Never owned a Volvo or even considered buying one but this car has been dropped on my lap for about $12 K if I want it. The seller has had some bad misfortune reluctantly selling and said I can have first offer. I will pay his full price. Has a legitimate documented rally pedigre with modified period correct engine and suspension mods but has been restored with what looks like a fair amount of bondo, but really pretty in robin egg blue. They only made about 1500 123 GT's from what I understand so they must be worth more than the standard Amazon which they made a half million of or so.
The car is in a clustered unheated garage so I can't get a good look at it until spring. Want to learn a bit about these cars before pulling the trigger and figure this forum is as good as any to begin my research. I understand its a uni body but they were as tough as tanks.
So what should I look for on inspection. What about availability of parts? What sources are there in North America or would I have to order everything from Sweden? Any source recommendations would be very much appreciated.
Thanks very much in advance for your help.
I’m no Volvo guru but there are people here who are. Good luck in your quest. I’ve only ever seen one and it was owned by a tech at a nearby Volvo dealership when wifey and I were test drives cars.
Rust, and scarce GT parts are probably the two biggest concerns. Volvo still has some stuff, but not a lot. There is an outfit from Denmark?? That has an outlet in the Carolinas somewhere that has a bunch of stuff. VP parts, maybe? I will look it up and confirm.
The 123 was cool. Amazon's were better than the 544, I think, although they share a lot of parts. By 69 it should have a B20 and alternator, I think.
Vpautoparts.com. IPD has moved on from the rwd Volvo's, mostly. Amazon's for sure.
TR8owner said:
but has been restored with what looks like a fair amount of bondo,
This would be my biggest worry - just how much bondo is there, and was it used just to fill in dents or is it covering up rust holes.
jdoc90
New Reader
2/11/18 11:47 a.m.
Sheet metal is cheap ,welders are also cheap now , rarity is usually not cheap. The amazon is a bullet proof tank of a car , infinitely adaptable , cheap to maintain , easy to work on , it is kind of the swedish model T . only trim would be a bit of a search and with 3d printing , thats not a big deal now really . I would love an amazon . and i would stick a 20 valve turbo volvo 5 under the bonnet . light weight , big power = fun.
