My Amazon!

[TomTom]

Good to hear that the front floor is sound, which bodes well. But I would not think about any carpets until you're sure there are no leaks. Leave Amazons out in a rain-storm and most (by no means all) will let some water in through the windscreen, heater-box etc. There's no point trapping this water under carpet where it will just eat away at the floor. And don't put any of the original jute sound-proofing back in because it slightly acidifies the water, which brings you more problems.

Dynamo/alternator is more to do with which engine you've got and/or what the PO did to the car. A properly functioning dynamo and regulator will allow you to have lights, wipers, heater and radio, but they'll all be a bit worse with a dynamo set-up (songs will be a semi-tone down for example). With heater and lights the AMP light normally glows a wee bit, but that is completely normal. It's when it's full on you have to worry. With alternator you can run all this without the glow.

Tom
PS joking about the semi-tone.

[redcar]

welcome to the forum Robwizard, you've a nice looking car there.

most of the problems you've described, have all been discussed in detail with the lads on here, so you shouldn't have to go too far to find answers and how-to's to your questions..

it shouldn't take you too long to get it into a decent running order as they're tough old cars and very simple to work on.

enjoy your volvo

[Volvo Canadian]

Hi Rob, welcome - and if you only have electrical problems and the bits of rust described, that's pretty-good! Assuming you have a bit of cash, a lot of patience and know how to use a multimeter of-course. I'm sure we would all be interested in hearing why you chose an Amazon.

There are a few long-standing threads on here that begin: "Just bought an old Amazon today, and it looked pretty good until I found the rust on x, y, and z". Although I did not post on here at the time, that was my story pretty-much too, and here is a pic of my car now. I hope your journey is not as long. We like pics on here - if you can find the time to post, you get brownie-points.

Oh - and there is no such thing as a dumb question (ie: dimmer-switch etc...), I constantly learn things on here.

[Tail]

The rust in my rear floors was in the rear corners closer to the outside of the car and coincidentally if you run a plumbline down from the top of the door at the rear it ends up directly over the rusty patches so i put a new set of door rubbers and door frame seals and no more leaks even in the strongest rain and we have had plenty lately.

[robwizard]

Yeah stuff like door seals and what not are some of the first things I would like to attend to along with the electrics etc.. Tomorrow should be productive if I can get home in good time and if it don't rain too much

I will get my filthy hands on a camera and put some pictures up as well.

Cheers

[Alf ista]

Welcome to the forum Rob and to Amazon ownership. You have bought yourself probably the worlds best classic car!! But then like everyone else here I am biased... This is a great place for advice so dont be afraid to ask as there are very knowledgable people here who are only too happy to help. Looking forward to seeing some more pics.
Hugh.

[heckflosse]

The Volvo Amazon is probably THE most useable old car, full stop.
Remember, its a 1950's design.
Fast, easily fixed,lovely steering, good handling and brakes,and with an awesome heater to boot!
Drive any of it's contemporaries and you'll see what I mean.
You can even get bits for them still.


But, they do leak and rot.

140's/240's are great too, for different reasons, then after that they lost the plot a bit...

Have fun, and USE IT !

jAMES.

[robwizard]

Right so today is Sunday.. the day which I planned on sorting the electrics out and giving it a once over. Turns out it needs a fair bit more than a once over..

Basically their is more rust than I initially anticipated, which I expected to be honest, but not in the places I had first thought. I could definitely manage the welding as it's fairly straightforward stuff but I just haven't got the time to do it. I bought this car as it was advertised as being very good condition and it was cheap, I wanted a car I could just jump in and drive.

This is basically more work than I have time to take on at the moment, it's more of a running project than I need right now.. So I will most likely be putting it up for sale and looking out for another one. I will, unlike the bastard that sold it me, put an honest description of the work that needs doing on it.

I feel sort of guilty that I have received such a warm welcome to this forum but never fear! I shall be buying an Amazon!! Just not this one..

I will stick some pictures up probably tomorrow now as I will be too disheartened to take them now lol Will make a sterling running project for someone..

Cheers

[robwizard]

I'm not sure what to do.. is there anyone who lives around the Chester area on this forum who could come and have a gander at the car for me and asses what sort of condition it is in from a better point of view? I mean.. it might be that the rust is totally common and anything I buy is gonna be the same.. or it might be way worse than I could imagine?

I will, as I keep saying.., put some pictures up but I am at a loose end..

Cheers

[Jackman]

Id say put some pictures of the rusty areas up so we can have a look at them and give you our opinion on the rust. I took on my project which was advertised as in ok condition needing a front end. Ive stuck with it knowing once its done its going to be sorted.

Put some pictures up for us all to see, a link to the advert will be useful to if its still about.