OK, I have my Dad's old 1965 Volvo P1800s that he bought new in 1965.

Over the years he kept it in excellent shape, until it was due its third engine rebuild. At that time he bought a Buick/Rover aluminum V8 and re-engineered it to put out gobs of horsepower. He kept the original Volvo transmission w/OD and the only thing that kept it from looking totally stock was the Packard hinges on the outside of the hood. No space in the engine compartment for hood hinges!

He drove it a couple of years, then put it into storage because he couldn't afford a new set of (Pirelli) tires every month or so.

As it sits now, the sun has destroyed the paint and tires, but everything else is in good condition.

As far as I know, it was started about 5 years ago (after sitting more than 10 years) and it sounded fine.

Here's where my friends on the BrickBoard come in; I want to put it back on the road, and since I'll be taking a lot of it apart to work on it, I'd like to see what ideas we can come up with to make it even more fun to drive.

My plan at this point is to go through all the mechanical systems and ensure they are working properly (I probably didn't even need to mention that...)
then rework the body so it looks as stock as possible.

I think the pitted and bubbled Packard hinges can go back on the Packard, and I'll install the new style hood pins that they use on 'drifter' cars.

Dad already removed the trunk lock and put a cable release inside the car. Of course, the cable broke the other day, so I have to find a very skinny person to help get the trunk open. I'll keep the cable release, because not only does it look good, it also makes the trunk a little more secure.

The interior isn't really bad as much as really dirty, so I was thinking of removing everything and installing an aluminum interior with plenty of sound deadening material.

Add good racing seats, 5-point belts, and a stainless steel roll cage system and I should be pretty much ready to go street driving or participate in vintage car racing (unlimited class) at Willow Springs Int'l Raceway not far from here.

What would you do with it if you had it? A straight restoration is too expensive, given that the engine has been changed already. Otherwise, please try not to spend too much of my money...

Steve in SoCal
Near Death Valley

1964 Volvo PV544
1965 Volvo P1800s
1967 Fiat Abarth 1000-OT Coupe
etc,