I don’t know where the Volvo fits within American folklore, but here in Australia Volvo drivers tends to be the butt of quite a few jokes. The basic gist of these revolves around the theory that Volvo owners don’t so much drive as aim….badly! Having driven quite a number of these I have complete respect for these cars and feel that they are an often overlooked classic that people should examine closely. You will find this Amazon for sale here on eBay where it’s listed with no reserve.
The Amazon is an amazing car. In Sweden, they still see active duty in both rallies and rally-cross. This is because it is possible to extract quite good performance out of them, and they are notoriously long-lived and robust. This particular Amazon is a nice, honest looking example of the model. The panels appear to be straight and true. The paintwork is an older respray, and as you can see from this shot there is some peeling happening. The owner states that it is a rust-free California car, so things look pretty good for the new owner. As a point of reference regarding my respect for Volvos, before my elderly father decided to stop driving his last car was a 242GT. It was a wonderful car to drive, and the first time that I drove it the performance was well beyond what I expected.
The seller states that the seats do look a bit tired, but that the car sports new carpet and a new headliner. It does suffer from a very typical Volvo malady of sagging door pockets, but it is possible to rectify this with little effort. For me, unless I were considering a full restoration, I’d probably put some seat covers on the seats, fix the door pockets and leave it the way it is.
Under the hood is the bullet-proof little 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine, backed by a 4-speed transmission. The seller states that it starts right up, runs smoothly and that the transmission shifts nicely. He also states that it sports good brakes, newer tires (on wider wheels) and that it is well cared for. As I said before, these little engines are capable of quite sprightly performance which can belie both their age and their capacity.
Looking at the underside of the car seems to reinforce the claims made about this car. For a 53-year-old car, it looks really good under there. These can develop the occasional oil leak from the engine, but it all appears in order, and rust doesn’t seem to be an issue here.
Prices on the Amazon seem to vary quite widely. It seems that people who buy these aren’t your regular car enthusiasts, but people who specifically yearn for an Amazon. This one is for sale in a no reserve auction, so where the price goes is really an unknown quantity. I will say that if you are looking at buying something European and you are looking for a car that you can either enjoy as a daily driver or a weekend cruiser (and you don’t want to spend your precious spare time fiddling under the hood) then you could do a lot worse than to buy one of these.
See? This doesn’t make a lick of sense, and if it’s true, this the bargain of the century. $15,000 dollar ’71 Toyota wagons( sorry, that one still grinds my gears) and a $2,000 dollar 122??? Something not right here. Lately 122’s have gone off the scale, some in the 5 figure range. I don’t see an O/D, but these cruised ok without it. The B-18 motors were tough. I’m in no position to buy anything right now, but if this was in Colorado, I’d find a way. Get it before the flipper does!
BTW, being a Volvo lover, I’m a little taken back by the Aussies view of Volvo drivers. I didn’t quite get what Adam meant by “they don’t drive, they aim”. So far, that’s the only time I’ve ever heard anyone make fun of Volvo’s. Most, me included, consider vintage Volvo’s some of the best cars made. My 1st (drivable) car was a ’58 444 and later, a ’78 244. Dubbed “the car for people who think”. I guess some of our humor may seem odd to them, as well.
I’m with you, Howard. Volvos are nifty cars, only lightly splashed by the “leather elbow patches and pocket protector” jokes aimed mostly at Saab drivers.
Having driven a number of earlier Volvos and having experience with a 144 — including doing an engine rebuild — I’m impressed by them, and wouldn’t mind having an Amazon. I’d prefer a Duett, though, but those are thin on the ground.
The price looks reasonable, and leaves enough in hand to recover — and, most important, replace the padding on — the seats. I really dislike knackered seats. They’re worse than “patina” to me!
I apologize if the Aussie humor confused or offended you Howard A. It wasn’t intended to. It basically was meant to reflect that in Australian culture the stereotypical Volvo driver has little situational awareness, and that they point their car in the direction they wish to travel and drive with scant regard to lane markings, signage, other traffic, etc. Perhaps it was a piece of Aussie cultural humor that didn’t translate to your country. Once again, my apologies.
Regarding the cars themselves, I have nothing but total respect and admiration for them. The fact that the 122S is still competitive in Swedish motorsport after 50 years (and against significantly newer and more sophisticated opposition) speaks volumes for the engineering of them. The last car that my father owned was a 242GT. The first time that I drove it I was astounded. The 242 was not a light car, but the acceleration of the car astounded me and was well beyond what I would’ve expected for the car. I think that anyone who is considering buying an older car and doesn’t give an older Volvo due consideration is missing a golden opportunity. They are severely under-rated by some people….and that’s their loss.
Similar humor in Europe around the 70’s & 80’s
Its also been said in Australia that a Hat wearing driver is a Volvo driver,which I think is true.The majority of Volvo drivers I see are mainly older men.I agree with all the other commentators that the Volvo is a great car.Love this site which I visit daily,keep up the great work staff.
Actually, before I read your post, I was wondering why it got so high at $3,550, LOL!
You just have to understand the nature of the Volvo enthusiast. I hate to generalize but unlike Mazda enthusiasts they are extremely cheap. They will probably bid this up in quarters. As someone who owned and had to sell an older Volvo 850R Wagon, I know.
You must never have read “The Eiger Sanction”. The author goes into some detail as to how “Volvo bashing” (literally pounding the cars with one’s fists) is something of an international sport in Europe. The protagonist drives a Volvo and frequently “bashes” it.
I sure wanted to become one of those! Lost a sale after reaching an impasse over 100 bucks. I’m pretty sure the mid/late 1990s Volvo’s are the reason why Behr Hella created its el cheapo “Alternative” product line. Never again.
These cars, when rust isn’t an issue, are bulletproof. As for handling, there’s a reason they were summer and winter rally champions. GT models are just more of everything good. Any chucklehead that downputs these cars can’t know much about cars in general.
I have my 1967 Volvo since the day I bought it in 1967, 51 yrs ago. I have suspension, engine, wheels and tires mods plus I added a/c. My little “buddy” and I have been thru a lot.
I enjoyed mine since that day in 1967. Some modifications done to make it more enjoyable. One hundred thirty eight (138k) worth of fun.
Good Man, Jerry Sira….now thats a car worth buyng from you!
138k-kilometers, miles or dollars?
I saw the movie. Dont remember the whacking of the Volvo but then I forget a lot of things……..:)
I kind of get it. Those who buy a Volvo are fairly few and far between. But once you do, you get why people who have them love ’em. Up til then, they’re just quirky, low selling cars that not a lot of people paid attention to and they and their owners have that ‘nerdy’ stereotype – probably ’cause it’s hard to look ‘dangerous’ in a car known for it’s safety.
I agree with you rod444, especially regarding low sales. I don’t know how well Volvos sell in the USA, but they are really on the outer here in Australia. We have a population of 25 million people. Last year there were 1,000,000 new cars sold here (give or take a few). Of those sales Volvo only managed to sell 4,000 cars across its entire passenger vehicle range. It doesn’t make sense as they tend to be really nice to drive, are well equipped and seem to just go on forever.
I can find no fault in how this Australian 122 is aimed:
https://youtu.be/-0NZfHEpO5k
I feel the need….
The need for sweed!
My 15 yo son told me he wanted a 240 wagon I figured I’d never own a European car except a couple air cooled vdubs.
Anyways found a nice 240 wagon 5 speed cheap and we’re almost done the body we took all the trim off and filled all 96 holes that held everything in place.
I bought at 740 turbo intercooler that sideswiped a tree and threw that motor in,
It also came with an electric locker rear end.
Long story short I’m running 16 pounds boost and using it as my daily right now.
It rips along pretty good and I can’t believe how stout this thing is!
I’ve been reformed this is one of the best cars I’ve owned ,the doors close like a vault breaks and steering are great, I did the rear u joint and that’s it. Well other than the motor and rear end swap.
The 240 has 370k no rust at all and the turbo motor is at 320k and I can’t believe I haven’t blown the head off it yet!
It throws 3 gears of rubber down and I’m just waiting for something to break but so far so good
Best built car I’ve ever owned.
If I bought this car ,I would call Jerry, and make it just like his, and I have never really cared one way or the other ,about Volvos
That 122 is in really good shape. I learned to drive in a 65 Amazon after my dad and I restored it. It was tan with this color interior. I would love to own this car. it is at 4800 as i write this.
Man, nice car, in great shape.
Can be built to be very cool. Almost unbelievable for something so ugly to begin with….
These are great cars! This I know to be a fact! Especially the 1800E,love them had great memories in one exactly like this one except for it was a different color!
Jerry Seinfeld went for coffee with Kristin Wiig in one like this. Sweet little ride. (Kristen Wiig and the Volvo both).
desirable yes, better than any Toyota bland mobile.
Always like these….
Well explained, Adam … from one Aussie to another :-) And by the way, I’m enjoying your input to Barn Finds. Regards, Ken
Had the same year and model back in the late 1960’s. I lived in the Mid-West then and entered it in gymkhanas and did well, especially in the wet and snow! I had put Pirelli P 57 Cinturatos on it and it handled well.
I had a friend back in the 1970’s who had a 544 and turned me on to Volvos when they were otherwise unheard of backwoods West Virginia. I was impressed and, ironically, my parents had a neighbor with a 1966 122 that had been parked in his yard for a couple of years. The lady who liver there had a father who had served in Germany in the military and had purchase the car ther and had shipped back to the states. He had since died and, his son in law being a strict American car guy, hadn’t even bothered to start it up. I think you was overwhelmed by a car named Volvo. Anyway, the body was in great shape, the interior was still good and the tires were still functional because he had rolled it a few feet on occasion. I asked him what he wanted and he told me $25. because he just wanted to get it out of his yard. Done deal. I got out the appropriate stuff to spray into the cylinders, jumped the battery and it started right up. The only problem was the brake cylinder had leaked out the fluid. I took care of that and drove it down the road. But, instead of keeping it, already having a vehicle and needing money, I “enhanced” the paint with six or seven cans of cheap spray enamel and sold it for $700.
But that’s not the end of the story. Afew months later, the boyfriend of the lady I sold it to got upset with her and broke the windshield. Not wanting to deal with it herself she contacted me and sold it back to me for $250. I drove it for five years and it was the best car I have ever owned. I sure wish I had it today. I later bout a 122 wagon which I kept for about five years also.