This 1968 Volvo 122S is a tidy classic that can be considered a genuine sleeper. These cars offered respectable performance off the showroom floor, but the V8 under this Volvo’s hood almost doubles the power available to the driver. It has no apparent needs, and with a range of recent work, it is a turnkey proposition for someone seeking a genuinely unique classic.
Volvo unveiled its new Amazon range in 1956, with the car landing on North American showroom floors as the 122S in 1959. It remained in production until 1970, achieving a worldwide sales total of nearly 670,000 cars across its three body styles. Our feature 122S emerged in 1968, with the first owner selecting Dark Green to cloak its exterior. The seller has been the car’s custodian for twenty-five years, and its overall condition suggests it has been their pride and joy. The car presents nicely, with the paint holding an excellent shine, and the panels as straight as an arrow. Volvo focused heavily on rust prevention strategies with the 122S range, making this car’s rust-free status unsurprising. The trim and glass are excellent, and the wheels were recently stripped and powdercoated. The slightly wider rear wheels provide a subtle hint that all might not be as it seems with this classic. There are no interior shots in the listing, but a brief glimpse of the Tan upholstered surfaces suggests it should be presentable.
Volvo powered the 122S with its seemingly ageless and bulletproof 1,986cc B20 four that delivered 118hp and 123 ft/lbs of torque. Buyers could select from four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmissions, and while the power and torque figures seem modest, the 122S was a surprisingly spirited performer. However, all of that information is now irrelevant, because the changes below this car’s skin are profound. When I first discovered its engine bay housed a V8, I expected it to be from Ford or General Motors. However, the seller looked to the UK for inspiration, selecting Rover’s 4.6-liter powerplant of 2005 vintage. They backed this with a three-speed Borg Warner T35 automatic and a 3.08 Dana 25 rear end. The V8 inhales deeply via a four-barrel Edelbrock carburetor. Throw in a mild camshaft and it is a fair bet that this V8 will deliver more than the 218hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque it produced when it left the factory. The seller recently replaced the springs, shocks, and ball joints, indicating that the engine and transmission have only clocked around 20,000 miles since receiving a rebuild. The car kicks easily into life at a twist of the key, running and driving perfectly.
“Subtle” is the key word to describe this 1968 Volvo 122S. It is only the larger rear wheels that hint at the performance potential hiding below the surface. The fact that the V8 conversion was performed over two decades ago suggests that any potential bugs have been eliminated. The seller listed the Volvo here on Craigslist in Silver Spring, Maryland. Their price of $17,950 is probably realistic and will increase the car’s appeal to anyone seeking a genuinely unique and quirky classic. It has been on the market for around one week, and it will be fascinating to see how quickly it finds a new home.
Over here, transplanting a V8 into a Volvo is old hat. 350 chev with a turbo 350 box is the norm.
But this car???
A 122S?
It’s so wrong.
There rare, and if you must repower it for whatever reason, stick with a Volvo donk. V6 or turbo 4.
And the gearbox choice, holy crap batman, my 145 had the BW35 tranny, and trust me, a 1.9L four cylinder with twin SU’s (thank you MG) was too much for a BW35.
Did Volvo ever make their own V6? I know a couple of my GL/GLTs back in the day had the B27 Peugeot V6 that ate cam shafts, but that’s why I got them cheap! I swapped a B23 into a 265 wagon ran it forever. The other one provided a lot up upgrade trim pieces for a DL.
Years ago, a guy who worked for Volvo told me that some of the American employees were replacing the tired “fours” in their cars with Ford 289s. He claimed this was almost a bolt-in proposition.
Most of these were later cars, and I have to agree with Aussie Dave that a 122S should keep its original powerplant. The only thing I’d do is ditch the slushbox and install a proper four-speed, preferably with o/d. I’m cranky that way.
Still, this is a sweet 122S, with as sensible a V8 transplant as you’ll find. If the interior is as nice, I wouldn’t kick it out of my garage.
Ha! Nice, that’s what I’m talkin’ about, sleeper extraordinaire. The 122 was always the “forgotten” Volvo. Volvo seemed a decade behind in styling. The 444/544, in the 50s, right out of our 40s, and the 122 in the 60s, right out of our 50s. It looked old fashioned. The 140 changed everything for Volvo. The 122 was nothing fancy and didn’t see near as many as 544s. The V8, while seemingly celebrating its Buick roots here, was the staple of British V8 powered vehicles for years and I believe differs greatly from the old 215 GM. I think the 4.6 was the last, but sure turns this car around. I think a V6 would be better suited, and quite frankly, I never saw anything wrong with the 4 cylinders. The late General Colin Powell drove a 122S and would have nothing but.
I thought Gen. Powell only drove Bertone coupes.
He owned many vintage Volvo’s, 544, 122, and yes, Bertone’s, but his pride and joy was a 122S longroof.
Interesting as the alternator and Harrison type a/c is pure GM
That’s because the motor was designed by GM and originally offered by Oldsmobile in the early 60’s.
That’s because the motor was designed by GM and originally offered by Oldsmobile in the early 60’s.
Looks very much like the Buick tri shield with 200 written on the air cleaner
Super cool sleeper I absolutely love this wish I had the spare dollars for it
Pure blasphemy to do this to a 122S…
I would love to take this to a PTA meeting at my kid’s school and then do a burnout out of the parking lot as the other parents were getting into their cars after the meeting…🤪
And watch out for “demonstration of speed” tickets (do they still hand those out?) after church on Sunday.
About 25 years ago I went thru four Volvos, a 122S wagon, 142 two door, 144 four door, and a 145 wagon. The B20 engine and the SU or Stromberg carbs were easy to work on and tune, adjust valves. My friend had a later 145 with electronic fuel injection which was not friendly to him with more bugs to sort.
Just pray you don’t need back brakes. I remember, the staff here having a dilly of a pickle of a time getting the rear drums off a project 122. My 444 had worn back brakes, and I couldn’t get the drums off either, and just drove it with front brakes,,,stupid kids.
You lost me at ‘automatic’…..
Great looking car
Looks well cared for over the years. Optimistic on price. Be nice to have a few interior pics.