amanico
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9 years of pure pleasure: Volvo P1800E.
I never owned a car for such a long time! 9 years!
I just made 60, 000 kilometers with it. And the magic is still here, like the very first day I took the steering wheel.
Vintage cars can be a nightmare. This Volvo never let me down, on the road. Ok, I had to change some pieces, to repair the fuel and water pump, I had to find a solution for the brake assistance, but nothing really serious.
No, at the contrary, this good old P1800E ( 51 years old ) is a charm, a pleasure and a dream to drive.
I will not be able to tell you how many car drivers, pedestrians or bikers smiled when seeing this car.It is almost everyday.
Even the cops... When they control me, most of the time, it is to talk about the car. I never got a fine with it!
This car attracts sympathy, in an era where cars are not liked, most often accused of everything, from pollution to noise, without forgetting envy, jealousy... No, this one is a fantastic smile machine.
Ok, the P 1800E belongs to another era, when people knew what traveling meant. When cars were more adventures than just a tool to move from A to B point. When you needed some skill to drive them.
Here, no ABS, no steering wheel assistance, no ESP nor any kind of electronic assistance. You have to fight with the wheel, and as a good rear wheel drive, you have to be focused when the road is wet.
We are far, very far from modern cars, totally assisted, should I say... Asepticised?
Let's not forget the perfumes of fuel, leather and hot engine oil...
It is a totally different universe, for sure.
Another huge difference with modern cars is that you can see the hood of your vintage car. It is part of its character. And a feast for the eyes.
The word apart, in two pictures:
The last thing is that maintaining it will never kill your wallet. The tires? 60, 000 kilometers. I will have to change them very soon, but it is not a bad score.
The service? Around 200 and 300 Euros.
Spare parts? Well, no bad surprises, here. You will never go above 1000 Euros. Except if you have a big issue on the engine or gearbox, but that didn't happen to me.
When I told you.. This car is such a dream!
Long life to my P1800E.
Best,
Nicolas
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9 years of pure pleasure: Volvo P1800E.
I never owned a car for such a long time! 9 years! I just made 60, 000 kilometers with it. And the magic is still here, like the very first day I took the steering wheel. Vintage cars can be a nightmare. This Volvo never let me down, on the road. Ok, I ha...
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I love this design. I remember looking at these a decade ago, priced at 10k euro or less for some. Different priorities and a bit too young to get something like this, else I would have loved to have owned one. There is nothing like this.
If a reader was not a ācar personā before, then they surely will be after reading this top postā¦Bravo!
Honestly, reading through this poetic post makes one reflect on the present times, everything that has transpired over the past year and half, and the future unknowns. In the same moment, it transports one back to a time of wonder, adventure, and a differ...
Whenever I see a P1800 I wonder 'what if someone stretched it'
(correctly, not like this, but you might get the idea....): ...
That is a nice Ferrari, they had to get it right some time...
Volvo made one sports car and it's an absolute marvel.
it's the best Volvo ever
For me personally the only beautiful Volvo . The other one I like is V70 1st gen. Its a cool looking grocery getter
That one is also a beauty.
Personally I feel it is too flawless I like the 1st gen front view but adore the 2nd gen widebody fender
I can feel your love for your car in the write up.
You almost make owning it sound practical, but with a touch of romance. Lovely words for a lovely car.
What a great experienceā¦
Itās one of the reasons I moved primarily to the waterā¦.adventure! Especially on my supercharged jet skis. Selling my Z. Will probably (letās face it) have to move to EVā¦maybe a Tesla Plaid (which gulp I might have to āshareā with my wife or just maybe a ...
A wonderful write-up and tribute to the last of a certain āanalogā automotive experience.
And yes, I would definitely be one of those people to stop and smile at this little charmer.
Nice post Nicolas
Interesting how an older car can give us pleasure and create a bond not only with us but others too. To a lesser degree, my 2001 325i does this, in part because it has aged well, has a stick, and is simple in ways that new cars arenāt. Even more so for yo...
I love cars without any electronic assistance, indeed. At the point that I remove them on my Alpine, as well, as there is a possibility to remove the ESP on the Track program. You have more feeling, this way.
Enjoy your 325 I, it is a fantastic car, with a superb melody and which provides some great feeling.
You describe pleasures that have been stripped from the new cars and replaced with Air Bags, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Digital Display ... Z
With a vintage car you and the car have to work together to get from A to Z. Mess up and you might be in the ditch or walking with a gas can in your hand. Now the car does 90% of the work, helped by Big Brother at the factory, showroom, or licensing autho...
I know what you're talking about,
Because I have been driving a VW Transporter 1 and a fifty-year-old Mini Morris!!! Simply hope that who decides for us will let us keep those outlaw machines for a little more time! Enjoy it as much as you can Nicolas. Simone
Very well written
I can feel the passion, smell the fumes, and almost hear the engine.
Congrats.
I think there are still plenty of people out there who feel the same way about cars and driving and not being tracked and taxed. And Iām cautiously optimistic that our numbers are large enough to stop government from enacting mandates to the contrary. Fin...
she is even more amazing when you place her together with those modern cars
i can only yearn for the smell of leather, engine oil, sounds and vibration as your drove her.
those modern sport cars,
are different but somehow they look alike with continuous fluid line. IMHO beautiful but not stunning and lacking in character
Sincere Congrats !.. What a benchmark mileage ! I like so much its āanalogā character
As I also had the immense pleasure you once took me along with it within Paris, I do remember vividly how all this magic makes one indulge into a time-machine.. Continue to enjoy your signature treasure (a la Simon Templar) in the very best of your health...
Aahh.. The (already famous) Alpine A110.. With pleasure looking forward to it !..
In the meantime further happy tuning of it, as far as we could read. Best, hs
How I understand every word you sayā¦
I congratulate you on your beauty, and looking forward to your 10th anniversary and perhaps a soon together. Mo
Just browsing old car posts and came back to this one..
One thing i love about chrome trim from this era or maybe even til the 70s-80s is that it reminds me of fine bevels on a watch case. Those little things that help define the shape of a car
Huge congratulations,,
I can feel the love towards this beauty. Itās a great feeling. Mo
