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Turkey Day Discovery: Volvo 122s

volvo-122-project

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from all of us here at Barn Finds! There is so much to be grateful for – family, friends, and faith. The list could go on and on. We are grateful for you guys because without a few dedicated readers, there wouldn’t be any reason for us to keep writing. So, to say thanks we have a great lineup of finds scheduled throughout the day. To kick things off, we have this Volvo 122s project. The seller isn’t even sure of the year, but the emblems on the fenders tell us that it is newer than 1964. They supposedly have a clean title though and are only asking $1,000 here on craigslist in Huntsville, Alabama. Thanks goes to Chuck F. for the tip!

volvo-122-interior

I’m thankful for old Volvos! The company marketed the 544 and 122 as “practical family sports car(s)”. They did have their fair share of wins on the track and at rallies around the world, but the practical part is probably what most people remember the most. They were simple cars, but they had little features that could only be appreciated during daily use – especially in the extreme winter conditions of Sweden. Seat belt latches that worked with gloves, a radiator shade to keep engine temps up, and rubber covered floors that helped contain the slush. These cars were built tough too and that means that there are still a lot around today that are worth saving. When these cars were new, it wasn’t uncommon for a Volvo owner to keep their car for 10 years or more before shopping for another!

volvo-122-rear

That doesn’t mean that this particular one isn’t going to need a lot of help. From what I can see in the photos, it has suffered a color change from white to red and the interior appears to be partially disassembled. The seller claims that the car runs though and that they have too many parts to list! Well, considering that their whole description is only two dozen words long, that list of parts might not be all that long. It might still be worth a look though if you are in the area. You could always make an offer and then follow along as we bring our own Amazon back to life!

Comments

  1. Avatar Tim H

    Thank you all for your work on this web sight. Although we all have opinions about different cars, it is great to have a place to be heard. I am grateful for the work you do. And I am grateful that at this season of my life I have time and money to play with some fun cars.

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    • Avatar Alan (Michigan)

      +1

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  2. Avatar erikj

    I must agree with Tim H You guys are great and every morning when I open my laptop barnfinds is one of the first things I look at!!! Yea , right know its just after 6:00 am and I just put the turkey in for the family that’s coming later(just suffered a devorice this year so I,m on my own-kept my cars though.)This is my favorite site and has provided me with 3 cars that I bought that you featured and I bought. Keep it going. Erikj

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    • Avatar jim s

      tell us more about the 3 cars and include some photos please. thanks for sharing.

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  3. Avatar Steve R.

    Interesting. Don’t the title have the vehicle year on it!!!!

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    • Avatar Will

      My first thought was that the title should have the year on it. It seems to me that they might have taken a second to glance at that before posting. It seems like a fairly lazy seller. Or maybe they don’t want to sell it and are just listing it due to the demands of a significant other.

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    • Avatar Bama~Craig

      I find most craigs list ads to be fraudulent. I live 40 minutes from the red Volvo and would snap it up if only the seller were legit! No phone number no response to multiple requests. Lying liar pants on fire!

      BTW Alabama does not title cars built before a certain year.. 1975??

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  4. Avatar Mark Hershoren

    You’re correct judging the fender emblems to suggest it’s at least a 1965 m/y car. If those are the original grille inserts, the car is a 1967. Where it a ’68, there’d be reflectors on the front fenders and rear quarters and the bucket seats would have head rests.

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  5. Avatar jim s

    short on text and photos but if the motor is still in it then there might be more then the asking price in parts. needs a PI and then put back on the road as a daily driver. great find.

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  6. Avatar Rich

    Your emails are truly the only ones I look forward to throughout the day! Love learning the facts you include about the models as well as reading everyone’s comments. You should include more vintage BMW’s though in my humble opinion, but I may be somewhat biased, lol.

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  7. Avatar Johnny b

    I remember a white one on top of a storage container in a junk yard years ago. The hupcaps did not have the standard V in the center, it had more of a nike swoosh…..anybody know what year(s) that volvo could have been?

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  8. Avatar Rob

    Keep the articles coming..
    and HAPPY THANKSGIVING Jesse, and to your Family as well.. Cheers from Wyoming :)

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  9. Avatar Dolphin Member

    I owned one of these, identical except for the color. It was probably the most rugged and well built car I have ever owned, yet it was one of the least expensive used cars I ever bought. It had very high quality materials that were very well put together.

    I should have kept it, and although I did own two more 122s, that first one was the best. It would cruise at ‘the ton’ and not complain, even without the OD gearbox. To me the 122S was one of the most honest and properly built cars that ever was.

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  10. Avatar rjc

    Happy thanks giving to you and all the other readers.
    I love this site, I look forward to it each and every morning!!

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  11. Avatar DT

    Happy Holidays Jesse,Josh and families,thanks for what you do

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  12. Avatar Chuck F 55chevy

    Happy Thanksgiving all! I never had a Volvo, but always liked them, especially the 1800 coupes. This Alabama car doesn’t have a title, the registration on pre-74 AL cars act as a title, and you use a Bill of Sale to transfer them. If you lose the registration you might forget what exact year it was if you suffer from CRS.
    There was a 1800ES on my local C’list that I should have looked at for $2400, I emailed and was told it was still available but they had sold a couple parts off it, Can’t Remember Specifically which ones but seems like they were important.

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  13. Avatar RickyM

    Having almost completed my day over here I’d like to wish you all over there a happy Thanksgiving. Love the site and the emails and also peoples comments. A great bunch!

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  14. Avatar Robert J.

    This car is a steal at this price. Even if it doesn’t have an engine it is a steal I LOVE the 122S-123GT, 544 and P1800 Volvos. Great Stuff!

    Happy Thanksgiving guys. Gratitude for all of the effort you make to bring us together here to talk tur(n)key!!!

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  15. Avatar guggie

    Love barnfinds , every day when checking my email I hone in on barnfinds first , keep up the good work !!

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  16. Avatar Bob in Bexley Member

    Jesse, current Volvo owners like to drive their cars 10 years or more !

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  17. Avatar Ric Parrish

    I too am a grateful follower of your website. It’s my little ray of sunshine every day when I open my e-mail. Trust me, you guys are truly appreciated. Although I am a TR3 and Corvette freak, I also collect old military trucks. Do you ever spot any military stuff?

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  18. Avatar bbigley

    I had a 64 and a 65 ( for my wife ). The 64 had SU carbs, the 65 had Strombergs. The 64, in my opinion, was the better of the two: mileage, handling, etc. but required much more attention from someone who knew about the ” Swedish jeep “.

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  19. Avatar Ian

    Hi Barn finds readers,
    I was wondering if anyone out there could tell me what a good price for a 1965 Volvo 122s is worth paying for? I have a guy in my neighborhood selling his and wondering what I should offer. Sorry, no pics. But it’s really straight, no big rust problems and the interior looks great. It’s not running and he’s not sure why. Any ideas?
    Thank you for any help you can offer.
    Ian

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    • Avatar Robert J

      That depends..
      Which coast are you closest to?
      How many doors -2 or 4?
      How long has it been off the road?
      Automatic or manual transmission?

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  20. Avatar Ian

    The car is west coast/ California,
    2 door,
    over a year,
    and manual.
    Thank you

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    • Avatar Robert J

      $2,000 to $3,000 would be right in the range if the exterior does not have any significant damage. $1,500-$4,5000 being a broader spectrum.

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  21. Avatar Robert J.

    So, I would offer $1,500. :)

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  22. Avatar Ian

    Great! Thank you for the info. I’ll start at $1000 and go up from there.
    If I can get it, I’ll post some pics.
    Thank you

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    • Avatar Ian

      Sold to a neighbor for $2500 – Ohh well.
      Thanks

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      • Avatar Alan (Michigan)

        Sometime that happens.

        But don’t give up hope, when the new guy lets it sit for a year, and his wife nags him about it, you’ll be able to get it at that discount!

        :-)

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