This wicked 1966 Volvo P1800 Hot Rod didn't start out life as a flamethrowing, purple Chevy eater.
As a matter of fact, it was quite a bit more "saintly". Originally delivered into upstate NY. It was driven regularly in that area by a young lady. One day, the car stopped running and from the sounds of it, she was told the engine was seized and so she brought it to the junk yard.
Then, the person who built this monster, who had seen this car in that junk yard for years, asked the junk yard owner "How Much for that cute Volvo?" The junk man said, "Ahh, give me 400 bucks". Sold.
The car was dragged home on a hook and when it was getting let down, the builder noticed the car bucking a bit as it rolled in gear. He grabbed the fan belt and pressed and turned and sure enough, the engine turned. He grabbed a battery, squirted some gas in the carbs and she started!
He changed the oil, slapped a repair plate on the car and drove it for a while every now and then. before he could decide what he was going to do with the car, someone bet him he couldn't wedge a V8 into her... he won the bet.
He sourced and built a Ford 302, said it was cammed a bit, headers were added along with dual quads, dual exhaust (with an AutoLoc flame thrower kit), a Ford C6 auto transmission, a four core aluminum radiator, Wilwood calipers, the original Volvo Spicer rear differential was completely rebuilt and regeared. It's running Big and Little tire combination, of BFG Radial T/A 195/70/R14's in front and BFG Radial T/A 225/70/R14's in the rear.
On the interior, black velour was the fabric de-jour and the Honda seats were recovered in it. The original door cards, dash and headliner were kept.
Carpet and insulation was installed to hide the fact the firewall and trans tunnel had to be modified to fit the V8 and try and help to alleviate some of the heat given off by the engine, just inches away.
Before all that was completed, the car was painted in a copper tone over the original Light Blue/ Horizon Blue. Unhappy with that color, he repainted the car in the as seen pearl white over metallic purple.
With the car completed, he took it out to several local shows where it was a great hit. This was 2 decades before the green Hot Wheels "Ain't No Saint" gasser P1800 arrived on the scene.
After having his fun, he sold the car on to the family that now, currently owns the car. That was nearly 20 years ago.
The man who bought the car thoroughly enjoyed this crazy hot rod Volvo and really drove her hard. But he kept her in very clean, solid condition. Unfortunately, he passed away recently and the family is now selling the car.
The body and paint are still in very good condition. It is rust and rot free. odometer shows 81,876 miles but there are less than 10,000 miles on the car since the build.
When cold, she fires up easily, pulls pretty solid oil pressure and has an awesome sound. Regrettably, he loved to fire off the flamethrowers and the use of them can damage engine internals. When the engine warms up, the oil pressure drops and a slight knock can be heard. The day I was on site was very hot and humid and when warm, the rear carb was loading up and she didn't want to drive very easily. Never mind the fact brakes work but have very little throw in the pedal and didn't feel secure, so there is no driving video.
Can't say for sure what the issues are. If nothing else, she's a great base for a stock restoration and the builder still has the original engine and transmission that came out of the car. They are several hundred miles away from the car but if someone wanted to, arrangements could be made to purchase the engine and trans.
Because this is a custom, hot rod build, putting a value can be difficult.
The family hopes that the next owner will love the car as much as their family member did.
The asking price is $11,000.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, for many more photos, to set up a time to see her in person or to make an offer.
Thanks for the interest.