Volvo B-1800

[kschoenefeld]

Is there a kit with a Volvo B1800 body? It is one car that is about as nice looking as the Cobra. And with modern suspension and a V8, it would make a great kit.

[tkb289]

Karl,

The Volvo P1800 is a great car … had one years ago.

There are a few examples of P1800s with V8 conversions, but I don't know of any 'body kits' as such, where as you suggest the P1800 body be put over a modern frame & V8 drive line.

However ... Below is a link to a good article on P1800s and in Part 4 it talks about a prototype V8 P1800 done by Holman and Moody no less, that was tested by Ford and then shown to Volvo executives in 1964 … makes for some very interesting reading.

Bottom line, there is a lot of cutting and redesign that would go into a engine swap like this into a production car, and would take some serious time and talent … but if done well, would result in one cool little car.

Not sure what the market would be for a V8 Volvo P1800 'kit car' ... but I bet Roger Moore would be interested in one ...


VClassics Interactive

[mdross1]

Also like the the Volvo P1800, we have owned Volvos over 10yrs and always will.Sure would make a neat little sleeper with say a 406" sbc.I worked with a guy that was doing Volvo V8 conversions on the side using then new GM crate motors.

[HealeyRick]

Here's an interesting LS1 P1800 build I've been following: General Tech Volvo P1800 Project (Ls1 Pro-Touring Build, with body mods) I can't see that a kit P1800 kit car would be economically viable, though. Don't remember scores of guys drawing them in study hall and thinking "some day".

[mreid]

I always thought this would be a great project if only a rust free car was available. Fatman Fabrications makes front frame stubs for a wide variety of cars and I'll bet they have one that would fit and make the V8 conversion much easier. I used one on my '54 Studebaker project and it came out great.

..::FatmanFabrications::..

[kschoenefeld]

Actually, I was thinking of a kit like a FF Cobra kit with aftermarket fiberglass body that looked like an 1800, but did not depend on having a P1800 as a starting point. An alternative because you see so many Cobras... but few of the Volvos.

[SkipB]

I owned a P1800 while going to college years ago. Actually I swapped cars with my dad. He wouldn't let me drive the 1200 miles to college in a VW. The P1800 was a great cruiser and very comfortable. As for the looks? I didn't think it was very attractive. But, I was in college and a Volvo was not something too many young guys drove. Ironically, there was another one on campus that had custom wheels and perhaps the first aftermarket tinted windows I had ever seen. The owner had plans to drop a Chevy V8 in it when he could afford it. Apparently there was someone in Oceanside California that did this kind of engine swap. Their specialty was V8 conversions of Jaguar XJ sedans. I wonder if the guy ever did the sway? The P1800 could really use the extra power!

SkipB

[marcocsx3121]

Not to be a smartass, but isn't it P1800?

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by marcocsx3121

Not to be a smartass, but isn't it P1800?

You are correct, it is the P1800 ... perhaps the OP made a typo?

That being said the cars came initially with the B18 motor, later cars (starting around 1969) had the B20. So one could see it's an easy mistake to make.

[SkipB]

You know, actually I think it was a P1800S. I am not sure what the S was for.

SkipB

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by HealeyRick

I can't see that a kit P1800 kit car would be economically viable, though. Don't remember scores of guys drawing them in study hall and thinking "some day".

That's what ran through my mind when I read the OP's question. I mean, for a Volvo it's a cool looking car but for me it doesn't even come close to real "sportscar" status.

[Tom Wells]

Actually....


Koenigsegg engineer building modern-day Volvo P1800

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by SkipB

You know, actually I think it was a P1800S. I am not sure what the S was for.

SkipB

In general terms Volvo used the S to denote dual carburetor cars and E for fuel injection cars (as is the 140 series for example ... 144S dual SUs, 144E Bosch EFI).


For the P1800 from what I understand ...

P1800 - Early cars built by Jensen
P1800S - Production moved to Sweden ... hence the 'S' was added
P1800E - Fuel injection
P1800ES - The 'station wagon' version

[BAsque1]

I just sold my 123 GT 1967 Volvo Amazon after a recent crab upgrade and exhaust which brought it to 200 hp in a B-20 engine. That said, although I am a proponent of V* conversions there are great outfits that can maximize a B-20 to a serious HP range. One of the engines (V8) most commonly installed in Volvos is the small Buick I belive is the 225 and the Ford 260 V8 ( as s Sunbeam Tiger)
I love Volvos.
Basque 1

[HealeyRick]

Best looking P1800 ever:



Movie car Ferrari Lusso built for "Tower Heist" from a P1800

Here's the story:

https://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338435