Amazon: Planning to buy...

[Opopanax]

Hello everybody,

I am planning on buying an Amazon. Been in love with this car for more than 40 years, and finally making the plunge...

I want to plan out what will be absolutely necessary to check/replace, so thought of throwing the question to you guys/galls

What are the problems I might encounter (specifically for this car):
- with the braking system?
- with the steering system?
- fuel lines?
- suspension system?

I know these are very general questions, but I want to have an idea of what problems we might encounter. I'm working with a friend, who's a mechanic, and his son, who is a bodyworker (is that a word?), so most things won't be a problem. But they never worked on an Amazon, so better be prepared

Thanks in advance

[Burdekin]

Mechanically they are good, things wear out or rust is the main issue. The B18 is a strong engine but if it needs rebuilding this is the most expensive mechanical cost on the car. To do a full rebuild you are looking at over 2000euros.

The biggest issue with them especially in the UK is rust and this can be expensive to fix. However they were a well made and designed car and are not too hard to repair . New panels and repair panels are good quality and easy to find but they are getting more expensive.

The best advice is to buy a good one that's been well looked after rather than a project. The Dutch love old Volvos so certainly look there for a good one.

[68jackh]

I got mine in |South Africa.

Took a bit of time to get here but it seems to be a good one.

Built in Durban and lived in SA so minimal rust.

I would say however some of the repairs that had been done were very suspicious/dangerous.

As i'm pretty much rebuilding the whole car i just wanted one with minimal/no rust.

Jack

[Opopanax]

Originally Posted by Burdekin

The best advice is to buy a good one that's been well looked after rather than a project. The Dutch love old Volvos so certainly look there for a good one.

We will be doing the engine rebuild ourselves (just finished the rebuild of a Saab 99 engine), so not very concerned about that.

I know that everything depends on the car itself, but is there a general consensus on costs that would be unavoidable? Money is not a problem, but, again, better be prepared...

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by Opopanax

We will be doing the engine rebuild ourselves (just finished the rebuild of a Saab 99 engine), so not very concerned about that.

I know that everything depends on the car itself, but is there a general consensus on costs that would be unavoidable? Money is not a problem, but, again, better be prepared...

I can’t really think of any costly inherent mechanical faults to look out for. The suspension might be tired so might need doing; bushes, springs dampers. Brakes are the same, just need checking and replace what is required but they are good quality. The Amazon was a well built car which used good parts. The engines are strong and can rev all day long. From that era the Amazon would be a hard car to beat.

[Burdekin]

Worth a read: https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/prof_120.shtml

[Opopanax]

Originally Posted by Burdekin

I can’t really think of any costly inherent mechanical faults to look out for. The suspension might be tired so might need doing; bushes, springs dampers. Brakes are the same, just need checking and replace what is required but they are good quality. The Amazon was a well built car which used good parts. The engines are strong and can rev all day long. From that era the Amazon would be a hard car to beat.

Okay, less to worry about than other cars that age, got it!

All there is to it now, is finding the perfect candidate...

Thank you all for the responses

[simon roberts]

Join Amazon 122S forum on FB...admin by Bart Coppens lots of Amo activity in Holland and Belge😜