It needs work, but I got it pretty cheap. The car is amazingly straight and rust free (less surface rust). I bought it from pictures over the interwebs and my faith in humanity has been restored since I didn't get screwed on the deal.
It does start up and drive, but I think the clutch master/slave need R&R. Interior is shot and needs a new headliner. Needs little things here and there too.
Nice score!
And keep those Calif. black tags too!
My suggestion: Keep it as close to stock as you can. Or try to keep all improvements and updates easily reversible. In my view, these cars are best when they are unmolested.
I rememeber many rides up to Watkins Glen in a grey 122S in the late 60s. Good times!
Great score! Gotta love the Amazon wagons!
Per Schroeder
Technical Editor/Advertising Director
4/22/09 10:06 a.m.
Me covet. I would polish and wax what was left of that paint and leave it. Love that patina.
The perfect size hauler. Yes, it should remain as stock as possible but check out the ipd catalog for all the parts necessary to increase displacement (2L would be nice) and install a more modern cam profile.
Megasquirt anyone?
Ian F
Reader
4/22/09 12:28 p.m.
Jerry From LA wrote:
Megasquirt anyone?
Smacks Jerry on top of the head with a rolled up SU tuning manual...
NO! Keep the carbs!
Jerry From LA wrote:
Yes, it should remain as stock as possible but check out the ipd catalog for all the parts necessary to increase displacement (2L would be nice) and install a more modern cam profile.
The 2L kit for B18 is a really bad idea for any number of reasons. The iPd cams are the Isky VV61 and VV71, and are no more modern than the stock Volvo cams.
How Not to Build a Motor
I do a lot of business with iPd, but not everything they sell makes sense.
GSCReno
New Reader
4/22/09 2:57 p.m.
Congrats, Kapt.! I'm jealous too. I'm with Per, give 'er a good cleaning, slap on some Panasports and call it good. Cheers, Scott
Gary
Reader
4/22/09 3:14 p.m.
Fantastic! Great purchase, Kaptain. I love vintage Volvos. I pretty much agree about leaving the patina. That gives it character. But for the wheels ... maybe remove the hubcaps and treat the wheels to a fresh coat of silver paint.
Thanks guys!
I promised the wife I'd paint it as quickly as I could, so I will be sanding/priming/etc.. for the next several nights/weekend.
I'd love a set of torque thrusts on it, but those are a bit over budget at this time. Right now, its about paint, brakes, clutch and then suspension.
GSCReno
New Reader
4/23/09 1:01 a.m.
Okay, that rips it! I'm gonna go see Sean on Saturday and ask him to sell me my '66 122s back. Shoulda never sold it in the first place. And when the wife starts flippin' out, I'll just blame Kapt., Per and Vclassics for it. You guys won't mind, will ya??? Cheers, Scott
Nashco
SuperDork
4/23/09 1:02 a.m.
I'm glad you found what you were looking for; I agree that patina is pretty cool. It looks like yours is the same (or similar) color to our daily driver. We really like the color, similar to many old cars these cars wear the faded pastels well. Yours even came with hippy stickers like ours, too! Fortunately, ours were all on the chrome and glass so they cleaned up very easily. I see you've got all your hubcaps still, those things must hold on great because ours are still all there too (for both cars).
We just got our "parts car" 122 wagon up and running on the Weber this weekend and we've been getting it ready to sell this weekend. I take it you're not interested anymore?
Bryce
Bryce,
I am "hopefully" taking the car to the shop tonight to get a good look all around. Put her up on a lift, poke, prod & cajole and see what's going on.
So I wouldn't rule out that parts car yet. But chances are, I will just be looking for parts.
Thanks!
Joe
Nashco
SuperDork
4/23/09 11:53 a.m.
bikesnrovers wrote:
Byrce, where ya located?
Portland, OR. It looks like you're in WI; if you're interested, I've got a buddy driving an S10 from here to Detroit (he wanted a rust free first gen) in the next few weeks who might be willing to pull it on a tow dolly for a fee (gas+dolly rental?).
I need to finish getting it driveable now that it's up and running again (old SUs were in desperate need of a rebuild and the clutch slave needed rebuilt). It's been sitting for a while so still needs a bit of attention. We removed a bunch of previous wiring hacks (fog lights, aftermarket coil, etc.) and are trying to get it returned to stock as much as possible; unfortunately, the bottom half of the rear seat is missing and we haven't been able to find a replacement yet. Next up is a good thorough cleaning, nut and bolt check, brake inspection/adjustment, etc. The paint is really rough (two colors of spray primer covering previous surface rust) but the bottom side is solid, actually in better shape than our daily driver.
It's been really enjoyable bringing the pair of Amazons from a "short trip car and a parts car" to a reliable daily driver and a revived runner. We both like the character of the Amazon a lot and it's very straightforward to work on. Being a few miles from the IPD headquarters has also been a nice perk, it'd be even better if they actually stocked stuff in house.
Bryce