Vintage racing a 122S

[RSready]

Hey everyone. This is my first post, so be gentle with me!

I'm an automotive and travel writer and I'm planning a bit of a project and I need some advice. My plan is to buy a Canadian-assembled 122 and drive it across Canada. I am going to be timing my trip to hopefully coincide with a number of vintage racing events. So basically I need the car to be reliable for a long distance journey as well as somewhat trackable. The modifications will be fairly usual, nothing too crazy. Just suspension, brakes, wheels, tires and safety equipment.

I've got a lot of my route planned, however, I'm hitting one major stumbling block - finding the right car!

I've been looking for a 120 series locally and have come across one that checks most of the boxes. It is Canadian made. It has a standard transmission. It is a 122S. The downside is that it is a four-door.

For obvious reasons, a 2-door seems like the best bet. I am resigned the fact I likely won't find a 123 GT. But if I can't find a 2-door, how much difference is there going to a 4-door? What is the weight difference?

I believe that the wagon has a different rear suspension set up, but the 4-door and the 2-door are the same, correct?

I'm just wondering if the difference is significant enough that I should pass on a very clean rust-free 4-door and hold out to find a 2-door.

Thanks in advance!

[Ron Kwas]

RS;

Welcome to the Forum!

I wish I had the time for an adventure as you're planning...actually someone just did a cross-country trip in a vintage Volvo...Amazon or 544...I don't recall...use search function or maybe someone else with a better recollection will chime in...

You might have to look for a while to get a Canadian built Amazon that will make you happy, and one that will give you lots of enjoyment as you motor across the land...and occasionally thrash it around a roadcourse (just remember, you drive it there, and you're going to want to drive it home, so don't hurt it, just drive it like you hate it). A two door will be a bit lighter, sure, but IMO, you're going to get just a big a smile from a four-door. and that will likely be a lot easier to locate!

Cheers from Connecticut!

[volvogv]

Sounds like quite the adventure. As far as modifications go, I think you'll find that restoring worn out parts with new ones will make your car into a highly capable driving machine. I'm running purely stock (B18/M40/2-SU/manual brakes) and I have no trouble keeping up with modern freeway traffic. It's fun to see the surprised looks when I pull out and pass someone!

[john h]

If the 4-door is rust-free and a good price, go with that.

With mild modifications on a Amazon, you'll be having great fun, but probably not winning races - so a tiny weight penalty isn't a big deal.

John

[Derek UK]

+1 to that. Under 100lbs difference between the two and the 4 door is stiffer which is why they get rallied a lot. 4 doors also very compatible with the touring part of the trip. If you can find one with overdrive or get one fitted beforehand, it will make a big difference to your enjoyment of the journey.

If this is just for fun, don't go crazy with the suspension mods. Road miles on race suspension won't be very enjoyable. A good rebuild using IPD parts may be all you need.

Keep us up dated Photos please!!!

[RSready]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I have asked around to all the local Volvo guys and nobody seems to know of any 2-doors for sale. One was for sale a couple of weeks ago, but it was rusted out completely. I'm going to go check out the 4-door this week and hopefully it is as rust free as the owner says.

My one concern about the car is that it has fiberglass fenders. Likely because the steel ones were rusted out? I'll have to check the other trouble spots thoroughly for rust.

[Dirty Rooster]

Originally Posted by RSready

My one concern about the car is that it has fiberglass fenders. Likely because the steel ones were rusted out? .

Unless for lightness?
Check the bonnet and other stuff, maybe someone has done some lightening work. Cool.

[john h]

Originally Posted by RSready

My one concern about the car is that it has fiberglass fenders.

As long as it's solid elsewhere, I'd see that as a positive

[Derek UK]

Plus's and minus's with the glass wings. They are cheap and light but offer very little resistance to even minor bumps. A small accident with steel wings may be fixable with a lever and a hammer to keep you going on a journey or even allow you to make the next race, but fibreglass tends to "explode" and leave you with nothing.
Depending on how you are going to "race", look into the regulations for the class you intend to compete in. It may be that glass wings aren't allowed. Some class regulations are annoyingly picky!