Volvo P1800 Buying Advice

[64PW]

I'm considering P1800's but at 6'4'' tall i'm concerned that the driving position might be a bit of a squeeze! I'm sure i could use a smaller aftermarket steering wheel, which would help, but if there's not enough headroom, probably a non starter.

Anyone my height got one?

Anyone near Leeds/Wetherby got one that they could let me sit in? Could save me the 4 hour round trip to look at one.

Thanks in advance.

[SS427 Camaro]

6 2 plus quiff and he fitted.

[Turbobanana]

64PW said:

I'm considering P1800's but at 6'4'' tall i'm concerned that the driving position might be a bit of a squeeze! I'm sure i could use a smaller aftermarket steering wheel, which would help, but if there's not enough headroom, probably a non starter.

Anyone my height got one?

Anyone near Leeds/Wetherby got one that they could let me sit in? Could save me the 4 hour round trip to look at one.

Thanks in advance.

I've only ever driven one, and it was many years ago, but at 6'1" I had no problems. My abiding memory was of extremely heavy steering - it might be that the one I tried had a problem, or low tyre pressures, but I'd want to check that before I started reducing steering wheel size.

[vixen1700]

Here's my old one, picture taken in Spring 1993.

They are absolutely lovely old things to drive, a little heavy on the steering as mentioned but only really noticeable when it came to parking. A complete difference to my Amazon surprisingly.

Most parts are available from Brookhouse Volvo in Suffolk. They also stock the widened standard steel wheels which gives it a far nicer stance (imho) rather than the standards with 165 tyres. 195s Can then be fitted.

As far as height goes, I don't think you'll find it too much of a problem, I'm 6' and it never entered my mind as a problem.

Go for it!

[BA11AGO]

I had an 1800es which might have had a little more headroom. Obviously, being the estate, the roof doesn't curve down in the way the coupe does but I'm not sure it made a big difference for the driver.

Steering is heavy by modern standards but if it's an issue for you then fitting one of the aftermarket electrical PAS systems shouldn't be too difficult or costly.

My biggest gripe was noise at motorway speeds. I'd regularly do a 250 mile trip, mainly on the M6 and M1, I really needed to use ear defenders.

Driving position was pretty comfortable.

[Skyedriver]

Bought an 1800ES about a month ago, see Readers Cars - Ingrid.

I'd say plenty of headroom although I'm about 5'11".

Steering is heavy at parking speeds, some fit electric PAS either from another vehicle OR a one made for the car BUT BEWARE, the steering under pinings aren't the strongest and weren't made for PAS.

185x70x15 tyre were standard but on the shelves next to Unicorns. 185x65x15 the tyre size of choice on steel wheels. Some fit alloys, either "Minilites" or ones off a 240. Some cars came with alloys but they're a steel rim bolted to an alloy centre and folk tend to use tubes in these.

You'll find the steel thickness akin to stuff used for the Tyne Bridge! They do rust though, floors, arches, outriggers. Doors shut with a resounding klunk.

Most parts available from Brookhouse or Skandix or Scancar.

Lot of wind noise at 60mph, on mine I'm about to replace door seals but the car has a sunroof so the din may come from there.

Autobox is a BW35, strong but not known for their sporting behaviour. I'm going to investigate a conversion to a later auto or manual. 3500rpm at 60mph IIRC.

Let me know how you get on, there's a regularly attended Owners Club Forum page and a couple of FB pages but these tend to be more for the USA.