Looking for general advice on buying an Amazon

[LynnS]

I've hankered after an Amazon for 20 years - it's my dream car. I'm suddenly in a position to buy one, but it might be a crazy idea, so I'd welcome some advice and guidance before I make a rash decision that I regret.

I don't have the time, space, inclination or skill to do any restoration or maintenance myself. I just want to own it and drive it. Is that unrealistic? If I bought something in reasonable condition, would it be easy to find a London-based garage to deal with ongoing maintenance and repairs?

[agent_strangelove]

The body is the biggest issue. Rust is very expensive to fix and takes skills to do it right.

Engine, brakes stuff like that are fairly cheap to fix.

Get a person knowledgeable with amazon's to look at the car before buying it. This board has a good range of folks. Should be able to find someone close to where ever the car is, who would look at a car or know of the specific car.

As you use the car more and more, the bug will get fewer and fewer. I have a daily driver 122s I have driven almost daily for 20+ years. I would guess it averages a 1-3 hours a month to keep it on the road. Some months nothing, other months it's more. I do my own work but budget in some monthly costs if someone else is going to keep it on the road.

Good luck.

[123GT-AMAZON]

hi ya lynnS

if you get stuck or find a car you would like help looking over im not far from you also the oldvolvoman aka tony barret is close to you .

in a month or so we will have a two door in metalic grey up for sale i can pass some contact info over to you if thats also any use

http://phoenix-classic-restorations.co.uk/index.html

kind regards
robert

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by LynnS

I've hankered after an Amazon for 20 years - it's my dream car. I'm suddenly in a position to buy one, but it might be a crazy idea, so I'd welcome some advice and guidance before I make a rash decision that I regret.

I don't have the time, space, inclination or skill to do any restoration or maintenance myself. I just want to own it and drive it. Is that unrealistic? If I bought something in reasonable condition, would it be easy to find a London-based garage to deal with ongoing maintenance and repairs?

Get someone who knows the cars to go along with you and wait for a very good example to come along.

Find a good mechanic who knows old cars and take her there regularly to keep her in top notch condition and you should be fine. They're well built, just old so if things have been maintained and fixed when necessary they'll keep going nicely.

[LynnS]

Robert, it's great to know that there's a classic Volvo specialist in London - I hadn't come across Tony Barrett in any of my internet searches.

I might well be interested in the metallic grey two-door, so please keep me posted.

Lynn

[123GT-AMAZON]

Hi Ya LynnS

i will keep you updated in regards about the metalic two door amazon its in the bodyshop atm so we should have it back in a week-or two all freshly coated

kind regards
robert

[heckflosse]

Originally Posted by LynnS

Robert, it's great to know that there's a classic Volvo specialist in London - I hadn't come across Tony Barrett in any of my internet searches.

I might well be interested in the metallic grey two-door, so please keep me posted.

Lynn

I've always found Tony Barrett to be immensely helpful (The Old Volvo man), and Robert is a complete Amazon nut, so both are worth talking to .
Happy hunting!
James (now Amazon less)

[LynnS]

Just spotted this Amazon 123 for sale in Chichester, Sussex - http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C484026

It's not my neck of the woods, but I'll be in East Sussex on Saturday, and it's possible I could make a detour to look at the car on Sunday. How would I go about finding a knowledgeable Amazon person who could advise me?

Also spotted this one - http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C470228 - which is even closer to where I'll be staying on the Saturday. It looks like a complete restoration job. If the price is right, I wouldn't rule that out as an option (especially now I know about the Old Volvo Man, who's just a couple of miles from where I live). There are very few details in the listing, but from the pics, £2950 seems like a lot of money, when the Chichester one seems to be in much better condition and is £3950.

[Dibble]

Hi Lynn, I have used Tony Barrett on a few occasions and he was particularly helpful when I had a problem with my upholstery whilst restoring my Amazon 3 years ago. He is straight and to the point but very helpful and knowledgeable.
Good luck in your search. Hopefully you will get a good one and I am sure you will be very pleased when you find your car. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions on this Forum. Lots of good guys on here.

[Dibble]

Chichester one looks good. 123GT's are the most desirable Amazons. Let us know how you get on.