Amazon: - Seat availability

wstlr · Jul 19th, 2021, 16:31

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and I'm on the hunt for a 2 door 122s.

I've wanted an Amazon since I was 17 (now 39) but was discouraged from buying a classic as my first car. Now that I'm in a position to afford one in good condition, have a garage and have the time to look after it, I'd like to drive an Amazon as my daily car (with the exception of the extreme winter months when there's salt on the road).

I spotted a 122s on ebay but at some stage it has had its seats swapped for C70 seats. The interior looks to be otherwise original. My question is, should I consider buying this with the intention to replace the seats with original Amazon seats? Are they hard to come by? A quick search online came up with none currently for sale.

I'm not in a massive rush to buy, so I'd rather wait to find the right car but it occurred to me that if the seat swap was relatively trivial then this could be a contender.

Thanks in advance for any / all advice.

amazon69 · Jul 19th, 2021, 16:55

Welcome to the forum.

It is easy enough to swap seats, but one man's trivial is another man's nightmare, so it's hard to say how you will find it. On a scale of 1-10 (easy-hard) of doing mechanical things I'd say it's about a 2. 3-4 if you have to weld new mounts as I did. Finding original seats is probably easy enough if you ask, but you will probably find original seats need new webbing, foam and covers to be as comfortable as modern seats (probably why the car you saw has different seats). it is possible to get all those things new if you want to make your original seats perfect. Expensive to do that mind.

I would say don't be in a rush...spend time on here, ask questions, look at other people's cars if you can etc. There are some good Facebook groups if you are on there where you can get a look at things and ask more questions.
I have been driving my 131 daily for 15 years, rain and shine, next to the coast in Cornwall, and it never misses a beat and is as reliable as a stick, so it's a perfectly feasible idea.

wstlr · Jul 19th, 2021, 17:07

Thanks for the warm welcome, amazon69.

That's good to know that there are seats available and it's not that challenging to actually replace them.

I appreciate the advice about not being in a rush, whilst I've wanted an Amazon for years, I only made the decision to buy a couple of months ago and will wait to find the right car.

Cheers!

old fart · Jul 19th, 2021, 18:44

I would say that the condition of the body is the most important consideration when buying, followed by the condition and spec. of the running gear. If the seats are the only thing you don't like I'd think seriously about it, as there don't seem to be many really good ones for sale at any one time, and the prices are only going to go up. As for running one as a daily car, I have for the last 7 years, and every run still brings a smile to my face, and that's in a scruffy old thing with modern seats! Good luck, Andy.

wstlr · Jul 19th, 2021, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by old fart

I would say that the condition of the body is the most important consideration when buying, followed by the condition and spec. of the running gear. If the seats are the only thing you don't like I'd think seriously about it, as there don't seem to be many really good ones for sale at any one time, and the prices are only going to go up. As for running one as a daily car, I have for the last 7 years, and every run still brings a smile to my face, and that's in a scruffy old thing with modern seats! Good luck, Andy.

Thanks for the advice, I am conscious that prices seem to be rising quickly and there's only a couple of solid cars for sale at any one time. I'll need to compromise somewhere.

Cheers!

123GT-AMAZON · Jul 19th, 2021, 22:56

That car belonged to a very ! Active forum member and he loved that car took great care of that car so i have no doubt it’s in great condition the seats are easy enough to sort also a great price with a addition to putting in a offer ! I would buy it myself they normally fetch £12-13k so for £10.995 with offer go view it at the very least and make a decision then but if any doubt in your mind then follow your gut instinct.

I would bet that cars in tip top condition I forget the guys name on the forum derek will know him he’s from Wales I think from memory Redcar was his name I think and he had some seats on his loft I know because the c70 seat conversion then the reggy number so know the cars all over the forum 😎👍

All the best
Kind regards
Robert.w

Dibble · Jul 20th, 2021, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstlr

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and I'm on the hunt for a 2 door 122s.

I've wanted an Amazon since I was 17 (now 39) but was discouraged from buying a classic as my first car. Now that I'm in a position to afford one in good condition, have a garage and have the time to look after it, I'd like to drive an Amazon as my daily car (with the exception of the extreme winter months when there's salt on the road).

I spotted a 122s on ebay but at some stage it has had its seats swapped for C70 seats. The interior looks to be otherwise original. My question is, should I consider buying this with the intention to replace the seats with original Amazon seats? Are they hard to come by? A quick search online came up with none currently for sale.

I'm not in a massive rush to buy, so I'd rather wait to find the right car but it occurred to me that if the seat swap was relatively trivial then this could be a contender.

Thanks in advance for any / all advice.

Looks a lovely car and I would listen to what 123GT Amazon has to say. He has great knowledge of Amazon's. Other than the fact that the seats are not original I can vouch for the quality of C70 seats. I have an Amazon and a C70 and can safely say that they are the most comfortable seats of any of the 13 Volvos I have owned. Don't think you will go wrong with this car but I did think that with twin carbs it should be a 122S! The original Amazon seats are very comfortable btw!

JP 1800 · Jul 21st, 2021, 13:32

Sent you a pm.
Regards JP

wstlr · Jul 21st, 2021, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP 1800

Sent you a pm.
Regards JP

Hi JP,

Thanks for your PM. I’m not able to reply because I don’t have over 30 posts but if you’re happy to email me on … (edited) then that would be great.

Cheers,

Kieran

JP 1800 · Jul 21st, 2021, 16:55

Sent you my number via pm.

Regards

Jul 19th, 2021, 16:31	#1
wstlr New Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2022 13:42 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Wells	Seat availability Hi all, I'm new to the forum and I'm on the hunt for a 2 door 122s. I've wanted an Amazon since I was 17 (now 39) but was discouraged from buying a classic as my first car. Now that I'm in a position to afford one in good condition, have a garage and have the time to look after it, I'd like to drive an Amazon as my daily car (with the exception of the extreme winter months when there's salt on the road). I spotted a 122s on ebay but at some stage it has had its seats swapped for C70 seats. The interior looks to be otherwise original. My question is, should I consider buying this with the intention to replace the seats with original Amazon seats? Are they hard to come by? A quick search online came up with none currently for sale. I'm not in a massive rush to buy, so I'd rather wait to find the right car but it occurred to me that if the seat swap was relatively trivial then this could be a contender. Thanks in advance for any / all advice.

Jul 19th, 2021, 16:55	#2
amazon69 Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 17:14 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Falmouth	Welcome to the forum. It is easy enough to swap seats, but one man's trivial is another man's nightmare, so it's hard to say how you will find it. On a scale of 1-10 (easy-hard) of doing mechanical things I'd say it's about a 2. 3-4 if you have to weld new mounts as I did. Finding original seats is probably easy enough if you ask, but you will probably find original seats need new webbing, foam and covers to be as comfortable as modern seats (probably why the car you saw has different seats). it is possible to get all those things new if you want to make your original seats perfect. Expensive to do that mind. I would say don't be in a rush...spend time on here, ask questions, look at other people's cars if you can etc. There are some good Facebook groups if you are on there where you can get a look at things and ask more questions. I have been driving my 131 daily for 15 years, rain and shine, next to the coast in Cornwall, and it never misses a beat and is as reliable as a stick, so it's a perfectly feasible idea. __________________ Falmouth, Cornwall. 1970 California white 131.

Jul 19th, 2021, 22:56	#6
123GT-AMAZON 1800necwinner Last Online: Yesterday 12:07 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Anglia ,Suffolk , uk	That car belonged to a very ! Active forum member and he loved that car took great care of that car so i have no doubt it’s in great condition the seats are easy enough to sort also a great price with a addition to putting in a offer ! I would buy it myself they normally fetch £12-13k so for £10.995 with offer go view it at the very least and make a decision then but if any doubt in your mind then follow your gut instinct. I would bet that cars in tip top condition I forget the guys name on the forum derek will know him he’s from Wales I think from memory Redcar was his name I think and he had some seats on his loft I know because the c70 seat conversion then the reggy number so know the cars all over the forum 😎👍 All the best Kind regards Robert.w __________________ I grew up on classic volvos hence my passion for them born and breed into the lifestyle ! Last edited by 123GT-AMAZON; Jul 19th, 2021 at 22:59.

Jul 19th, 2021, 17:07	#3
wstlr New Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2022 13:42 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Wells	Thanks for the warm welcome, amazon69. That's good to know that there are seats available and it's not that challenging to actually replace them. I appreciate the advice about not being in a rush, whilst I've wanted an Amazon for years, I only made the decision to buy a couple of months ago and will wait to find the right car. Cheers!

Jul 19th, 2021, 18:44	#4
old fart Master Member Last Online: Mar 28th, 2024 14:15 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Droitwich	I would say that the condition of the body is the most important consideration when buying, followed by the condition and spec. of the running gear. If the seats are the only thing you don't like I'd think seriously about it, as there don't seem to be many really good ones for sale at any one time, and the prices are only going to go up. As for running one as a daily car, I have for the last 7 years, and every run still brings a smile to my face, and that's in a scruffy old thing with modern seats! Good luck, Andy.

Jul 21st, 2021, 13:32	#8
JP 1800 Master Member Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 10:52 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dublin	Sent you a pm. Regards JP

Jul 21st, 2021, 16:55	#10
JP 1800 Master Member Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 10:52 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dublin	Sent you my number via pm. Regards

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