Miraculous recovery for donor car
Gordon Carlson didn't originally buy his 1956 Volvo PV 444 to drive it. The St. Charles resident wanted it for parts.
Carlson was living in Sweden during the 1960s and owned a nearly identical - although blue - 444. It was used regularly as his daily driver and in need of some fresh components.
A close friend had been awarded this maroon Volvo as a signing bonus from a basketball club that signed him. Carlson later purchased the vehicle from this basketball-playing friend. Parts from it were then used to return the blue 444 to tiptop shape.
Just prior to moving to the United States in 1968, Carlson sold his blue Volvo. His "parts" 444 was rolled into his mother-in-law's barn for storage. In 1984, she decided to sell the farm, prompting Carlson to take action.
He decided to ship the Volvo stateside. Carlson wanted to fix it up then, but just couldn't find the time. However, 25 years later, the opportunity finally arose. In 2010, a full restoration commenced.
Other than front fenders, all of the sheet metal is original. The overhaul was completed in 2012. Since then, Carlson has put the little 1.4-liter engine to good use. He's driven more than 8,000 miles, traveling to such places as Arkansas, Missouri and Michigan.
Carlson recently motored to the 2015 Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d'Elegance. The event was held Aug. 23 and showcased around 180 vehicles displayed along the lakefront in downtown Milwaukee. Carlson's Volvo garnered a first-place trophy in his division.
"It was always my dream to have this car properly restored," he said. "It just took a long time."
1971 Volvo P1800E Jona and Debra Chandler Goldschmidt, Chicago
Jona Chandler Goldschmidt couldn't have been happier cruising around the Chicago suburbs during the 1970s. He piloted a sporty 1971 Volvo P1800E.
"I thought it was the coolest car," the Chicago resident said. Even a minor collision couldn't slow him down. He had the vehicle repaired and was back on the road.
While motoring about, he laid eyes on a new set of wheels. "The 1978 Toyota Celica had just come out and I had to have it," Goldschmidt said. "I foolishly sold my Volvo."
Decades later in 2011, he came across an identical 1971 1800E for sale in Scottsdale, Arizona. "Everything was the same," said Goldschmidt. "I had to relive my youth."
It wasn't just the Safari Yellow paint, automatic transmission or black and chrome wheels that were a perfect match. This car had also been in a collision and repaired.
The Volvo had been sold new in Idaho and stored in a garage for many years. It was well preserved, only needing various seals and gaskets replaced after years of inactivity.
Goldschmidt also had the front seat padding replaced, which had sunken over time.
"It's a long distance highway car," Goldschmidt said. "The faster you drive, the better it performs."
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