Vintage Car Repair
 

I'm considering buying a 50 year old Volvo P-1800...does anyone have any suggestions for a mechanic locally that I could rely on? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Oh does that bring back memories, back in high school days I helped a friend with one of these, however that was back in PA. Sorry I have on ideas for this area. Hope someone else can provide a lead. If you were buying an old Mustang I could help, I have rebuilt 8 so far.

My lesson learned is that if you're not working on these cars yourself, stay away.

If you're lucky enough to find a local mechanic they usually put these cars at the bottom of the priority list since there's not much money in it for them. So you could end up waiting a long time for repairs.

Another issue is mechanics and shops come and go so just when you find a good one, next thing you know they move on.

Maybe an option, I'd give them a call and tell them what you're getting and see what they say:

Volvo Service and Repair - PALS Ocala Auto Repair

One of the posters brought up an interesting point, are you (OP) willing to do some of the work? If so, then you may get people from the vintage car club, etc., to help with advice and possibly showing you how to do something. I have done just about everything on rebuilding antique Mustangs, except automatic transmissions and convertible tops. This includes welding in new body panels, rebuilding engines, complete rewiring, new brakes, etc., but not interested in doing a car for someone else. My current project has about 2300 hours in it. If you are wiling to get your hands greasy, let me know, I may be able to help you.

Just my opinion, as I have owned many classics and hot rods, including German and English. If I couldn’t do the work on the Volvo or had a really close friend to help me then I would not buy the vehicle. Only if a sentimental vehicle or one I really would love to have would I consider. I have seen headaches from some of these vehicles and seen a lot more money spent after the purchase then was in the plan. Today, a vehicle that’s not straight and running well could be costly. Another thought is to find a classic car mechanic who knows that vehicle, and see if the owner would agree to let you take the car to the mechanic. The mechanic shop normally will charge you between $40 and $100 dol. Often that is money well spent just to check it out on the rack from bumper to bumper and a short drive. They then can assess the vehicle and tell you it’s ready to go or you can write down all that needs to be done and get an estimate. Everything may not be found but a great mechanic is a great value. Sorry to be long but I have had a lot of experience and just throwing in my two cents

The Cech brothers in Orlando and the best Volvo specialists in the state and maybe the southeast. They aren't expensive either. If you have a vintage Volvo; you definitely need them. Do a search.

are the best

Is this going to be your only vehicle for transportation or a second car to drive occasionally or to take to shows? In today’s world getting parts for that car is probably more of an issue than finding someone to tinker with it.

Need Mechanic
 

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I also need some help with my 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV2000 and 1981 Triumph TR8. I have garage, lift, and tools.
taruffi57@aol.com

A 50yo Volvo? Jeez the parts…..

Do not buy.
If you cannot work on it.
Money pit.

Oh jeeps TOTV moderators.
this post was so far off topic.
Grow some

It would be a second or occasional car. I hear parts are not an issue.

Thanks for the replies...

There is a place in Leesburg that works on foreign auto only on 44. Go straight at the signal instead of turning to the right. It’s on left side.

If you can't maintain it you may want to reconsider. But I have always wanted one of those.

Autobahn in Ocala is good not sure if they know Volvo.

Had one 40 years ago. VERY hot while driving-not good in FL heat.

There's like a hundred you described!

Off topic? This is more on topic than many posts here.

Andre is right. Cost more to fix it than to buy one already "fixed".

Skip

Try Accu-Tech on 301 just south of 466

Just wondering
 

I like vintage cars but wondering, an old Volvo???? If brings back memories perhaps you could share.

Good info, however..
Consider the cost of towing it to Orlando if (when) it breaks down...

I concur....if YOU can't/don't have the experience to wrench on your classic yourself, I'd look for another hobby...

JMHO...
Your mileage may vary...

They make excellent paper weights

IMO, if you have no mechanical ability I would think again? Pre-90s and especially 70’s old cars require lots of preventive maintenance from well rounded mechanic. Though by today’s standards fairly simple, but still require knowledge. If you have to pay for that knowledge it can get pretty expensive.

I agree completely, but they are so much easier to work on, I hate trying to work on a new car.......

Call AG (all German) in Leesburg. They probably don't work on them but will know does. I did it for a SAAB I was considering and they got me pointed in the right direction. Ask both about parts.

I would trust Sume Tire South. Great mechanics

Agree! If you have skill. How many today would even know what dwell angle is, or how to adjust crack opening on carburetor? I use to be motorcraft/autolite master. Easiest carburetor I ever rebuilt was autolite 2100 and 4100s. Qudrajets and Carter’s require bending of adjustment rods to get choke right. A real pain!

Any new car now if you even think of working on it you have to have scan tool. Even if you got scan tool you have to be able to figure out how to use it. Just another layer of knowledge you have to have IMO.:)

Volvo memories
 

1963 pv 544 Volvo first car and it was great couldn't kill it I've had 10 Volvo's since then..
I think the Guiness world record for the most miles on a passenger car is a P 1800

Good luck

https://www.hotcars.com/15-cars-with...ever-recorded/

I’m surprised, being majority mileage don’t register over 100K miles. So verified documents would have to come into play.

Still have my Sun Pro Tune Up Kit even though I swapped the dual point distributor in the Plymouth to Electronic Ignition 40 years ago! Rebuilt a few carbs in my time, never cared for it much as the metal in most old carbs was junk to begin with and only got worse with age.

I found that only the throttle plate bushings would wear out causing vacuum leak. Everything else was rebuildable. I had dual points in my 69 GTX which was in early 70’s.

Thanks again for all the responses..

My first car was a P1800...was in college then! It got me home after many a party!

Google, "most miles on a car". It was a P1800. Some guy in NY went 3 million miles on his car -- his clutch lasted more than 400K!

I do agree they are hot. AC's on those don't work that great. Very simple to work on. Imperative to get one of the later ones that had Fuel Injection, not carbs.

Passed on the last one, looking at another one now! Will check with Cech Bros. Thanks a lot.