Volvo 1800ES
ENGINE 1986cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 125bhp@5250rpm TORQUE 115lb ft@3000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 116mph 0-60MPH 11.3sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 24-30mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, three-speed automatic MoT Exempt ODOMETER 91,906 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The ageing selector track for the Borg-Warner auto ‘box needs a careful hand and ideally a bit of adjustment – reverse is tricky to find and the ‘D’ and ‘2’ positions are easily confused – but the transmission itself works well, with the car romping away and changing gear as it should. It’s more leisurely once in top; the weighty steering and body roll dissuade you from flinging it through bends like a Lotus. There’s more engine noise than expected – it might benefit from insulation on the floors or bulkhead – and the Webasto roof makes a noticeable ‘whoosh’ at 60mph or more. It stops as it should, though – straight and true.
BODYWORK CHECK
The black vinyl roof covering is in excellent shape bar small blisters at the top left-hand corner of the rear screen and under the offside quarter window. The panelwork is the car’s strongest point with a fine flow though those long side surfaces – not a ding or a wobble to be seen. Lower down, there is some overspray on the fuel tank adjacent to the rear valance, while much of the underside is covered in thick bituminous underseal, making it difficult to assess. The history suggests periodic work rather than a full, offthe-road restoration. The wheels show some flaking grey paint with smart rim-trims and Vredestein Sprint tyres that are starting to perish on the sidewalls. The chrome is generally very good.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The seats are very good – re-trimmed in blue leather in the front while the back seats may still be wearing their original vinyl. The elasticated door pockets are split and the carpets aren’t a great fit, the driver’s side being easy to kick away by mistake revealing a patch of flaky paint that’s allowed surface rust to form. The centre console moves around a bit when your left leg knocks against it and there’s a split in the corner of the headlining by the sunroof, which is a pity because the rest of it appears sound.
UNDER THE BONNET
It looks serviceable rather than smart under here, with no sign of any leaks or drips. The belts and loom look fine and there’s no moisture or gunge emanating from any joints around the radiator or cooling hoses. The brake fluid looks clean enough, as does the engine oil, which is so new that it’s hard to judge the level on the dipstick.
THE CCW VIEW
It’s a pleasant old thing, with the air of an original car maintained and repaired as needs be, rather than a tight, newly-restored example. We’d want the gear selection properly sorted before sale and the next owner could invest a bit in the interior. Incidentally, the car’s first owner was one Jimmy Tarbuck.