This car is a car that can be repaired by the owner... It doesn't have to be taken to the garage to be repaired. A person with average mechanical skills can repair this car. The electrical system consist of points, plugs, cap rotor.. fuel system is carbs, and a fuel pump mounted on side of engine... Everything is accessible... no computer crap... I've restored 2 Amazon 122"s... I think this car was the best car that Volvo ever made. The 1800 is sporty in appearance, however getting in and out of them is hard on an old man's body (like mine) The 544 was very nice also. I still think the 122 was the best of all... The new cars that Volvo produces doesn't do a thing for me... All cars made today look the same... Thank you for posting this video!
I complete agree with all this. I would have a 144 now or 145 . I saw a beautiful bronze 145 when i was looking or my first car. Fuel injected and over drive, id have loved that but couldnt afford it.
Well i only really got interested in old cars because of the heritage styling of my Volvo C30. In some way, modern Volvos can spark the joy for old cars. But being born in Germany in the 90's there weren't a lot of great/ exciting cars in my childhood to spark interest. 😀
I had a 1966 122s too. It was a four door sedan with a BW35 automatic transmission. Took its time to speed up, but it was the most reliable car I ever had. It had two SU HS6 carbs if I remember correctly. My girlfriend and her son were involved in an accident with it and it saved their lives. I had it repaired and it lived a good long life after that.
Delightful! Old Volvos were a part of my childhood. Dad bought a new PV544 in 1959 when I was three years old. We had it for several years, and I remember it well. Then an uncle had a 122 (as Amazons were called in the US). Years later we had a ‘76 245DL wagon. So I remember those cars fondly, and it was nice to ride along with you in the Estate. Cheers!
I love these old Volvos. My parents had Volvos for years and Mum is a real Volvo fan as am I. Dad bought the family's first Volvo 345DL back in 1989 and since then, my late father swore by them and Mum would love another Volvo. I own a classic Volvo and also swear by Volvo. I wouldn't have any other car.
It takes me back to mine, same year and model. Same colour too. It would keep up with the Cortina two litres on the motorway at 85mph. Very comfortable and a quality build. Only problem was the fuel consumption, I had a new mortgage at a time of high inflation in so it had to go, for a cretinous Mini.
I was well pleased when you said you were posting this vid on the Volvo Amazon estate when we spoke at the NEC on Sunday . As the proud owner of a 1969 Volvo Amazon 2 door saloon with overdrive action - I really can't think of many classic cars that ticks all the boxes for me as my trusty Amazon. Now going to order my Hub Nut sticker.......
My Volvo 345DL although it has a Renault Cleon fonte 1397cc engine, it gets up to operating temperature very quickly. The heater is so efficient. I drove it 350 miles one day and still felt refreshed after the journey. I have been doing some work on my old Volvo and even though it is 35 years old, still feels as tight as a drum. Even the screws came off without being sheered. I just love Volvo's attention to ergonomics and engineering. As for the seats, they are so comfortable. Even my ex girlfriend even said it was the most comfortable car she has ever been in.
Yay, good to see a Volvo on the channel! As I've mentioned before, I own a 1982 (Y-reg) 244 DL and going by this video they are very similar cars in a lot of ways (aside from styling, which is a matter of taste - I've always liked boxy 70s and 80s styling). It really is a very easy, forgiving car to drive and I much prefer the floaty suspension to the harsh, 'sporty' ride of modern stuff (thanks for that BMW!) The visibility is fantastic (important on such a big car) and the redblock engines pretty much unkillable. Being designed primarily for use in cold countries, the heater is indeed capable of browning toast (at least, until the fan breaks and you have to dismantle the entire dash to change it out - a whole weekend job and one of the very few downsides to this car - there's a saying in 240 circles that Volvo started with the heater / fan and then built the car around it!) Wonderful old cars that hold fond memories for me (my mum's big 740, and the lines of 240s and 740s on the motorway with their DRLs on, in the days when that was a real novelty and USP). The P6 aside, very few British products of that era compare to a Volvo for build quality, reliability, practicality and safety. Amazons are fetching silly money now but a good 240 can still be had for £1500-£2k and a slightly tatty one like mine for even less (paid £500 to rescue her from the scrap man who was preparing to part her out).
Although the PV144 was a great car and gave people an idea of how good Swedish cars could be, Volvo, like Saab, were, i think, still seen a bit of an oddity. However, the Amazon, together with the P1800, really cemented Volvo's reputation for building safe, sturdy and reliable cars. You only have to look at how many are still out there to realize how well built they were and how bulletproof their engines were. Also they're one of those rare classic cars that can still be used every day, and there aren't many cars of this vintage you can say that about.
I had four or five of these through the last 30 years , always got me where I needed to go, hard to find parts now, it was easy in the old days , lots of character
remote brake servo similar to the ones fitted to the Rover p6. The Laycock overdrive units fitted to many British cars of that time had an ignition interruption device which operated when the overdrive switch was switched on/off (quite often a gear knob mounted switch) they would operate in 3rd and 4th gears thereby giving SIX gears! I'll now have go and have a sit down.
My grandfather's first car was a Volvo Amazon Estate Sport. He bought it new in 1961, when came home from UN peacekeeping service in Congo. Ever since then he has always had Volvo cars.
Thank you for sharing the tour! Enjoyable to hear the reverse gear in action. You should have done a couple of laps in the roundabout. I have the same model in left hand drive with desert sand color and brown saddle interior now in the garage getting the hydraulic clutch put in. A 1965 wagon with over 400,000 miles on the chassis. Dad bought it new. It took me through college. We Yanks had a saying for the 122S series, "Old Volvos never die. They move to Santa Cruz."
They really were solid well engineered cars, nothing Ford or BMC made could touch them for either quality or reliability. They were fairly rust resistant but once it got hold they like everything else got ruined. Engines were simple pushrod motors, but the front suspension was coil spring and wishbone. A friend had one for many years and it had been his everyday car, he looked after it and it responded by clocking up an amazing milage and still managed to remain reliable.
My late father Harry Cornish had the same wagon and year 1966 (in the color beige). Of all the vehicles he owned (which were many) this model was his favorite...( He had his first speeding ticket in it. Lol) Thanks for the ride down memory lane! Cheers!🇬🇧👍🇺🇸
High school mate had one back in the 70s and I always admired the style and engineering. It was everything a car should be with incredible dependability.
Hello HubNut, thank you for this Volvo video. I had two of those. At first a V70 Estate (5 cyl. 2,5 ltr. 144 hp, fwd) and after that a 240 Estate (4 cyl. 2,3 ltr. 116 hp, rwd). Two very different cars, but both very fun to drive, very solid vehicles. The Amazon sounds amazing, just like my 240. Greets from Germany and go on
My family bought a 122 in 1966... Drove round Europe with the whole family, camping...happy memories. It lasted well, in Jamaica, despite few parts being available
Took me back to 1977 my apprenticeship days when I used to get a lift from a work colleague in his Volvo 122 estate... He had an eight-track tape deck... Thanks for jogging my memory...
The Amazon is a great little car. I never had a chance to have one. My Volvos were a 1959 544, 1973 145, 1986 745GLE, 1988 745GLE, 1989 744GLE twin cam, 1979 242, 1991 244 and a 1995 945. I still have the 89 740, 91 244 and the 95 940. The others succumbed to the Midwest Rust Monster. Most achieved more than 200,000 miles. The 86 745 had 320K. I just came off of a 1000 mile trip in the 945 which is at 265K miles. It cruises, easily, at 70 mph+. Thanks for the test drive of a classic Brick.
Fond memories of this type of Volvo. Parents had a 1963 121 with B18 from about 1969 to 1974 took us and tons of luggage on many, many trips, always with a roof-rack fully loaded. Dad only gave it up because of poor fuel economy at the time of the 1970s fuel crisis.
I had a 1960 122 in the 80's, the choke would slide in by itself and the right hand indicator had to be held on, the drivers window could be pushed down by hand, which was a bonus because the drivers door lock didn't work. Best heater ever and no break downs. Great car!
Being a huge Volvo fan, loved this video. Never been in an Amazon but it was fascinating to experience the lovely sounds and relaxed nature of it. Can see where modern Volvos got their heritage
Thank you for the different camera angle! Spot on and much appreciated by us weirdos who love to see the whole operation. And the view of the road is a delicious bonus!
A friend of mine had a saloon Volvo 122, RTJ150C, he let me drive it, so, me being me, I drove it, nursing it, double de-clutching! It was a good, smooth drive!! Another great video! Including shooing the cat!!
This one I had to see. When I was boy my Aunt had the sedan version she bought new in 1963 (in Sweden). I loved to ride around Seattle in it with her. This brought back some great memories. If I didn't find such a great deal on the scrap MGB's, that is what I would have looked for. Thanks Ian!
Nice! A very, very usable vehicle. Safe, reliable, easy to work on and stylish in a restrained, Swedish way. Used to see these cars all over the place and the Amazon was a typical first car for many young people 30-35 years ago. Then, suddenly, good surviving cars became quite rare and the enthusiasts came in. An Amazon can be used as an everyday car, but these cars do rust a bit (they are old now) and engines with dual Strombergs will sooner or later make you swear.
Should note: When the dual SU carbs get worn, they start leaking air around the throttle plate shaft and that causes bad idling and makes the engine overheat. Local shop that specialized in old Volvos, would rebore, install brass sleeves and line bore the carb's bodys to repair, after brazing in any wear on the throttle plate shafts. Best $200 spent on making an old red B engine idle and drive well in city traffic.
A friend of the family had one of these back in the 70's and changed it for an Escort Mk1 estate. Never got to go in the Amazon, but the video made up for that. Also a steamed up window added to the 70's experience. Thanks Ian another good choice of car!
My first boss had a 4-door 122S/ B18 (can't recall the year of manufacture) that I drove regularly. I found it a pleasure to drive - twin carbs! - although the steering was a bit rubbery and handling was wallowy on the bends. I loved the look, especially: solid, handsome, and - my fave - a painted metal dash, so much a feature of cars from the '50s/ 60s. Sod the safety - bring 'em back!
Volvo 122 is a work of art, first car I got to drive as a kid. The car was my grandfathers. Maybe find an older PV444/544 for a spin, stunning cars. Or a newer 140 series. Utilitarian beauty.
Another great road test! When I was young, I recall a TV ad for the Volvo 122 (mid-'60s vintage), boasting of an average lifespan of 11 years for Volvos...later, when I lived in Australia in the mid-1970s, I read that the lifespan had jumped to more like 17 years for the Volvos (by then, of course, the 240 and 260-series)...
Have always lusted after one of these. Prices have quite rightly rocketed past my grasp now. Have had a few Volvo's, best one was a stunning Volvo 740 turbo estate. Huge fun to drive.
The 120 series were a serious work horse of a car,i worked for a Volvo dealer as an Apprentice Mechanic back in the day,when these were still relatively new, the 122S was the one with twin carbs, they went quite well for a car of its time,watching this video brings back a lot of good memories
My father had an estate (LHD) twin carb B18 & a 2 door amazon (black with red roof) and a whole host of 140s up until 1995. I have carried on the Volvo tradition with my own '72 144. I just love old Volvos. An dark green Amzon came up for sale couple of years ago but I was out of the country at the time, sickened. The old Volvos have a very distinct smell, takes me right back to the 70's.
They are lovely cars! My parents had a white '66 4 door when I was little. As for the remote servo, I used to put them either in the boot, or under the dash on the near side with a non return valve. Worked very well indeed & reduced under bonnet clutter. I'm fitting one in the boot of my YB Cosworth turbo powered Ford Corsair (RetroFord mag March 2008). Will be fitting a diesel vacuum pump alternator alternator & larger pulley to reduce the revolutions due to the petrol engine! My wife's SBC V8 HC Viva will be getting one under the dash. Cheers. Leigh.
My '82 244 stood in a garden for 15 years after her first owner died. There are rust spots on the bonnet, roof and doors, but the structural parts of the shell (sills, floor pan, suspension turrets / mounting points etc) are all clean. It's as though the whole bottom half of the car was made of some rot repelling super material. I am certainly not complaining.
@ferkemall they are awesome cars. I prefer the look of the sedans but the wagons are so practical - great camping cars with an air mattress in the back!
The entire series of Volvo 122 "Amazons" were fantastic cars. They were safe, reliable, long lived, easy to work on, fairly economical, and they performed and handled quite well for a European car of that era. I did a total ground up resto-mod of a two tone red & white 67 122S amazon coupe for my eldest daughters first car back in the late 90's. She loved it so much that she kept it to adulthood and planned on keeping it forever. Unfortunately, her ex-husband fell asleep at the wheel on the way home from work and totaled it, but "fortunately" I had equipped it with a full racing harness so he was not seriously injured. The specialty cars, trucks, off road vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and RV''s that I owned numbered somewhere well into the hundreds, but I always had an appreciation for the old Volvos. Possibly due to the fact that in my youth I had traded my nice solid 544 coupe for a stunningly beautiful Arbor Green Poly 1961 Chevy Impala SS convertible that was the love of my life.
My '94 940 estate is onto 289k and thanks to the rustproofing and the inch thick paint it still looks new. That the engine is now up to 208 bhp without a turbo is just my own little indulgence. ;)
The parents of a friend of mine used to have an Amazon. I loved it. The most amazing thing is that the seats have springs, kind of like a mattress. That makes bumps in the road almost non-existant. Why don't more cars have that? It is hilarious how you stay pretty much at the same level, while the rest of the car moves up and down.
Whist still a child in the late 50's a neighbour had a saloon Amazon. The biggest attraction of Volvos through the 50's and 60's was their rust protection compared to British cars such as the infamous Vauxhall Victors of around 1960. It wasn't until the 80's that British cars rust protection met the 50's standards of Volvo.
Nice video. My first thought was "An Amazon - seen lots of those" but then realized I have seen lots of PHOTOS of them but never been in one or possibly even seen inside one - so it was a revelation. Big part of why I enjoy your vids - it's an experience, not just a picture. In my opinion the best camera angle for being on board for the drive, too. Though I did want to reach your and tuck the bloody camera lead under your arm lol
My Dad had one of these for 17 years. He bought it when I was 2 years old. When I passed my test at 17 years of age I had the exhaust manifold glowing cherry red giving my friends a lift to the Gordon Arms in Peterborough. As a kid we drove from Peterborough to Butlins in Minehead with my three sisters in the back seat and me in the back with the luggage. Thought about buying one but even a barn find crate costs a fortune.
Takes me back to my mum's 245glt estate,in racing gold with black leather. Not an Amazon,but it was a nice car as a teenager and introduced me to the delights of cleaning alloy wheels.
the laycock overdrive had a planetary gearset and a cone clutch, similar to an automatic transmission. the electric circuit engaged/disenenged a hydralic piston arrangement that moved the cone clutch to select direct drive or overdrive. early ones used transmission gear oil and wouldnt operate when cold, later ones used automatic transmission fluid, resolving the cold operation issue
If you want an estate buy a Volvo!.....lol....Only experience I have of Volvo estates is a 740 (which was nice if a bit staid looking) and & 850 2.3 turbo (at the time was a real flying machine!.. And both of which were works cars)....the 850 would do Hull to Leeds in under an hour!....but back then they didn't have speed cameras on the M62!... Oh the good old days!
We had a red 1967 Amazon 123GT sedan when i grew up, it wasnt in the best condition, but it was a great car. I have since that loved the Amazon, especially the design, i would love to own one some day. I still have the horn button from that car somwhere which had GT printed on it. I still have my trusty 940 estate which i have owned for 14 years, its great, love it also.
When you're talking about the advantages of older cars from this era, ground clearance is a big one, I used to take my Amazon on jeep trails and onto gravel bars on the McKenzie river, I really doubt that an 850 could go the places I've driven to in my 122.
Can't stand the things, too tall overly heavy and gas hoggish. My Amazon and '69 SAAB 96 were great cars for gravel and backroad explorations. Very low first gear and excellent weight balance over the driving wheels.
@@Lenny-kt2th Yeah, that car got towed out of the ruts a lot, that wasn't a great comparison. My wife holed the oil filter on a moderately rutted gravel road with our T5... So no, the 850 wagon turbo with the 15" low profile wheels/tires and OEM suspension mods doesn't have a lot of ground clearance. That I have to jack it up to do an oil and filter change, speaks volumes, by comparison our122 had oodles of ground clearance and was a doddle to do an oil change on.
The model which was responsible for the Durability legend of Volvos,sturdy and strong,strongly mechanical,way overbuilt by todays standards,simply wonderful!
Great review, handy that TH-cam popped it into my timeline today as I was looking at one to run for my food business and to take to the odd show, if ever we get to go to car shows again!
I used to see these a lot when I was a kid in the early 70's and I always liked them. Looks really easy and relaxing to drive. I don't think that indicator stalk is like that by design though, I suspect fettling is required. For me, an estate with the B20 engine and overdrive is the ideal spec. It must be cavernous with the back seat folded down! Ideal for carting drum kits, guitar amps and old hi fi gear around. Or throw a mattress in the back and kip in it!
I remember those, brings back memories of LUW 233D, my old overdrive in 3rd and 4th gear Triumph 2000 estate. The only car I ever had with overdrive switched by a button on the top of the gear knob. Had spark plug extensions in the head, to stop the plugs fouling due to excessive oil consumption; bought for the princely sum of £20 + 5 bob for 2 Stromberg carburettor rubber diaphragms to get her running, those were the days. Gone but not forgotten, those heady days of innocence in ignorance of what was to come......
This is a car nuts Ultimate slow tv. Great to be taken back home to England for a drive at bedtime. Excellent commentary as well. “Look before you leap love”. 😁 often used.
I had a British racing green Amazon estate when I lived on Orkney as a daily driver in the 90s. I drove it once from Orkney to Newcastle, caught the ferry to Bergen, drove it to the Baltic and back. I saw less than a handful of estates on the trip. The dynamo brushes wore out in Oslo. I went to the first motor factors and they had them on the shelf. My car was a ‘63. The car was more than thirty five years old then. I should have kept it, but I sold it for a Saab 900 16v
@@RWL2012 indeed - the top spec 240s / 260s had the Volvo 'Top Executive' head unit which had a separate mic on a stretchy cable that plugged into the dash and could be used as a dictaphone. And yes, you could also use it to tape off the radio. There was a separate LED digital display module available that showed the station frequency, time and temp, despite the head unit itself having an old-style analogue display. They even offered a 'Microprocessor' unit with an early version of RDS and a built-in&in CB radio! The stereos in early (pre 1986 facelift) 240s were made by Mitsubishi and were really rather good, especially for the late 70s.
Roger Moore RIP aka Simon Templar drove a Volvo P1800 in the popular 60s TV series "The Saint". That was an extremely stylish car for its time, of Italian design, which I believe had a twin carb souped up version of the 1800cc Amazon engine. That engine reportedly would do near to a million miles without an overhaul. For those old enough to recall, Simon Templar's car had the registration plate: ST1.
Apart from an odd wobbly bit in the back...which sounds like s spare-wheel panel moving when you hit a pothole or something...there doesn't seem to be many rattles or squeeks...and the engine and road noise seems quiet too....nice car. :)
Great review! A BMC Farina built up to a quality instead of the BMC built down to a price is a good summary. The true glory for me is that split tailgate. I'm a very big fan of those......... Perfect for sitting to drink tea!
Oh bloody ell this is putting a tear in my eye father had 1965 two door in 1966 it was a car I never drove I absolooooootly love this gen of volvo I remember how classy it felt then compared to our farm morris 1000 van...Cheers ian ...wonder wot dads two door would be worth now in good nick...??? Thanks from dave
When I was a boy living in Brussels circa 1970, one of my friends dad was a doctor and he had one of these in green - lovely car - I remember thinking it was huge and really cool.
My parents had one of those when I was a kid, between 1977 - 1981. It was a 1967 in some kind of foot-fungus yellow/green colour. Still after all these years, everything about it feels familiar. Not very common anymore, not even here in Sweden - but when I do see one, I'm amazed of how small they look compared to any modern Volvo. Sadly, my only really strong memory of that car was when the drive shaft broke off, during a holiday trip to a ski resort. There was a bang and then the most horrible noise and the car was unable to go any further. As a small kid, I could off course not understand what had happened, so I got really scared. Somehow my dad got hold of a break-down truck and later we could continue the trip in a rented, by that time brand-spanking-new, Volvo 343, which was intensly brown just about everywhere. (Maybe you should try to drive one of those if you haven't done it yet - might be interesting, if not pleasant...) And, speaking of over drive - a later car in the family, a 1979 244 GL in dog-poo yellow, had that little overdrive button on the shift-knob. It looked like a device that the Q-devision of the James Bond-movies would have put there... It was always like a big thing when my dad pushed that button. I had no idea what it did, but the name overdrive sounded so cool, it had to be something really special and cool.
I think the native design was for Left-hand drive, and hence the brake booster located on the left side of the engine bay, as well as indicator stalk on the left side of the steering wheel.. The 'Amazon' series were seen as having the longest useable life of a car by a commercial manufacturer, and Volvo presented this as part of their advertising, and safety was a high priority, as well as protection in the event of a collision..
The 140 gearshifting mechanism fits on the amazon so it is possible to have a 140 short shifter very easy,so people also put early Saab 900 seats in the front for comfort..
Years ago I had a 1961 vauxhall cresta with a three speed coulomb gear change that was fitted with an electric overdrive but the best part about it was the switch as the car has a wrap around windscreen the switch was located in the corner of the windscreen surround so that when you had both hands on the wheel I could just reach over with my small finger and top the switch and turn it on or off.
Good looking car !thanks for sharing both my parents drove 70s Wagons for twenty years I’ve been looking for a decent 1960s Wagon in the United States as I’ve seen a couple Hot Rod ones I thought were pretty cool
This car is a car that can be repaired by the owner... It doesn't have to be taken to the garage to be repaired. A person with average mechanical skills can repair this car. The electrical system consist of points, plugs, cap rotor.. fuel system is carbs, and a fuel pump mounted on side of engine... Everything is accessible... no computer crap... I've restored 2 Amazon 122"s... I think this car was the best car that Volvo ever made. The 1800 is sporty in appearance, however getting in and out of them is hard on an old man's body (like mine) The 544 was very nice also. I still think the 122 was the best of all... The new cars that Volvo produces doesn't do a thing for me... All cars made today look the same... Thank you for posting this video!
I complete agree with all this.
I would have a 144 now or 145 .
I saw a beautiful bronze 145 when i was looking or my first car. Fuel injected and over drive, id have loved that but couldnt afford it.
Well i only really got interested in old cars because of the heritage styling of my Volvo C30. In some way, modern Volvos can spark the joy for old cars. But being born in Germany in the 90's there weren't a lot of great/ exciting cars in my childhood to spark interest. 😀
My cousin had one of the first sold in the UK - he loved it and went on to own numerous Volvo estates!
i have a 122s four door and i am 19. all my mates take the mick but i love it
I had a 1966 122s too. It was a four door sedan with a BW35 automatic transmission. Took its time to speed up, but it was the most reliable car I ever had. It had two SU HS6 carbs if I remember correctly. My girlfriend and her son were involved in an accident with it and it saved their lives. I had it repaired and it lived a good long life after that.
Being the owner of an Amazon, I really don't get tired of watching this video. Thanks Ian'.
Delightful! Old Volvos were a part of my childhood. Dad bought a new PV544 in 1959 when I was three years old. We had it for several years, and I remember it well. Then an uncle had a 122 (as Amazons were called in the US). Years later we had a ‘76 245DL wagon. So I remember those cars fondly, and it was nice to ride along with you in the Estate. Cheers!
I love these old Volvos. My parents had Volvos for years and Mum is a real Volvo fan as am I. Dad bought the family's first Volvo 345DL back in 1989 and since then, my late father swore by them and Mum would love another Volvo. I own a classic Volvo and also swear by Volvo. I wouldn't have any other car.
It takes me back to mine, same year and model. Same colour too. It would keep up with the Cortina two litres on the motorway at 85mph. Very comfortable and a quality build. Only problem was the fuel consumption, I had a new mortgage at a time of high inflation in so it had to go, for a cretinous Mini.
I was well pleased when you said you were posting this vid on the Volvo Amazon estate when we spoke at the NEC on Sunday . As the proud owner of a 1969 Volvo Amazon 2 door saloon with overdrive action - I really can't think of many classic cars that ticks all the boxes for me as my trusty Amazon. Now going to order my Hub Nut sticker.......
My first car was a 1970 142-S standard B-20
Dual SU carbs.
Set for rally racing.
I truly miss that car.
WE drove together as a single entity !
Mine was a 71 144S. I miss that car. Sadly mine had been converted to a single Stromberg.
One of the best cars ever made!
Your videos are a flat joy to watch, thanks for posting them.
My Volvo 345DL although it has a Renault Cleon fonte 1397cc engine, it gets up to operating temperature very quickly. The heater is so efficient. I drove it 350 miles one day and still felt refreshed after the journey. I have been doing some work on my old Volvo and even though it is 35 years old, still feels as tight as a drum. Even the screws came off without being sheered. I just love Volvo's attention to ergonomics and engineering. As for the seats, they are so comfortable. Even my ex girlfriend even said it was the most comfortable car she has ever been in.
How would you feel after a long drive? You know, 600-700 miles in a day?
Yay, good to see a Volvo on the channel!
As I've mentioned before, I own a 1982 (Y-reg) 244 DL and going by this video they are very similar cars in a lot of ways (aside from styling, which is a matter of taste - I've always liked boxy 70s and 80s styling). It really is a very easy, forgiving car to drive and I much prefer the floaty suspension to the harsh, 'sporty' ride of modern stuff (thanks for that BMW!)
The visibility is fantastic (important on such a big car) and the redblock engines pretty much unkillable. Being designed primarily for use in cold countries, the heater is indeed capable of browning toast (at least, until the fan breaks and you have to dismantle the entire dash to change it out - a whole weekend job and one of the very few downsides to this car - there's a saying in 240 circles that Volvo started with the heater / fan and then built the car around it!)
Wonderful old cars that hold fond memories for me (my mum's big 740, and the lines of 240s and 740s on the motorway with their DRLs on, in the days when that was a real novelty and USP). The P6 aside, very few British products of that era compare to a Volvo for build quality, reliability, practicality and safety. Amazons are fetching silly money now but a good 240 can still be had for £1500-£2k and a slightly tatty one like mine for even less (paid £500 to rescue her from the scrap man who was preparing to part her out).
Although the PV144 was a great car and gave people an idea of how good Swedish cars could be, Volvo, like Saab, were, i think, still seen a bit of an oddity. However, the Amazon, together with the P1800, really cemented Volvo's reputation for building safe, sturdy and reliable cars. You only have to look at how many are still out there to realize how well built they were and how bulletproof their engines were. Also they're one of those rare classic cars that can still be used every day, and there aren't many cars of this vintage you can say that about.
I had four or five of these through the last 30 years , always got me where I needed to go, hard to find parts now, it was easy in the old days , lots of character
remote brake servo similar to the ones fitted to the Rover p6. The Laycock overdrive units fitted to many British cars of that time had an ignition interruption device which operated when the overdrive switch was switched on/off (quite often a gear knob mounted switch) they would operate in 3rd and 4th gears thereby giving SIX gears! I'll now have go and have a sit down.
My grandfather's first car was a Volvo Amazon Estate Sport. He bought it new in 1961, when came home from UN peacekeeping service in Congo. Ever since then he has always had Volvo cars.
Thank you for sharing the tour! Enjoyable to hear the reverse gear in action. You should have done a couple of laps in the roundabout. I have the same model in left hand drive with desert sand color and brown saddle interior now in the garage getting the hydraulic clutch put in. A 1965 wagon with over 400,000 miles on the chassis. Dad bought it new. It took me through college. We Yanks had a saying for the 122S series, "Old Volvos never die. They move to Santa Cruz."
They really were solid well engineered cars, nothing Ford or BMC made could touch them for either quality or reliability.
They were fairly rust resistant but once it got hold they like everything else got ruined.
Engines were simple pushrod motors, but the front suspension was coil spring and wishbone.
A friend had one for many years and it had been his everyday car, he looked after it and it responded by clocking up an
amazing milage and still managed to remain reliable.
My late father Harry Cornish had the same wagon and year 1966 (in the color beige). Of all the vehicles he owned (which were many) this model was his favorite...( He had his first speeding ticket in it. Lol) Thanks for the ride down memory lane! Cheers!🇬🇧👍🇺🇸
High school mate had one back in the 70s and I always admired the style and engineering. It was everything a car should be with incredible dependability.
Love all these classics and such a down to earth person explaining all about them . Thankyou
Aw what a review Brilliant Ian just keep it up showing us these gems when you can!!!
They were so simple to work on.
This makes me want to look for one to buy.
They were great fun in the Canadian winters here in Canada.
Hello HubNut,
thank you for this Volvo video.
I had two of those. At first a V70 Estate (5 cyl. 2,5 ltr. 144 hp, fwd) and after that a 240 Estate (4 cyl. 2,3 ltr. 116 hp, rwd). Two very different cars, but both very fun to drive, very solid vehicles.
The Amazon sounds amazing, just like my 240.
Greets from Germany and go on
My family bought a 122 in 1966... Drove round Europe with the whole family, camping...happy memories. It lasted well, in Jamaica, despite few parts being available
Took me back to 1977 my apprenticeship days when I used to get a lift from a work colleague in his Volvo 122 estate... He had an eight-track tape deck... Thanks for jogging my memory...
The Amazon is a great little car. I never had a chance to have one. My Volvos were a 1959 544, 1973 145, 1986 745GLE, 1988 745GLE, 1989 744GLE twin cam, 1979 242, 1991 244 and a 1995 945. I still have the 89 740, 91 244 and the 95 940. The others succumbed to the Midwest Rust Monster. Most achieved more than 200,000 miles. The 86 745 had 320K. I just came off of a 1000 mile trip in the 945 which is at 265K miles. It cruises, easily, at 70 mph+. Thanks for the test drive of a classic Brick.
Not heard a reverse growl like that for a long long time.
Lovely wasn't it? No way I could edit that out.
It was perfect.
Best camera angle you have ever done.
Fond memories of this type of Volvo. Parents had a 1963 121 with B18 from about 1969 to 1974 took us and tons of luggage on many, many trips, always with a roof-rack fully loaded. Dad only gave it up because of poor fuel economy at the time of the 1970s fuel crisis.
The Amazon is one of the most elegant, reliable and powerfull car ever produced.
I had a 1960 122 in the 80's, the choke would slide in by itself and the right hand indicator had to
be held on, the drivers window could be pushed down by hand, which was a bonus because the
drivers door lock didn't work. Best heater ever and no break downs. Great car!
This car is super cool and it's so well kept. Big thumbs up to the owner. So glad you made this video too Ian.
Being a huge Volvo fan, loved this video. Never been in an Amazon but it was fascinating to experience the lovely sounds and relaxed nature of it. Can see where modern Volvos got their heritage
Thank you for the different camera angle! Spot on and much appreciated by us weirdos who love to see the whole operation. And the view of the road is a delicious bonus!
Absolutely great and lovely cars! I enjoy mine very much, and have done so for the past 14 years. Never want another car!
Comment 500 Revisiting old vids to help you out. I've been following since classic hub days. Crazy how time has flown.
I missed the NEC.
A friend of mine had a saloon Volvo 122, RTJ150C, he let me drive it, so, me being me, I drove it, nursing it, double de-clutching! It was a good, smooth drive!! Another great video! Including shooing the cat!!
This one I had to see. When I was boy my Aunt had the sedan version she bought new in 1963 (in Sweden). I loved to ride around Seattle in it with her. This brought back some great memories. If I didn't find such a great deal on the scrap MGB's, that is what I would have looked for. Thanks Ian!
Nice! A very, very usable vehicle. Safe, reliable, easy to work on and stylish in a restrained, Swedish way. Used to see these cars all over the place and the Amazon was a typical first car for many young people 30-35 years ago. Then, suddenly, good surviving cars became quite rare and the enthusiasts came in. An Amazon can be used as an everyday car, but these cars do rust a bit (they are old now) and engines with dual Strombergs will sooner or later make you swear.
Should note: When the dual SU carbs get worn, they start leaking air around the throttle plate shaft and that causes bad idling and makes the engine overheat. Local shop that specialized in old Volvos, would rebore, install brass sleeves and line bore the carb's bodys to repair, after brazing in any wear on the throttle plate shafts. Best $200 spent on making an old red B engine idle and drive well in city traffic.
Hi great car to drive , good to work on simple layout. Nice to see one in action again. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.👍
I had 1966 122S. Same color loved the baa wop exhaust Simple but safe. Reliable!!
A friend of the family had one of these back in the 70's and changed it for an Escort Mk1 estate. Never got to go in the Amazon, but the video made up for that. Also a steamed up window added to the 70's experience. Thanks Ian another good choice of car!
My first boss had a 4-door 122S/ B18 (can't recall the year of manufacture) that I drove regularly. I found it a pleasure to drive - twin carbs! - although the steering was a bit rubbery and handling was wallowy on the bends. I loved the look, especially: solid, handsome, and - my fave - a painted metal dash, so much a feature of cars from the '50s/ 60s. Sod the safety - bring 'em back!
Volvo 122 is a work of art, first car I got to drive as a kid. The car was my grandfathers. Maybe find an older PV444/544 for a spin, stunning cars. Or a newer 140 series. Utilitarian beauty.
Another great road test! When I was young, I recall a TV ad for the Volvo 122 (mid-'60s vintage), boasting of an average lifespan of 11 years for Volvos...later, when I lived in Australia in the mid-1970s, I read that the lifespan had jumped to more like 17 years for the Volvos (by then, of course, the 240 and 260-series)...
Have always lusted after one of these. Prices have quite rightly rocketed past my grasp now. Have had a few Volvo's, best one was a stunning Volvo 740 turbo estate. Huge fun to drive.
When I was young I was obsessed with wipers , and the different types , on vehicles, I think I still am when you talk about them
What a lovely old car and in great condition too for its age. Thanks for sharing your drive Ian
The 120 series were a serious work horse of a car,i worked for a Volvo dealer as an Apprentice Mechanic back in the day,when these were still relatively new, the 122S was the one with twin carbs, they went quite well for a car of its time,watching this video brings back a lot of good memories
My father had an estate (LHD) twin carb B18 & a 2 door amazon (black with red roof) and a whole host of 140s up until 1995. I have carried on the Volvo tradition with my own '72 144. I just love old Volvos. An dark green Amzon came up for sale couple of years ago but I was out of the country at the time, sickened. The old Volvos have a very distinct smell, takes me right back to the 70's.
They are lovely cars! My parents had a white '66 4 door when I was little. As for the remote servo, I used to put them either in the boot, or under the dash on the near side with a non return valve. Worked very well indeed & reduced under bonnet clutter. I'm fitting one in the boot of my YB Cosworth turbo powered Ford Corsair (RetroFord mag March 2008). Will be fitting a diesel vacuum pump alternator alternator & larger pulley to reduce the revolutions due to the petrol engine! My wife's SBC V8 HC Viva will be getting one under the dash. Cheers. Leigh.
Now I desperately want one. What have you done?!
Also. Galvanised sills. Those Swedes are full of good ideas.
My '82 244 stood in a garden for 15 years after her first owner died. There are rust spots on the bonnet, roof and doors, but the structural parts of the shell (sills, floor pan, suspension turrets / mounting points etc) are all clean. It's as though the whole bottom half of the car was made of some rot repelling super material. I am certainly not complaining.
Those Swedes are full of good ideas. except politics (shhhhhhhhh)
@ferkemall they are awesome cars. I prefer the look of the sedans but the wagons are so practical - great camping cars with an air mattress in the back!
The entire series of Volvo 122 "Amazons" were fantastic cars. They were safe, reliable, long lived, easy to work on, fairly economical, and they performed and handled quite well for a European car of that era. I did a total ground up resto-mod of a two tone red & white 67 122S amazon coupe for my eldest daughters first car back in the late 90's. She loved it so much that she kept it to adulthood and planned on keeping it forever. Unfortunately, her ex-husband fell asleep at the wheel on the way home from work and totaled it, but "fortunately" I had equipped it with a full racing harness so he was not seriously injured. The specialty cars, trucks, off road vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and RV''s that I owned numbered somewhere well into the hundreds, but I always had an appreciation for the old Volvos. Possibly due to the fact that in my youth I had traded my nice solid 544 coupe for a stunningly beautiful Arbor Green Poly 1961 Chevy Impala SS convertible that was the love of my life.
One of the best test drives Ian loved it ... seemed like you loved it also !
My '94 940 estate is onto 289k and thanks to the rustproofing and the inch thick paint it still looks new. That the engine is now up to 208 bhp without a turbo is just my own little indulgence. ;)
The parents of a friend of mine used to have an Amazon. I loved it.
The most amazing thing is that the seats have springs, kind of like a mattress. That makes bumps in the road almost non-existant. Why don't more cars have that? It is hilarious how you stay pretty much at the same level, while the rest of the car moves up and down.
LimaVictor Amazon front seats normally have webbing actually. You can get springed conversions for the fronts.
Whist still a child in the late 50's a neighbour had a saloon Amazon. The biggest attraction of Volvos through the 50's and 60's was their rust protection compared to British cars such as the infamous Vauxhall Victors of around 1960. It wasn't until the 80's that British cars rust protection met the 50's standards of Volvo.
Nice video. My first thought was "An Amazon - seen lots of those" but then realized I have seen lots of PHOTOS of them but never been in one or possibly even seen inside one - so it was a revelation. Big part of why I enjoy your vids - it's an experience, not just a picture. In my opinion the best camera angle for being on board for the drive, too. Though I did want to reach your and tuck the bloody camera lead under your arm lol
I needed a longer lead. As it happens, I seem to have lost that microphone...
Ah - that was the one that eloped with the Rover keys, then. Hope you find both - or at least one...
My Dad had one of these for 17 years. He bought it when I was 2 years old. When I passed my test at 17 years of age I had the exhaust manifold glowing cherry red giving my friends a lift to the Gordon Arms in Peterborough. As a kid we drove from Peterborough to Butlins in Minehead with my three sisters in the back seat and me in the back with the luggage. Thought about buying one but even a barn find crate costs a fortune.
Takes me back to my mum's 245glt estate,in racing gold with black leather.
Not an Amazon,but it was a nice car as a teenager and introduced me to the delights of cleaning alloy wheels.
the laycock overdrive had a planetary gearset and a cone clutch, similar to an automatic transmission. the electric circuit engaged/disenenged a hydralic piston arrangement that moved the cone clutch to select direct drive or overdrive. early ones used transmission gear oil and wouldnt operate when cold, later ones used automatic transmission fluid, resolving the cold operation issue
If you want an estate buy a Volvo!.....lol....Only experience I have of Volvo estates is a 740 (which was nice if a bit staid looking) and & 850 2.3 turbo (at the time was a real flying machine!.. And both of which were works cars)....the 850 would do Hull to Leeds in under an hour!....but back then they didn't have speed cameras on the M62!... Oh the good old days!
We had a red 1967 Amazon 123GT sedan when i grew up, it wasnt in the best condition, but it was a great car. I have since that loved the Amazon, especially the design, i would love to own one some day. I still have the horn button from that car somwhere which had GT printed on it. I still have my trusty 940 estate which i have owned for 14 years, its great, love it also.
I thought I was watching a What Car video when you sat in the back - was waiting for you to do the banana test! Another nice old car
When you're talking about the advantages of older cars from this era, ground clearance is a big one, I used to take my Amazon on jeep trails and onto gravel bars on the McKenzie river, I really doubt that an 850 could go the places I've driven to in my 122.
Can't stand the things, too tall overly heavy and gas hoggish. My Amazon and '69 SAAB 96 were great cars for gravel and backroad explorations. Very low first gear and excellent weight balance over the driving wheels.
You should look up one of the old Top Gear specials in which James May takes an 850R into the African continent.
@@Lenny-kt2th Yeah, that car got towed out of the ruts a lot, that wasn't a great comparison. My wife holed the oil filter on a moderately rutted gravel road with our T5... So no, the 850 wagon turbo with the 15" low profile wheels/tires and OEM suspension mods doesn't have a lot of ground clearance. That I have to jack it up to do an oil and filter change, speaks volumes, by comparison our122 had oodles of ground clearance and was a doddle to do an oil change on.
The model which was responsible for the Durability legend of Volvos,sturdy and strong,strongly mechanical,way overbuilt by todays standards,simply wonderful!
Great review, handy that TH-cam popped it into my timeline today as I was looking at one to run for my food business and to take to the odd show, if ever we get to go to car shows again!
I don't even have a car, but I appreciate your passion and engineering.
Very nice review of the car of my childhood. Also very nice to be able to see what is going on both inside and outside the car while you drive it:-)
Now all I need to do is sort out the bloody camera shake...
I used to see these a lot when I was a kid in the early 70's and I always liked them. Looks really easy and relaxing to drive. I don't think that indicator stalk is like that by design though, I suspect fettling is required.
For me, an estate with the B20 engine and overdrive is the ideal spec. It must be cavernous with the back seat folded down! Ideal for carting drum kits, guitar amps and old hi fi gear around. Or throw a mattress in the back and kip in it!
What a FABULOUS car!
I've owned two estates and a 2- door. Man I miss them...
I remember those, brings back memories of LUW 233D, my old overdrive in 3rd and 4th gear Triumph 2000 estate. The only car I ever had with overdrive switched by a button on the top of the gear knob. Had spark plug extensions in the head, to stop the plugs fouling due to excessive oil consumption; bought for the princely sum of £20 + 5 bob for 2 Stromberg carburettor rubber diaphragms to get her running, those were the days. Gone but not forgotten, those heady days of innocence in ignorance of what was to come......
This is a car nuts Ultimate slow tv. Great to be taken back home to England for a drive at bedtime.
Excellent commentary as well. “Look before you leap love”. 😁 often used.
Lovely car.Ive always fancied one of these, either the estate or 123 Gt . Another great video Ian!
I had a British racing green Amazon estate when I lived on Orkney as a daily driver in the 90s. I drove it once from Orkney to Newcastle, caught the ferry to Bergen, drove it to the Baltic and back. I saw less than a handful of estates on the trip. The dynamo brushes wore out in Oslo. I went to the first motor factors and they had them on the shelf. My car was a ‘63. The car was more than thirty five years old then. I should have kept it, but I sold it for a Saab 900 16v
The amazon is my favourite Volvo great video
A true classic.
My parents had a 264GLE (with cassette recorder!) 740 GL and 850 5 cilynder.
Mike Hydropneumatic it had a cassette *recorder*?! so you could record radio shows on the move...?
@@RWL2012 indeed - the top spec 240s / 260s had the Volvo 'Top Executive' head unit which had a separate mic on a stretchy cable that plugged into the dash and could be used as a dictaphone. And yes, you could also use it to tape off the radio. There was a separate LED digital display module available that showed the station frequency, time and temp, despite the head unit itself having an old-style analogue display. They even offered a 'Microprocessor' unit with an early version of RDS and a built-in&in CB radio! The stereos in early (pre 1986 facelift) 240s were made by Mitsubishi and were really rather good, especially for the late 70s.
Richard Edwards oh wow, thanks for the info!!!
Roger Moore RIP aka Simon Templar drove a Volvo P1800 in the popular 60s TV series "The Saint". That was an extremely stylish car for its time, of Italian design, which I believe had a twin carb souped up version of the 1800cc Amazon engine. That engine reportedly would do near to a million miles without an overhaul. For those old enough to recall, Simon Templar's car had the registration plate: ST1.
I like the angle you filmed this at, makes me feel like I'm in the passenger seat :D
I can safely say I have never seen one of these in my life. What a beauty!
ive never driven one of these. but , i do know how to drive a manual. thank you my friend for not being afraid to drive a manual.
Apart from an odd wobbly bit in the back...which sounds like s spare-wheel panel moving when you hit a pothole or something...there doesn't seem to be many rattles or squeeks...and the engine and road noise seems quiet too....nice car. :)
thesunreport It's the rear number plate as it doesn't lock in place. It's done it since the day I bought it! Character I guess!
haha...yes...it's a lovely car. :)
Never overlook the Volvo 340 Ian if you want outdated charm. They went on to 1991 - imagine what modern machinery they were competing with then !!
Would like to find a nice 340 or 360 I have a 940
Great review! A BMC Farina built up to a quality instead of the BMC built down to a price is a good summary. The true glory for me is that split tailgate. I'm a very big fan of those......... Perfect for sitting to drink tea!
Love it. I had a 145 many years ago. I loved that as well
Oh bloody ell this is putting a tear in my eye father had 1965 two door in 1966 it was a car I never drove I absolooooootly love this gen of volvo I remember how classy it felt then compared to our farm morris 1000 van...Cheers ian ...wonder wot dads two door would be worth now in good nick...??? Thanks from dave
Great vid mate!! We have the saloon version with Bilstein dampers, slighter lowered, less body roll.
TH-cam needs to add a 'Love button'.
When I was a boy living in Brussels circa 1970, one of my friends dad was a doctor and he had one of these in green - lovely car - I remember thinking it was huge and really cool.
My parents had one of those when I was a kid, between 1977 - 1981. It was a 1967 in some kind of foot-fungus yellow/green colour. Still after all these years, everything about it feels familiar. Not very common anymore, not even here in Sweden - but when I do see one, I'm amazed of how small they look compared to any modern Volvo. Sadly, my only really strong memory of that car was when the drive shaft broke off, during a holiday trip to a ski resort. There was a bang and then the most horrible noise and the car was unable to go any further. As a small kid, I could off course not understand what had happened, so I got really scared. Somehow my dad got hold of a break-down truck and later we could continue the trip in a rented, by that time brand-spanking-new, Volvo 343, which was intensly brown just about everywhere. (Maybe you should try to drive one of those if you haven't done it yet - might be interesting, if not pleasant...)
And, speaking of over drive - a later car in the family, a 1979 244 GL in dog-poo yellow, had that little overdrive button on the shift-knob. It looked like a device that the Q-devision of the James Bond-movies would have put there... It was always like a big thing when my dad pushed that button. I had no idea what it did, but the name overdrive sounded so cool, it had to be something really special and cool.
I owned a '74 164E in the early '80s. And a '75 SAAB 99 EMS. Both fuel injected. The Volva an auto, the SAAB a 4 speed mani-pedi.
I think the native design was for Left-hand drive, and hence the brake booster located on the left side of the engine bay, as well as indicator stalk on the left side of the steering wheel.. The 'Amazon' series were seen as having the longest useable life of a car by a commercial manufacturer, and Volvo presented this as part of their advertising, and safety was a high priority, as well as protection in the event of a collision..
You don't see many of these on the roads today,what a nice example of a Volvo 122,ive seen the saloon version but not the estate one.
What a lovely classic you need one in the HubNut fleet
The 140 gearshifting mechanism fits on the amazon so it is possible to have a 140 short shifter very easy,so people also put early Saab 900 seats in the front for comfort..
Years ago I had a 1961 vauxhall cresta with a three speed coulomb gear change that was fitted with an electric overdrive but the best part about it was the switch as the car has a wrap around windscreen the switch was located in the corner of the windscreen surround so that when you had both hands on the wheel I could just reach over with my small finger and top the switch and turn it on or off.
Good looking car !thanks for sharing both my parents drove 70s Wagons for twenty years I’ve been looking for a decent 1960s Wagon in the United States as I’ve seen a couple Hot Rod ones I thought were pretty cool