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Panel Delivery Wagon? 1966 Volvo 122S

Well, it’s advertised as a “VINTAGE 1966 VOLVO 122S AMAZON B18 4 DR PANEL DELIVERY WAGON“. Is it really? It’s the first one that I have encountered but then again, and I have proven it, I’m no Volvo expert. So let’s take a look here and see what we have. This Volvo is located in Flagstaff, Arizona and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $6,300 with 46 bids tendered as of this writing.

The Volvo Amazon, what we in the U.S. know as the 122S was produced between 1956 and 1970 in two and four-door sedans, as well as a four-door station wagon. A total volume of about 667K were assembled, but how many were panel delivery wagons? Hmmm, I can’t find a production volume for that body style or another example for review for that matter.

A panel delivery wagon, or what is frequently referred to as a “Sedan Delivery”, is traditionally a bottom-of-the-line, two-door station wagon that has had the rear side windows paneled over with a steel sheet. The interior will be minus a back seat and be utilitarian in nature, at best. And why not, the vehicle is going to be used in commercial delivery service – frills not needed.

This Volvo wagon, on the surface, looks like a regular station wagon that has had its rear side windows replaced with two steel sheets, and that’s it. So, is this a production model, a contractor aftermarket mod, or a one-off? Whatever the case, it’s nicely done and appears to have been professionally accomplished. The white finish is deep, the body is straight and the trim is all in place; and there is no sign of rust.

Inside really shows with saddle-tan vinyl seats, both front and back seat. The Wilson basketball-themed material (faux lizard according to the seller) even extends to the dash pad. The gray carpet, including that covering the cargo-carrying floor, looks like a recent replacement. Of note are the shoulder harnesses, original for ’66? If so, that would be in keeping with Volvo’s safety theme focus.

Power is provided by a 1.8 liter, in-line, four-cylinder engine generating either 107 or 94 HP, depending upon compression ratio.  Connected to a four-speed manual transmission, it is described by stating, “She runs and drives well. All systems are operational, is ready to drive and enjoy“. The mileage recording is 33K miles but there is no claim to that being authentic.

The seller adds, “She makes a statement where ever she goes“. I would agree with that assessment based upon the stellar condition of this Volvo. As for the panel truck aspect of it, it’s just not that obvious to my eyes. So, what do you think, regular production or a one-time creation?

Comments

  1. Avatar bobhess Member

    Not sure what you have here but during the 3 years we spent in Oslo, Norway we saw many panel delivery wagons in a couple of variations. The pure delivery wagon could be had with or without the blanking panels but the real kicker was it had only front seats and nothing but flat floor in the rear. The landlord who owned our house was a building contractor so the one he had was not only good for his business but there were no high taxes as it didn’t qualify as a passenger car. A straight Volvo 4 door wagon had a 105% value added tax as did all other cars in the country. He used to stuff the kids in the rear if the whole family was going somewhere together. I’m sure our Volvo experts will emerge with more details.

    Like 5
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      Since you’ve been living in Norway you know there’s a catch with those so-called delivery wagons – one seat row only and the fines for carrying people in the back are out-of-this-world.

      As a kid in the early 80s I remember seeing Trans Ams, K5s and 911s registered as deliveries – one seat row and a (mandatory) screen to separate the interior confines. That was before they started regulating what kind of vehicles could be converted to delivery wagons

      Like 0
    • Avatar Lasse

      Never seen this combination in Sweden before,no deliverycars on Amazon´s as we call them in Sweden.Volvo did deliverycars earlier as Duett that was common for the Sweden State telefoncompanycars in the 60ties.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar sir_mike

    Like the looks of her but a 2dr S/W would have been better.

    Like 4
    • Avatar SMS

      Only seen one two door wagon. Someone took a standard 220 and the doors from a two door 122 and modified the wagon. It looked very good.
      Have only seen the delivery with the flat back and no rear seat like bobhess wrote. Should add that Volvo did a real good job of supplying cars to companies for customization so there may be a number of different styles out there. The most interesting variations to me are the taxis. Remind me of the Checker, roomy.
      Would have a look around this one for rust. Like that it has the original carbs. Mine had the Weber conversion when I got it. Did the car no favors.

      Like 2
  3. Avatar Martin Horrocks

    No Volvo expert, I! Haven’t seen this before. It would be interesting to know if it is an import or supplied originally in USA.

    I know that some Scandinavian countries did their own thing with commercial vans. Citroën Denmark built a few Citroen Traction Avant sedan delivery vans for example, now very sought after.

    Maybe this is similar. Wouldn’t be hard to do if it saved taxes.

    Like 1
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      There are still numerous delivery wagons of several brands around in Scandinavia, though I’ll admit I’ve never personally seen an Amazon version. Probably because the PV-based Duett filled that gap already, however I managed to find this period Danish pic.
      https://arkiv.dk/vis/4929989

      Usually delivery wagons like these would be 2door panel wagons similar to their American counterparts (some European automakers would offer even regular 2door wagons well into the 80s), and doubled as workhorses for craftsmen, corner shop owners or farmers and family car when off duty. Installation of seats in the cargo area has been strictly prohibited for decades in Norway until vehicle is reclassified as a car. I can remember seeing 145/245 Express versions (note the fiberglass rear hatch) regularly driven through the 90s and they’re even today observed frequently driven by their enthusiastic owners
      https://www.tv2.no/a/11800634/

      Like 1
  4. Avatar chrlsful

    this amazon seems privately converted due to the side windows( in back ) & 4 dor? I like the nxt gen as shown in the pic (strapin in side, bulkhead, pop top, lift gate). No matter, any wolwo is great. Fav? Duette~

    Really enjoyed the 240 waggy (20 yrs). The 850 wag (bought due to frnt wd & move to steep driveway in sno country) not so much (“sports car”).

    Like 0
  5. Avatar jwaltb

    Seems highly unlikely an original would have
    a back seat. Kinda defeats the purpose.

    Like 0

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