September 2012 / September 2020: 8 years with the Volvo P 1800E.

Sep 26, 2020,02:04 AM
 

Time flies... I have the feeling it was yesterday, the day I picked my Volvo P 1800E near Amsterdam, on the 21st of September 2012. 




Since then, I have made 50 000 Kilometers with it. I went to Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Belgium, and the Netherlands with it. I traveled almost everywhere in France, with it. 

I had my share of issues... For example, when I left the seller, after 30 minutes, there was a good old strong rain, on the road. Where are the wipers? Aaah, here they are... Damn, they don't work. With Filip, we found the fuses, and changed the one which didn't work. Good. 

The brakes? The brake assistance system had to be changed. 8 months to wait before finding one. During these 8 months, I had some serious gym sessions pushing the brake pedal. Good for health. 

The fuel pump was more problematic. It didn't work in my parking, on the second floor. The access to my parking with a truck is impossible. I had to find the time and the solution to solve that issue. Without a working fuel pump, it is impossible to start your engine. 6 more months to repair it. 

The water pump was replaced, without problems. 

So, for a 50 years old car, no big issues. 

But I have more often lived funny moments: Once or twice a month, I found a sticker or a business card on the car, offering me to buy the car. One came from a very well known gentleman, another from a... Policeman, and one from the director of a production company ( films, videos, clips ). 

I have been controlled by the Police many times, each time without fine, but just for a good discussion about the car. 

Once I even parked " widely " at Roissy Charles De Gaulle Airport to take a friend, and the Customs Officers fined everybody' cars except mine. They were turning around it, taking some selfies with the car. wink 

Some delicious moments, when you match the car with the place. 

In Paris, with a nice Porsche 911 E: 


In Croatia,






In Italy,


Normandy: 






Les Chateaux de la Loire. Beaugency: 


In southern France, 


In Belgium: 









In Switzerland: 


Driving a vintage car like this is a special experience. You don't move from A point to B point, you travel. A kind of time capsule, with a lot of charm, sensations, perfumes, melodies... Ok, you don't have all these electronic gadgets / tools, but this is the car which was meant to be driven, not meant to drive its driver. wink


8 years, it is a good and important slice of life with its good and bad moments. But at least it was always present, ready to offer some pleasant or vital escapes to me.

I never had a car for such a long time, and I don't see myself selling it. 







Best,

Nicolas


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Just fabulous experience..

 
 By: Pun : September 26th, 2020-02:21
I envy you and your car! 😘 Thanks for sharing. Regards

My big pleasure, Dirk. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-03:51

what a fabulous classic! 😍

 
 By: terbaboom : September 26th, 2020-02:36
thanks for sharing the photos of your beautiful car and the story of your ownership

Merci, mon ami. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-03:52

It is a really cool car you have there my friend

 
 By: Jocke - Bad Santa : September 26th, 2020-02:36
I have drive a few ones but never own one. I love the design and the "simple" like Rolex design of the engine and gearbox that is a real workhorse. The only I don't like at your car is the side lights I guess is for the US market. We don't have those in S... 

Side lights

 
 By: Weems@8 : September 26th, 2020-03:46
Handy lights to protect sheet metal. The only thing i do not like is the orange color. Orange lights on cars replaced throughout the years by white/clear. I am very happy about it. ...  

8 years 😳

 
 By: bimbeano : September 26th, 2020-02:37
Time flies mon ami. A very nice description of your adventures, i still remember the drive from Brussels to SHIEPPOL and PAARIESCHJJJ 🤣. I can imagine you feel a lot younger when driving the P1800 , you’re such a child anyway 😁. Always welcome, room enoug... 

Also working on a project here ....

 
 By: bimbeano : September 28th, 2020-13:53
... involves driving roads and something very very cool 😬😅

2 or 4 wheels? [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 28th, 2020-23:12

Both !

 
 By: bimbeano : September 29th, 2020-13:15
Actually no wheels, more like ..... a place .... where the roads are insane and nature is everywhere.

In... Belgium??? [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 29th, 2020-14:18

Just 😄 [nt]

 
 By: bimbeano : September 29th, 2020-15:08

You are for sure a great storyteller

 
 By: Pelle_thorstenson : September 26th, 2020-02:53
and on top of that you always add nice pictures. Regarding your P1800 dont you think you should take her on a trip to Sweden in order for her to hear her native language once more before it is too late?!

A fantastic story about a beautiful car .

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : September 26th, 2020-03:15
A car with lot’s of history and nothing (no modern car)beats driving (travelling) with it . Thanks for sharing your experience with this amazing and elegant car my friend. I hope it will brings you many more years of joy and happiness

Style is the manner of expression

 
 By: Uncle Chico : September 26th, 2020-03:17
And you have it in abundance. It's not the destination, it's the journey that counts. You travel in style.

Nice car

 
 By: Passionata_george : September 26th, 2020-03:26
and great experiences!

Old cars are a passion

 
 By: JLCman : September 26th, 2020-03:32
Sharing years and years with them you develop a quite nice distance to a world which always seems to be in a hurry. At least that‘s my experience with my two oldies, a 1978 Jag XJ6 and a 1986 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible. And I love your P1800 of course. It... 

Impressive story and pictures

 
 By: Weems@8 : September 26th, 2020-03:36
On one picture you post, is a Honda at the background. (Honda Insight) 8 years with a vintage car, a milestone. My current car i bought in Amsterdam, 5 years ago. I had my purple Honda for 9 years. Amazing story, you buy your vintage car in Amsterdam. Yes...  

Merci, Weems. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-07:44

Good to read and see that it is no garage queen

 
 By: penfriend : September 26th, 2020-03:59
Too many people don't use their toys (cars, watches, pens) for being afraid to ruin the value. The most personal value comes through usage imho - so you did very well in terms of value gain!!!

Thank you so much, orahu. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-07:45

Splendid photo essay of a beautiful vintage car dear Nico

 
 By: KamalRostov : September 26th, 2020-04:39
Thank you for sharing her with us and all her anecdotes. You are very right about driving point A to point B. It’s more of the pleasure in the drive and in driving her. I wish you many many more good years of pleasurable drives with her and many more stor... 

Thank you sharing this story, what a trip... I can perfectly feel your bound.

 
 By: PoyFR : September 26th, 2020-04:59
Superbe photos and places. Now what's story with the brunette ? RMLOL

What a road book, my friend !.. And what a splendid Vintage car.. Thx for sharing these pics, crossing countries, cities, and maybe..

 
 By: hs111 : September 26th, 2020-05:04
.. different people as well.. Your post to me confirms,, that „The journey is the reward“.. Happy for you, my friend and enjoy that Volvo P1800E furtheron in the times and trips for the very Best of your health ! Best, hs

It is great to read the bond between the two of you.

 
 By: ZSHSZ : September 26th, 2020-05:06
Can’t wait to read the new memories next year!

Superb classic ! [nt]

 
 By: Alfihar : September 26th, 2020-06:24

Thanks, Alifhar. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-09:53

That's it. Merci, Echi. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-09:53

Looks like Sid😉

 
 By: brauner : September 26th, 2020-08:16
...  

Damn you! ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-09:54

Sorry

 
 By: brauner : September 26th, 2020-10:28
But Sid would be a nice name for your car

Sid... Vicious? :)))) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-11:11

Take

 
 By: brauner : September 26th, 2020-12:55
El Cid

;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 28th, 2020-23:12

Beautiful car and great ownership story! Amazing how sleek it looks opposite that 911

 
 By: Fastwong : September 26th, 2020-08:19
What a great ownership experience with the car! With the constant hype stream of new cars, not unlike watches, everything is about the hottest new thing rather than actual experience of the thing in our lives. The guy who drove his mercedes gwagon around ... 

Sweet! I like old, and even older, Volvo style

 
 By: oyster case : September 26th, 2020-10:42
...  

Wonderful! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 26th, 2020-11:11

a classic you've got my friend...

 
 By: mahesh : September 26th, 2020-11:41
it has become more a piece of your heart than few good moments ! enjoy...La vita e bella !! Best, mahesh.,

Take care of it..

 
 By: . Anders : September 26th, 2020-13:12
Fantastic car you have. I saw many of these 40 years ago in Sweden but they are now very few. It's a car to take care of, just like you do

Beautiful car you have amigo mío!

 
 By: renerod : September 30th, 2020-17:32
His is the handling in curvy roads? Does it feel heavy? Is it nimble and fast? Does suspension let you feel the road? Best. René

Then it is a back wheel slider!!!

 
 By: renerod : October 3rd, 2020-12:58
I love the screeching sound on curvy roads! Best. René

That's it! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 3rd, 2020-15:31

Awesome car - Great post - thx [nt]

 
 By: hans_jorgen_1968 : October 4th, 2020-11:10

Volvo Memories

 
 By: cazalea : October 6th, 2020-12:31
You are lucky to own this today, when photos are an every-moment thing. I had my first Volvo, a 122S for about 10 years. We named him Victor. We drove it on our honeymoon back in 1975... And here's a photo in my work parking lot around 1980 or so. But aft...  

Beautiful!

 
 By: big daddy : October 17th, 2020-19:48
Love the story Nicholas and I am glad the P1800 gives you such joy.

The way you describe the feelings inside the car...

 
 By: moc : October 17th, 2020-22:12
Is exactly the way I feel. Congratulations on your baby it’s stunning Nico. Mo

Which one?😜😜😜

 
 By: moc : October 18th, 2020-06:10
..

You sure??? ;) [nt]

 
 By: KamalRostov : October 20th, 2020-06:21

Ahem.... ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 20th, 2020-14:03

Fantastic post

 
 By: Mostel : October 25th, 2020-15:23
So personal. What collecting and being a human being is all about.

built to drive !!

 
 By: psfparis : October 26th, 2020-03:22
8y/50.000km not that bad. still a lovely car