With the nights drawing in and the temperatures dropping, you’ll need a classic that is strong, reliable and stylish. Keith Moody thinks a Volvo Amazon might be the ideal candidate

When the buzzing alarm crashes into my restful reverie, the bedside clock blinks 6.55am. Outside it’s dark, cold and inhospitable. The roads are icy, there’s frost on the windscreen and suddenly running a classic every day doesn’t seem to make much sense. Unless you’re in a Volvo Amazon, that is.

You see, in the short time I’ve spent behind the wheel of this 122S, I’ve come to the conclusion that when the clocks go back and the temperature drops, there really isn’t a better motor for tackling my 60-mile daily commute. Sure, the Amazon might not boast heating to its windscreen, mirrors and seats like many modern cars, but it does start first time, every time – which is a damn site more than can be said for most classics I’ve run at this time of the year.

And once you’re on the move, the heater soon kicks in and you find yourself snug and warm within its spacious, elegant cabin. It’s the automotive equivalent of a large Courvoisier and a Montecristo at seven-thirty in the morning. Try saying that about your Mondeo.

HISTORY
Such stonking winter credentials are hardly surprising given the Amazon’s Swedish heritage. Here is a country that spends several months each year under a blanket of snow and 24-hour darkness… no wonder they’re fond of fondue, seek solace in steam rooms and make time for massages.

The Amazon began life at the end of the Fifties to replace the PV series. Designer Jan Wilsgaard aimed to create a car that was stylish and solid – but there were limitations to the project. The new car had to share the same 102.4in (2.6m) wheelbase as the PV, as well as the same engines and gearboxes. That, however, was where the similarities ended.

Initially badged the Amason (no emails please, that’s not a mistake!), the car was renamed after scooter manufacturer Kriedler claimed ownership of the brand. Volvo was allowed to use the tweaked Amazon badge for the domestic market, but exports were referred to simply as the 120-series.

Which is fairly confusing, given that none of the cars ever wore that badge. Instead, the model range comprised the 121, 122, 123 and 221, 222 derivatives, as well as 131 and 132. The 122S we’ve got here today is a four-door saloon powered by a 1.8-litre version with twin SU carburettors – in my opinion, the best of the bunch.

SAFETY FAST
Despite the saucy SUs and the many Amazons that take part in historic motorsport races, Volvo is perhaps best known for making cars that are reliable and safe – and the 120-series is where it all started. Within six months of the 122S going on sale in 1956, front seatbelts were fitted to all Amazons – a first for an international car maker. By the end of 1965, all Amazons were equipped with dual circuit, servo-assisted brakes.

Later, Volvo would go on to redesign passenger seats for maximum comfort, even going so far as to consult medical experts. There were also new fabrics and construction techniques to make sure that accidents did not occur because drivers weren’t sitting comfortably or injuries sustained because occupants were not properly located.

SWEDISH INVADERS
Despite our love affair with British-built cars, plenty of Amazons made their way on to UK roads, with Volvo importing new cars via the Brooklands Motor Company. While the Amazon had a pre-tax price of £923, you’d end up paying £1399 by the time duties had been added.

Potentially, such a high purchase price could have spelled the end for the Amazon but help was at hand. An early execution was avoided by Mike Hawthorn’s review of a 122S in the Sunday Express newspaper. In it, he said that its conservative and staid image could be forgiven as soon as the car was opened up. A standing quarter-mile time of 19 seconds was recorded and he reckoned it was ‘as fast and vivid as a rocket burst’. The Motor also agreed, describing it as ‘a Swedish family saloon offering performance with a kick in it.’

While today’s example doesn’t quite fulfil those ambitious expectations, it feels every inch the reliable, long-legged cruiser that you’d expect from this Scandinavian charmer. I think I’m right in saying that, originally, the 1.8-litre was available from 1961 in a range of three different power outputs: 90bhp, 95bhp and 100bhp. Sadly, the lack of history with this car makes it hard to tell which one this is. I’m sure someone out there would be able to help with the identification but, in truth, after more than 40 years of motoring I’d wager that the lines between the various power outputs are just a little bit blurred. If someone does know how to tell these cars apart though, do get in touch.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
As you’ve probably guessed, we love our Amazons here at Classic Car Mart: it’s hard to think of a better car in which to tackle regular journeys during the often-unforgiving British winter months. They’re comfortable, willing, reliable and easy(ish) on the wallet. And while this particular engine doesn’t feel quite as fast as it once would’ve done, there’s still plenty of torque on tap and it easily copes with shifting all that weight. Even better, the suspension swallows up the worst of the bumps on Cambridgeshire’s badly surfaced, heavily subsided highways and byways.

If you’ve never driven an Amazon before, it might take some time to get used to the manual gearbox, which like so many cars of this era suffers from a washy and ponderous change, making first and reverse sometimes hard to locate. That said, once you get the hang of it you’ll never struggle again.

So, if you’re looking for a classic to see you through the winter months, why not consider...

THINKING OF BUYING ONE?
Despite their age, rust isn’t normally a big problem with Amazons – but their Achilles heel is a leaky front or rear screen. If the windscreen has been leaking, it’s the bulkhead that will go first. The walls of the footwells are also vulnerable – remove the cardboard to check condition. Another grot spot is the rear wheelarches, although serious rust is unlikely. You must check the quality of repairs carefully: the arch lip is double-skinned and many repairers don’t recreate the seam by the corner of the rear door.

Check inside the boot for rust: check the spare wheel well to make sure the drain hole hasn’t become blocked. Also examine the bottom edge of the boot lid, which is double-skinned and prone to rust.

The front wings can rust, as can the bottom of the doors, so be sure to check them over across the full length of the sills. The area around the headlamp bowls can also fill with mud. Front and rear bumpers are heavy chrome so repair or replacement can be expensive.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find that the Amazon’s engine is as strong and long lasting as its bodywork: 150,000 miles is easily notched up – as long as it’s properly serviced. Make sure that the oil filter is the correct Volvo item as anything else will starve the bearings of oil when starting from cold. If there’s a thump at cruising speed, the timing gears might have worn.

Price-wise, the newer and later cars with bigger engines are more expensive. The 123GT is the most expensive and the 1.6-litre 121 the most affordable. For a restoration project you’ll be looking at around £500 while a decent B16-engined 122S is worth £3000.

Insurance Quote
Comprehensive cover for a 25-year-old, two year’s no claims, clean licence, 10,000 miles, only car, kept on driveway, club member: £638 (£300 excess)

Comprehensive cover for a 50-year-old, full no claims, clean licence, 3000 miles, second car, garaged, club member: £83.25 (£100 excess).

Quotes from Carole Nash (0800 7819289)

THANKS TO
Paul Argus at The Shilling Years. This car is for sale at £3200 – if you’re interested, give Paul a call on 07968 75 35 45 or visit: www.theshillingyears.co.uk

SPEC

1967/8 VOLVO AMAZON 122S
Engine: 1778cc/4-cyl
Power: 90bhp at 5000rpm
Torque: 105lb-ft at 3500rpm
Top Speed/0-60mph: 94mph/15secs
Consumption: 28mpg
Gearbox: 4-spd man
Length: 14ft 7in (4.45m)
Width: 5ft 4in (1.62m)
Weight: 2400lb (1090kg)

Published in the February 2010 issue of Classic Car Mart.

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