Volvo Amazon expert required!
Discussion
Good morning all,
Having an (un) healthy interest in cars, and a reputation amongst friends for such, often leads to requests for advice and so on.
A chap has approached me for advice on how to market his 1965 Volvo Amazon as he's slimming his collection of cars down owing to advancing years etc. These things are well outside of my own field of specialist knowledge (such as it is).
Is there anyone on here who can point me in the direction of foibles particular to the marque, or interested parties, before I pop it on Car and Classic?
Many thanks,
MV
Having an (un) healthy interest in cars, and a reputation amongst friends for such, often leads to requests for advice and so on.
A chap has approached me for advice on how to market his 1965 Volvo Amazon as he's slimming his collection of cars down owing to advancing years etc. These things are well outside of my own field of specialist knowledge (such as it is).
Is there anyone on here who can point me in the direction of foibles particular to the marque, or interested parties, before I pop it on Car and Classic?
Many thanks,
MV
Another recommendation for Volvoforum
I get on there at least once a day in the 940/960 section. There's a tech side and an advert side
Drop me a line if you want me to place an ad for him, if he isn't registered.
Might even buy it myself if the wifes not watching........I like the old Amazon
Actually fancy an 1800S or even an ES but the driveway is only so long....
I get on there at least once a day in the 940/960 section. There's a tech side and an advert side
Drop me a line if you want me to place an ad for him, if he isn't registered.
Might even buy it myself if the wifes not watching........I like the old Amazon
Actually fancy an 1800S or even an ES but the driveway is only so long....
No worries, I think an ad on PH is pretty good but maybe limited market for an Amazon, the Volvo forum is excellent and on the 940 section really helpful and friendly so can't see any reason for the Amazon one not being the same.
Also try Car and Classic web site, free ads and avoids a lot of the ebay timewasters.
look forward to seeing it.
Tony H
Also try Car and Classic web site, free ads and avoids a lot of the ebay timewasters.
look forward to seeing it.
Tony H
That looks like a nice car…
Amazons seem quite hard to value - rough cars can go for 3.5 grand, yet sometimes excellent examples will fetch not much more. Estates being an exception as they always go for big money, regardless of condition. 2 Doors seem to fetch a premium over 4 door cars. (I spend far too much of my life thinking about and working on Amazons).
If the bodywork is in good order (around the headlights, inner wing rails, rear arches, door bottoms… and most importantly, the front and rear screens have not leaked and caused havoc inside) I'd put your car in the £5,000 region. The 4 door versions had galvanised sills so these should be ok. If the outriggers underneath are a bit crusty, it might be worth getting them sorted - the parts are only about 40 quid each and a decent welder can do them in under an hour (there are two front and two rear).
Bit of advice: it looks like the dash top may have split in the sun (they all do that, sir) as there appears to be a cover over it. If you want top money, get over to Brookhouse Volvo and buy a new one. They are bloody expensive for what they are (about 300 quid!!) but paying out would be better than losing a sale.
My dash top is pretty knackered… but I call it 'patina' and claim that it "adds character". But then I quite like my classics to not be perfect.
(Meant to respond to this thread earlier, but I've been spending the bank holiday weekend swearing at the rear drums on my Amazon.)
Amazons seem quite hard to value - rough cars can go for 3.5 grand, yet sometimes excellent examples will fetch not much more. Estates being an exception as they always go for big money, regardless of condition. 2 Doors seem to fetch a premium over 4 door cars. (I spend far too much of my life thinking about and working on Amazons).
If the bodywork is in good order (around the headlights, inner wing rails, rear arches, door bottoms… and most importantly, the front and rear screens have not leaked and caused havoc inside) I'd put your car in the £5,000 region. The 4 door versions had galvanised sills so these should be ok. If the outriggers underneath are a bit crusty, it might be worth getting them sorted - the parts are only about 40 quid each and a decent welder can do them in under an hour (there are two front and two rear).
Bit of advice: it looks like the dash top may have split in the sun (they all do that, sir) as there appears to be a cover over it. If you want top money, get over to Brookhouse Volvo and buy a new one. They are bloody expensive for what they are (about 300 quid!!) but paying out would be better than losing a sale.
My dash top is pretty knackered… but I call it 'patina' and claim that it "adds character". But then I quite like my classics to not be perfect.
(Meant to respond to this thread earlier, but I've been spending the bank holiday weekend swearing at the rear drums on my Amazon.)
Faust66 said:
That looks like a nice car…
Amazons seem quite hard to value - rough cars can go for 3.5 grand, yet sometimes excellent examples will fetch not much more. Estates being an exception as they always go for big money, regardless of condition. 2 Doors seem to fetch a premium over 4 door cars. (I spend far too much of my life thinking about and working on Amazons).
If the bodywork is in good order (around the headlights, inner wing rails, rear arches, door bottoms… and most importantly, the front and rear screens have not leaked and caused havoc inside) I'd put your car in the £5,000 region. The 4 door versions had galvanised sills so these should be ok. If the outriggers underneath are a bit crusty, it might be worth getting them sorted - the parts are only about 40 quid each and a decent welder can do them in under an hour (there are two front and two rear).
Bit of advice: it looks like the dash top may have split in the sun (they all do that, sir) as there appears to be a cover over it. If you want top money, get over to Brookhouse Volvo and buy a new one. They are bloody expensive for what they are (about 300 quid!!) but paying out would be better than losing a sale.
My dash top is pretty knackered… but I call it 'patina' and claim that it "adds character". But then I quite like my classics to not be perfect.
(Meant to respond to this thread earlier, but I've been spending the bank holiday weekend swearing at the rear drums on my Amazon.)
Thanks very much for your post Faust; The Amazon is really outside my field of experience, and I've looked over it on behalf of the owner to discuss the best way of achieving a good price. Amazons seem quite hard to value - rough cars can go for 3.5 grand, yet sometimes excellent examples will fetch not much more. Estates being an exception as they always go for big money, regardless of condition. 2 Doors seem to fetch a premium over 4 door cars. (I spend far too much of my life thinking about and working on Amazons).
If the bodywork is in good order (around the headlights, inner wing rails, rear arches, door bottoms… and most importantly, the front and rear screens have not leaked and caused havoc inside) I'd put your car in the £5,000 region. The 4 door versions had galvanised sills so these should be ok. If the outriggers underneath are a bit crusty, it might be worth getting them sorted - the parts are only about 40 quid each and a decent welder can do them in under an hour (there are two front and two rear).
Bit of advice: it looks like the dash top may have split in the sun (they all do that, sir) as there appears to be a cover over it. If you want top money, get over to Brookhouse Volvo and buy a new one. They are bloody expensive for what they are (about 300 quid!!) but paying out would be better than losing a sale.
My dash top is pretty knackered… but I call it 'patina' and claim that it "adds character". But then I quite like my classics to not be perfect.
(Meant to respond to this thread earlier, but I've been spending the bank holiday weekend swearing at the rear drums on my Amazon.)
The dash is actually ok under the carpet like cover, amazing as the car spent its formative years as the property of an ex pat in Zimbabwe. The car is genuine and in near mint condition in, out and underneath.
I see two types of owner for it. One sports a beard and a checked shirt and resides in Islington, the other is a collector/ enthusiast of the marque who wants a show car.
Both, however, will need considerably more than £5k to secure their dream.......
mickyveloce said:
Thanks very much for your post Faust; The Amazon is really outside my field of experience, and I've looked over it on behalf of the owner to discuss the best way of achieving a good price.
The dash is actually ok under the carpet like cover, amazing as the car spent its formative years as the property of an ex pat in Zimbabwe. The car is genuine and in near mint condition in, out and underneath.
I see two types of owner for it. One sports a beard and a checked shirt and resides in Islington, the other is a collector/ enthusiast of the marque who wants a show car.
Both, however, will need considerably more than £5k to secure their dream.......
Cheeky git! The dash is actually ok under the carpet like cover, amazing as the car spent its formative years as the property of an ex pat in Zimbabwe. The car is genuine and in near mint condition in, out and underneath.
I see two types of owner for it. One sports a beard and a checked shirt and resides in Islington, the other is a collector/ enthusiast of the marque who wants a show car.
Both, however, will need considerably more than £5k to secure their dream.......
Not all Volvo drivers conform to such stereotypes… well, maybe just most of 'em.
As I say, they seem to be hard cars to value, but if this one is as mint as you describe then you should get a very good price (it's always hard to gauge a car via photographs). The problem seems to be that as they are not as well-known as MG, Fords or Triumphs of the same era, the really big prices never seem to be reached as they don't attract investors. But that is one of the things I like about them... you can get a good usable car for sensible money.
There are a couple of 2 door Amazon's on Ebay at the moment at around the 10 grand mark which don't seem to be selling…last week a restored 2 door with 18 inch rims (why?!?) was reserve not met at just under 11 grand.
I would ask for advice over on the VOC website. Also, companies such as Amazon cars sometimes sell cars on behalf of owners, and as they have a strong international reputation due to rallying preparation and restoration, it might be worth giving them a call.
I'd also speak to Simon at Brookhouse Volvo - he's a top bloke and may well know of someone looking to buy.
Best of luck with the sale and I hope it all goes well.
Mike
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