Volvo Owners Club Forum - 1963 4-door Amazon 122S

Reluctant sale of my 1963 four door Amazon (122S) that I have owned since September 2009. Family life means I don't have the time to enjoy it any more.

The car runs and drives well. It is tax and MOT exempt and not listed as SORN. It has always been dry stored under my ownership.

Engine is the B18D with twin SU HS6 carbs. It is strong and pulls well, hot compression is around 90 psi across all cylinders. It has not had an unleaded conversion.

M41 gearbox with D type overdrive - I fitted this in 2011. The car still has the standard ratio rear axle but I find the gear ratios are excellent, particularly for cruising. Both master and slave clutch hydraulic cylinders were replaced this year.

The rear suspension was rebuilt in 2015 with a mix of poly and rubber bushes. All components were shot blasted and powder coated. New shocks and springs were fitted and all fasteners were replaced. The front suspension would benefit from some new bushes.

Front brake calipers were new in 2009. The handbrake works well. Rear wheel bearings were also new in 2009. The front tyres are old but serviceable, the rears were new when I bought the car in 2009. A spare wheel is present, but it’s fitted with an ancient tyre which is completely unsuitable for use.

An alternator conversion and halogen headlights are the only non-standard electrical bits. The battery is only a few years old.

Body condition: I believe it is fairly solid. The sills were professionally replaced in 2013 on both sides (inner and outer) with some repairs also made to the nearside floor pan and boot area (spare wheel well) at the same time. Some more work is required now on the offside front chassis box section, but this looks minor at the moment. The front doors are good, but the rear doors have rotted at the bottom. There are the beginnings of some rust showing at the bottom of windscreen on the A pillars. There is also the faintest sign of rust around the headlamp bowls. The rear arches and valances are also a bit tatty but reasonably solid.

Paint: The car was resprayed by the previous owner and looks smart from a distance, but there are patches where the paint adhesion is poor as is beginning to flake/crack. I don’t think the poor adhesion is caused by rust.
The new sills are still in stone chip black. There are a few scuffs and marks to the paint, generally caused by carelessness when moving other things in the garage around the car.

Interior: Generally good with no tears to the upholstery or head lining. The car has new black carpets and underlay.

I still have the original manual and warranty book. I also have receipts for all parts and work done under my ownership.

I am looking for £3750. Please either PM me via the forum or email dgbalfour@gmail.com. More photos available on request.

The car is currently at my parents' house near Chichester (UK) but I plan to bring it back to Bedford where I live soon.