opportunity to buy a great looking car and to be able to enjoy while you finish what needs to be done. Rare year and color combination. Only 1693 units were made for the 1969 model year.This was the 122nd model from the last unit for the 1969 year.
I have personal written notes from previous owners about the car. I'll gladly provide the same. This is my most favorite of all cars I have owned... This was my daily driver for several years. I showed the car but also drove it daily.At the moment...this car stands in the way of something a bit more important to my family and I. So...after much thought...It needs to find a new home. I cannot continue to work on it "on the weekends" as it has taken much too long. I used to have a shop where I could work on things and at the moment I am pushed for space.I have been working on old cars since 1974 when I bought a '38 Buick Business Coupe when I was 14.I am an "old car guy" and never put ethanol in any of my older cars. I have owned 5 Volvo 1800's... including an ES which I restored and sold in 2010 in order to finish this car...my favorite.
I have most if not all receipts for work/parts since 1987. I also have invoices back to at least 1976 from the first Owner.
KNOWN HISTORY:I am the 3rd Owner. I saw it advertised christmas of 1986... made some calls....waited...hoped and then got financing.I purchased for $4,600 January 27th 1987... and took delivery of this car in Toledo, Ohio from the Second owner on February 1st 1987. We drove it back to Troy, Ohio and then back to South Georgia.I have records going back to the 1970's when the car "lived" in and around York, Pennsylvania. I will put the records in slip sheets in a 3 ring binder. I do this for every old car that I own, have owned.I was told, the 1st owner got the car as a 16th birthday present...she re-connected with me in the early 1990's and mentioned that if I ever wanted to sell to look her up... I never thought I would but I have kept all the records and correspondence. I have recently tried to re-connect but have not had any luck as of yet. She sold the car in 1985 to the gentleman in Toledo, Ohio.
It was at a paint shop in 2002 in Florida and the Distributor and my Stromberg 175CD's intake manifold etc were stolen off the car. I then had to buy a New Distributor and carb setup.
The car has been garaged since I purchased 30 years ago.ENGINE/BODY:In 1989 it was in an accident and needed a new rear fender and quarter panel. (See Picture) I bought a new rear valance and Left Rear Quarter panel from Sweden at that time.The engine had had a broken piston ring. I had it bored it out at .20 over to clean up the cylinder wall. I purchased a stock "C" grind cam from IDP. The car has a great sound at idle. I sent the original B20B to a motor shop in Live Oak, Florida and began to prepare the car, strip it to rolling chassis, for new paint body and frame repair. The car was painted in 2002 in (Hamilton County) Live Oak, Florida. They also installed the new frame rails, rockers and sill members, Front floor pan (Drivers Side) etc...The paint and body work were rough.I decided to install the newly re-built, original engine to the car, B20B (The car's original factory installed engine) and figured I would repaint the car at a later date.I put it back of my shop for another 10 years or so... It was a rolling, driveable shell with a newly re-built engine anda "New" Wiring Harness. (Little did I know that the harness was a useless expense as it was NOT what I ordered. When we realized it did not match, I called to ask and was told "You can't get one for a 1969." You can now... call VP Autoparts. (See pricing below).In 2014 I decided to finish the car. I thought we would try and keep the Wiring harness but it has reared it's head twice. I have worked through that to where the car can be driven and enjoyed...headlights, brake lights and turn signals all work. Dash lights, flasher (1969 anomaly) are not currently connected
This car can be enjoyed right now BUT there are things that need to be done to get it "finished". Much of this can be done on the weekends by you and/or friends or a reputable shop. It will cost money/time either way.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE:-New Black Paint... Sikkens AutoClear 3. High Solids polyurethane Clear Coat. The car looks like a "Christmas Ornament". Painted 2015.I chose not to re-install the side markers on the body. These occur at both front and back of car. (I didn't like the way they looked but I have them if someone would like to install).-New Michelin 185/15 XZX Redline tries (Same as on TR-6). I like the look and have run those on the car since I purchased in '87....installed 2015.-NOS Grille Insert which I purchased back in 1988 or so... and kept till installed 2015.-New S.S Rear Bumper 2016-New Wiper Arms 2016, I have new NOS Wiper blades which will come with the car.-New License Light Assembly 2016-New vent Window rubbers and Door sill tops... Door panels... etc...-New Gear Shift Chrome Grommet and Rubber-New Rubber seals at all windows, door mouldings, sills, Gas Cap seal, Bumper Grommets, Front Grille Surround etc...installed 2016-New Wheel Trim Rings over newly painted wheels. ( I have the original aluminum wheel covers...see photo's)Installed 2016-New Red Leather front Seats (From Don Thibault), New seat webbing. Installed 2015-New Interior, Carpet, Panels, Headliner, Rear Seat, Door Tops. Ongoing...-New Vinyl Padded dash top and bottom. (Top is NOT installed due to electrical not being finished...I'll explain below) 2015-New Wiring harness BUT...it was for a 68. When I purchased back around '02/'04...the 1969 (Unique) was not available...-New brakes winter of 2014-New Fuel pump 2014-Radiator Boiled out cleaned, radiator shop, plus installed new water pump. 2015-New Distributor...(2004 or so...)-New Redline Weber 38 DGES Carb 2015/2016-New tail light assembly's and lenses installed 2015-New Front marker lights, turn signals and trim rings. 2015/2016-New Headlights and new trim rings 2015/2016_New Front and Rear Emblems and VOLVO letters 2015/2016-New Stainless and new Aluminum Trim. Installed 2016-New rear view mirrors. Installed 2016-Battery is 2014 or so...-New Rubber "Gravel guards". They mount on body in front of rear wheels. One has been installed...other waiting.-New front, back, side quarter windows, Windshield rubber seals and aluminum trim. Installed 2016-Gas tank was taken to radiator shop last year and cleaned, painted. I reinstalled on car 2015/2016-Spare tire and painted Wheel...with original rear floor matt and spare tire cover. 2016-New seal at gas cap and new lock assembly. 2015Front Grille Oval is original but VERY clean. (If I didn't mention...you might not notice)Glass is all original-Original red Volvo Jack is in trunk.-Original Hubcaps...but NEW trim rings.-Original Sun Visors-Original Cowl Vent, It was sent to Chrome shop and polished 2013.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE or MY OPINION, NEEDS TO BE RE-DONE:Big Stuff:Two issues with the harness:1. Headlight wiring messed up and I professionally had it spliced... all was well... I took the car to a reputable shop and had them work through the wireing issues as best they could.2. I recently disconnected the AC as when I went to hit my High Beams on one night, while my AC was on...I saw smoke. I immediately flipped back to low beams and disconnected the AC. So....-Solution: Buy the correct harness from Volvo....... 1969 with Overdrive. VP Autoparts $600.73 ...cost to install...do it yourself or pay $600 to install? Say: Total $1,200-The Frame rails, Sill Members, Cross Member, Chassis Rail need to be re-purchased and re-done (Worst Case Scenario). These can be purchased from I-Roll Motors or VP Autoparts as follows (WORST CASE). I'm not sure what it needs so this may be correct or overkill:
A. Main frame Rail w/Kick-up:I-Roll Motors: $160 PairB. Main Frame Rail: I-Roll Motors:$75 PairC. Rear Cross Member 1/2:$47...or $94 PairD. Inner Rocker: I-Roll Motors:$35....or $70 pairE. Jack Strut: I-Roll Motors: $45 or $90 PairF. Floor Pan: I-Roll Motors $80TOTAL say $700.00... (There will be a discount by some suppliers if you purchase a buinch. Such discount may knock off 10 to 15 to 20% but I am not taking that into account)To INSTALL say $2000 to $3,000? (Good shop, friends or yourself)
So...Worst case $3,500+$1,200with Wiring harness and Body work ....$4,700. I think it can be done for $3000 to $5,000 but that is my thoughts. I try to do my own work BUT the Metal work needs to be done by a professional... or you may be that individual.- Rear Transmission seal is leaking. Purchase seal and install when frame rail repair is underway.engine can be tilted and accessed for new rear seal.
Little Stuff:-Connect speedo cable.-After wiring is complete, re-done or resolved...Install Top Dash Cover...and Rear View Mirror assembly.-Front windshield may need to be cleaned or polished. There is a bit of a stain I cant remove.-Install New shocks?-Original seat belts can be replaced if you send off the originals. I think it is $200 to $300.-New lower aluminum Door sills would be nice. Mine are original. They are not that expensive. Say $120 for pair...-Horns not connected-Emergency Brake not connected-Hook up Speedometer (I have a new cable)-Install and hook up Radio, Tachometer and other electrical devices once Harness is correct.-I would also replace front end stuff...bushings etc...

Even if you repair all that I have mentioned...it is an old car and it will have other issues come up as that is the nature of older cars. I have driven it back and forth to work but have not taken it on trips any longer than 15 to 20 miles.

If you're not a member yet...Join VSA.org as there are many great folks that can help you find what you need.

These are awesome cars and the ownership network of friends are as good as it gets.

Being sold AS-IS

I INVITE YOU TO CALL OR DROP BY TO SEE THE CAR.

I will respond to any and all questions.

Again...

"At the moment...this car stands in the way of something a bit more important to my family and I. So...after much thought...It needs to find a new home. I cannot continue to work on it "on the weekends" as it has taken much too long. I used to have a shop where I could work on things and at the moment I am pushed for space."

THANK YOU!

Check out my other stuff...

Early Packard Single 6's 1921 0n..., Packard 6's, 8's, Packard Custom 8's, Volvo 1800, 122 and 544's, DeSoto 1949, 1950, Chrysler, Studebaker, Beechcraft, Grumman and Meyers aircraft, QB, American Flying Club, Plus....

Sonny Jr. Harp Amps, Gretsch & Fender Amps.

Aircraft Avionics, Bose headsets, Radar Altimeters, Collins NavComs plus...

On Nov-27-16 at 16:03:14 PST, seller added the following information:

I just remembered:Other item's to be completed:
1. Interior carpeting: The front floors will of course need to be placed. I have the New snaps and the carpet is ready. The snaps are two pieceThe left foot rest on firewall under dash is not there...when they put in the new floor board they omitted that. That could be shaped out of thinker gauge sheet metwl and placed back in car as the carpeting "expects" that bump out to be there. You also may want to "adjust" the carpeting I have already placed.
2. If it matters...there is one luggage belt missing. (They come on eBay every now and then).
3. I did not install or cut out for the rear Speaker. I was going to try possibly a blue tooth scenario under the seats or speakers under dash. So...If you want speakers in the back...you can cut them out they way you want.
In closing... with this sale there is no warranty intended or implied.Thank you.

On Dec-01-16 at 15:57:45 PST, seller added the following information:

Please see answers to questions. At times my computuer will show me error messages so I am not sure if the answers have been posted.
Recently I was asked about the Front Bumper.It is BRAND NEW Stainless Steel and WILL go with the car. The Brackets have both been painted and are ready to install. You can see in the pictures the front Bumper Grommets, which are brand new, have been installed in the lower front valance.