Weekend Edition – A 1974 Volvo P1800 ES on Craigslist… A Proper Shooting Brake.

Jim Brennan

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Welcome to another Craigslist Quick Hit… This time it is one of our favorite Volvos, the P1800 ES, and this one is a 1974 edition. This tip comes from Pete Gaines (thanks Man!) and he stated in his email that “This is…tempting.” I couldn’t agree more, but what do you think?

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According to the listing:

Red 1974 Volvo ES 1800 Manual 4spd w/overdrive Sport Wagon.
Serious buyers only. Research the Volvo ES 1800 before making an offer.

This is a super rare, super awesome – Volvo ES 1800 Sport Wagon.
Only 8,077 examples of the ES were built in its two model years.
It’s from 1974 so it has some issues as all vintage cars do.
The 1800 is mechanically sound.
Starts every time. Runs great.
Recently driven on 500 mile trip. Never a problem.
2 owners in same family prior to current owner.

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Aprox 275K miles (this is the million mile car so that’s just breaking it in)
Clean body and underneath.
Rust around wheel wells and around some trim areas should be remediated.
Sport shocks
Repro hood
Professionally re-upholstered
Speedo not working, odometor works fine so you can get mph from that or easy fix in estimate below.
Trans leaks oil
Recently inspected by European American Motors.
Estimate of $500-800 for trans leak, speedo, fuel lines, seals and bearings on one wheel

Comes with set of 4 racing wheels.

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Asking price for this rather rare Volvo is $5,000, or best offer. See the listing here, or if the ad disappears, click here. Tell me what you would do with this proper Shooting Brake if you bought it…

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Jim Brennan

Jim Brennan

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18 responses to “Weekend Edition – A 1974 Volvo P1800 ES on Craigslist… A Proper Shooting Brake.”

  1. danleym Avatar
    danleym

    I don't know what the market price is for these, but I don't think I could pay $5k for something with 275,000 miles on it. Great looking car, but it doesn't really tempt me too much at that price. But hey, I know nothing about 70's Volvo prices, maybe this is a steal for all I know.

    Reply
    1. FrankTheCat Avatar
      FrankTheCat

      This is a Volvo. 275,000 miles is just the warmup.

      Reply
    2. Zach Avatar
      Zach

      Like the seller says, it's just getting broken in:
      http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/p…
      On top of that, these are almost certainly the most unique and beautiful cars you can buy in the U.S. on a normal person's budget.
      Steal or no steal, it's a realistic price. Unless you know of another reliable, easy-to-maintain shooting brake out there for $5k.

      Reply
      1. danleym Avatar
        danleym

        I know, I know, I've read the story before. Like I said, this may well be a good price, it just isn't low enough to really tempt me.
        As far as being the most unique and beautiful cars in the US for the price, well, to each his own. I don't deny it's a great looking car, but personally, I wouldn't go that far. Just my opinion though.

        Reply
  2. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
    Dean Bigglesworth

    It's rough enough so i wouldn't feel bad about dropping a Coyote in it. Lower it, roll out the arches slightly, put some larger but still reasonably sized modern wheels on, redo all of the suspension and brakes…. kind of like a pro-touring P1800.
    A good one is 15k€+ around here so 5k$ seems reasonable.

    Reply
  3. Max Fenn Avatar
    Max Fenn

    It's beautiful, but unless I'm mistaken, there's some rust peeking through one of the wheel wells and it looks like some serious blistering around the rest. So I don't know how true "clean body and underneath"is.

    Reply
  4. eggsalad Avatar
    eggsalad

    Interesting. There isn't any such thing as a 1974 1800. Production ended in 1973, and the shooting brake was only made for '72 and '73. If the seller doesn't even know such simple facts, what else doesn't he/she know about the car?

    Reply
  5. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    I would both shoot and brake for a nice P1800ES, but probably not for this particular car. Rust is a huge issue with these, even though mechanically I am not a bit worried about the mileage.

    Reply
  6. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    Fair price if the car is together and doesn't have substantial problems lurking – like the rust others have mentioned. Reproduction hood, for instance – Why was it needed? There's not a big supply chain for a lot of the body and trim parts, so you'd want those to be intact and in good condition.

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      I guess http://global.gcp.se/ or VP Parts are a good start? It's not a Mercedes, but most should be sourceable for Volvos, too – new or used.

      Reply
      1. Van_Sarockin Avatar
        Van_Sarockin

        Nice. But they're sourcing, not manufacturing. So there's a finite number of available parts for some things, which was my point.
        But it suggests that Volvo might do well to establish an arm. like Mercedes and Ferrari, etc., to provide factory level refurbishment for any of their old cars. Those antique Volvos have such a dedicated following, that I'm sure a lot of them would pay crazy money to have them remade showroom fresh. Since Volvo has made an advertising point about its durability, ruggedness and devoted owners, this could help boost new car sales.

        Reply
  7. wisc47 Avatar
    wisc47

    Considering it has the ability to go millions of miles, looks the business, and has all that space in back, this would be the ultimate road trip car. Vegas anyone? How about Baja California?

    Reply
    1. Van_Sarockin Avatar
      Van_Sarockin

      More cargo room than a Miata, but not exactly acres of storage. By all accounts, they're excellent tourers.

      Reply
  8. MADman Avatar
    MADman

    No such animal as a 74 P1800ES must be a 73. He wants five grand for a rusty car he is not sure of the year and what else is the seller unaware of? It might be a 2 grand project it you had another donor car MAYBE. But not for me or anyone I know.

    Reply
  9. Mark Anthony Avatar
    Mark Anthony

    Hemmings has a fully restored example going for $11,900.
    http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/v…
    You could be upside down real quick on this one. It's always a good idea to get the best example you could afford.

    Reply
    1. calgoat Avatar
      calgoat

      Gah! Why must it be an auto? Besides the lack of clutch pedal, that's a pretty groovy beast right there.

      Reply
  10. calgoat Avatar
    calgoat

    Looks too risky for me, but I do like the car. If only I had mountains of cash to burn… le sigh… I'm sure someone will pay the asking price.

    Reply
  11. Linn Avatar
    Linn

    There were no 1974's. I have a1972 with under 90,000 miles in much better condition – no rust, no dents nor scratches. The radio and clock don't work and it's been idle since 1996 but I still love to look at it!

    Reply