BODY PROBLEM AREAS

The Volvo 1800 has one major problem RUST!! Thorough inspection is therefore absolutely vital before you commit yourself to the purchase of a particular vehicle. Rust affects many areas of the 1800 and repair can be extremely expensive. Repair panels for most areas that commonly rust are available through the Volvo Enthusiasts Club’s Spares Service. Major Body panels are still available from Volvo but are expensive and can again be supplied by the Club, however some panels are difficult to find e.g. front panel and rear panel for 1800ES. The Volvo Enthusiasts Club is able to help locate difficult and out of production parts, so give us a ring.

Front Wings:
Rust in the front wings is particularly expensive to repair. Starting at the front of wing, first inspect the areas around the headlight and sidelight. There should be a vertical seam (See Fig: 1) between the headlight and sidelight, which should continue below the sidelight almost horizontally out to the wheel arch, this is where the front panel and the front wing are joined’ This area is often filed when rust appears. The joint where the front wing and front panel joint on the top is hidden by lead loading. However sometimes bubbling can be found in the area if a line is drawn from the corner of the bonnet out to the headlight hole. Repair panels for the front area of the front wing and part of the front panel are available.

Looking now at the top of the wing check for any rust bubbles. If you look under the wing above the wheel you will see a chassis member which runs along the inner wing from the headlight bowl to the bulkhead. This chassis members is very prone to rust but more importantly when the 1800 was produced foam was inserted above this member to stop drumming between this and the wing above. The foam holds moisture and rots the wing from the underside. This foam should be removed if still in place and the area between the top of the chassis members and the lower side of the wing should be regularly filled with Waxoil or a similar product. Any signs of rust therefore on the tops of the wings are generally very bad news.

The rear lower section of the front wing is also very prone to rust. To the rear of the front wheel, under the wing, is a ‘splash plate’, which is bolted down the inner edge to the inner wing/bulkhead and sealed to the wing on the outer edge by a rubber seal. Mud etc gets trapped behind this plate causing the bottom of the wing to rust away and also the splash plate and footwell. Both the Splash plate and a repair section for the lower front wing are available. (See list of Repair Panels available)

Full replacement of the front wing can be a major operation requiring the removal of the windscreen, as part of the lip on which the windscreen fits is part of the front wing.


Also both where the front wing meets the front panel at the front of the car and where it meets the scuttle below the windscreen are lead loaded. Polyester filler should not be used here, as the areas are prone to flexing when the car is used. Filler will therefore crack, so any signs of cracking in this area could mean that wings have not been fitted correctly if they have been replaced. Another problem is fit. All 1800 were very much hand built and hence replacement panels require a lot of work to fit, particularly with getting correct gaps along bonnet edge and front of door. If at all possible it is best to repair wings rather than replace, particularly as front wings are becoming difficult and expensive to obtain.

Front Panel or ‘Nosecone’:
Rust attacks this area of all models, particularly around the head and side light, which along with the wing forms the light apertures. Also check the inner nosecone behind the grille and also the lower valance around the bumper mountings and the lower edge. This panel is no longer available and due to the condition of the original press tool may not be remanufactured in the future. If the car you choose needs a front panel it is always worth contacting us we may still be able to locate one for you.