1965 Volvo Amazon for Sale

[Keith Moody]

Up for sale is my 1965 Volvo ‘Amazon’ which I have owned for nearly five years.

If anyone reads Practical Classics, then you’ll have seen the car in there a few times over the years.

Lots of happy memories – we drove from Lands End to John o’ Groats in it, regular runs down to the Beaulieu Autojumble and even the odd track day.

The car is in regular use, is great to drive and very reliable.

First, the good bits.

I rebuilt the engine a few years ago – cylinders resleeved, crank reground, new pistons, followers, steel timing gear. Covered about 5k since then.

I have also converted the car from single carb to twin SUs and fitted a D-spec cam and fitted a K&N air filter.

The car has electronic 123ignition, which is fantastic. It has been professionally set up on a rolling road, too.

It rides on 10mm lower Scandix progressive springs and Bilstein dampers, which firm up the ride neatly without making it too harsh.

There is a four-branch manifold and Simons sports exhaust fitted, which I think sounds fantastic.

To make it a bit more comfortable on the motorways, the four-speed gearbox was swapped with an overdrive unit (new UJ, gearbox mount bush fitted at the same time.

Brakes – front discs and new mintex pads fitted 5k ago.

The cooling system has been given some TLC –re-cored radiator, thermostat, hoses; plus re-cored heater matrix and control valve.

Dynamo swapped for alternator.

Halogen headlights with roadrunner spots.

Seatbelts front and rear fitted by Quickfit SBS.

Auxiliary gauges – rev counter, ammeter, oil pressure.

And now the bad… which is mainly to do with the bodywork.

The driver’s side rear arch has started to rust, and there’s some rusting starting on the rear passenger side arch too.

The bottoms of the doors aren’t very pretty, and there are a few bubbles here and there on various panels.

Underneath it’s had a fair bit of welding – again not pretty, but it is solid. The car has also had new inner wings, and the engine bay has been resprayed.

There are no leaks from the windscreen or doors, and all the door seals have been replaced (although boot seal does need doing).

Inside, the seats are starting to wear a little and the dash is cracked.

So no concours winner, but a useable daily driver that’s been neatly modified – it’s never let me down and drives fantastically.

No obvious faults that I'm aware of, but bodywork in need of tlc.

It will come with 12 months’ MoT. Price £3k ono. Any questions (or if you need more pics), drop me a line: keith.moody@practicalclassics.co.uk

[Keith Moody]

...forgot to mention the car also comes with four Michelin XZX 165 R15 tyres with plenty of tread left.

[oddnumber]

That's lovely. I'm in the market for another Amazon, but am off to Cornwall for a week.

Does it need any welding immediately, or potentially for the next MOT? Is it in a condition that would take being used daily?

Thanks

[Keith Moody]

Hi Oddnumber,

The car is in daily use with me and more than copes - drops the girls off at nursery, 30 miles up to work, tools around to the PC workshop and back, another 30 miles home and collection of children.

Did the PC track day in it last week, off to the Humber Bridge Classic Car Show at the weekend. It's a proper daily.

Famous last words, but I don't think it needs anything for the MoT. It'll come with 12 months when sold, so whatever it needs it'll get.

Keith

[swedishandgerman]

£3,000 for that car Mr Oddnumber! I'd send the money across to Mr Moody straight away if I was you...

Collect it on your way down to Cornwall and call in here to show it me on your way!

[oddnumber]

LOL it looks a lot of car for not too much money!

Hopefully it'll still be here when I get back.

[jimbo1593]

does look like a good price, especially if you have followed the work

[jakobandhismakarov]

Yeah, that looks spot-on for a daily driver.

GLWTS.

[Keith Moody]

Cheers chaps.

Just to keep you updated - last week I fitted a Kenlowe blower fan to the car. I know, I know... everyone says you don't need one. But the last bit of my commute is stop-start all the way.

The car has never shown any sign of overheating, but I just figured 'better safe than sorry'.

Also, a couple of people have asked for some grotty shots so I've posted these.

Should also mention that Amazon will be sold with the hub puller.

Keith

[Alf ista]

Best of luck with the sale Keith. Looks like a great car. Will be sad not to read about its exploits in the mag anymore though...