The 1969 Volvo 1800S coupe owned by Charlie Licata.

The 1969 Volvo 1800S coupe owned by Charlie Licata. Credit: Handout

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER
1969 Volvo 1800S coupe owned by Charlie Licata

WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING
You don’t usually hear the words “Volvo” and “sports car” in the same sentence, except for the classic 1800 series coupes and sport wagons built from 1961 to 1973. Today, they are highly collectible, thanks in part to a starring role as the featured sports car in the 1960s television series, “The Saint,” with Roger Moore. And they are highly durable, as evidenced by a 1966 model owned by Patchogue’s Irv Gordon that’s expected to hit the three-million-mile mark sometime this year.

By comparison, Licata’s green 72,000-mile coupe, a family heirloom, is barely broken in. “The 1969 model year,” he says, “was the lowest production year – 1,700 units – and is unique in the aspect that it is the only year to have the larger two-liter engine with Zenith-Stromberg carburetors.”

HOW LONG HE’S OWNED IT
His father gave him the Volvo in October 2011.

WHERE HE FOUND IT
“It has been in the family since new,” Licata says. “My aunt was the original owner. My father purchased it from her husband in 1992.”

CONDITION
“The car is in very good condition,” he says. “It has been repainted and the front seats were redone. All the numbers match. It was converted to run on high-octane gas without the lead additive. Other than oil changes and routine maintenance, not much else has been done.”

TIPS FOR OWNERS
“The mechanicals of the vehicle are pretty bulletproof,” Licata advises. “Look for rust in the usual areas. They do enjoy being driven and they run better when taken for rides frequently.”

VALUE
Licata deems the car “priceless” and has insured it for $25,000.

THE BOTTOM LINE
“This car does have a great deal of sentimental value,” he says. “My aunt purchased the car after admiring my father’s 1968 1800S in the same color. They enjoyed driving both cars together until my dad sold his in 1970. When I was a teenager, I would polish the car for her when we visited and she would take me for a ride. When I got my license, she even let me drive it. I was 17 when she passed away and I was the last person to drive in the car with her. One of my sons will be its custodian after me.”
 

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