New toy

[crankedup]

Just purchased myself a fun car, and when I tell pub pals what it is there jaws drop to the ground!! Truthfully I never thought of a Volvo as a car that I would buy, but I have, for good reasons.
It's a 1968 Amazon 123 Gt, condition is very good with just the odd few jobs which need attention. Lovely history going back to the buff log book, starts on the first turn of key and keeps up with modern traffic. Will cruise all day at 80mph and returns 23mpg or thereabouts. Virtually all the spares are available both mechanical and body+ interior and superb owners club and forum with lots of enthusiasts happy to offer advise and knowledge. The GT version is rare being homogelates for rallying, not many left apparently but plenty of Amazons dressed as GT versions. Mine is genuine with all numbers matching to original log book. The Amazons are said to be tough as old boots with engines e feeding 200,000 miles before a strip down is required, and then all parts are very inexpensive. What's not to like, it drives well which is icing on the cake. But as with these things sometimes a badge carries certain images and like the Skoda sometimes not in the best of images.
I will see if I can get a few pictures up.

Edited by crankedup on Wednesday 26th October 11:21

[vixen1700]

Well done, I had a 1967 1800S back in the '90s and loved it.

In fact I just bought a 12 year old Volvo at the weekend (not a classic I know), and have fallen in love with it in 500 miles of use since Saturday.

You've gotta love Volvos.

Looking forward to some piccies.

[aeropilot]

Well done, great cars, and as you say, now quite rare.

Back around 1980/81 a guy in my motorclub used to road rally one.

The thing never missed a beat, never broke and just seemed to go on for ever.

[crankedup]

Thanks guys for encouraging comments.

[CABC]

i think one was on circuit at Goodwood MM last March?

[crankedup]

See if I can upload some pictures.

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Just had the rear seat seams re-stitched and now, as you can see, I need to have some work re-stitching the front drivers seat. At the same time I would like to have the drivers seat padding replaced as it feels a little tired. Apparently Volvo supplier has the correct shaped padding available so get both jobs done in one go, after Christmas!

[Braintax]

Good job, this looks fantastic

[vixen1700]

Nice, are you going to keep it on original wheels or put some Minilites on it? I think these really suit the 123GT.

[darker grapefruit]

Congratulations sir, that is absolutely superb.

[ashway]

looks fantastic

[threespires]

Great cars, I sold them when new.
This beauty [which shares garage space with a genuine Costello MGB] was on the Classic Rally Tours Champagne Rally recently.

[crankedup]

vixen1700 said:

Nice, are you going to keep it on original wheels or put some Minilites on it? I think these really suit the 123GT.

Thank you all for generous comments.

I have seen these minilites for sale and I understand that they are popular in the Amazon World, they do look good and agree they suit the car. However, I' m in the 'keep it original camp' so no plans to change anything away from factory spec'
Is the image of the car your's?

[crankedup]

threespires said:

Great cars, I sold them when new.
This beauty [which shares garage space with a genuine Costello MGB] was on the Classic Rally Tours Champagne Rally recently.

In it's natural habitat, on a rally. I notice that your car has the minilite wheels as well. I find myself surprised from the pace of the car, at almost fifty years old as well. Must have been quite a shock to plenty of other marques of the time to see the Volvo sprint away. Such an innocent looking saloon, an early Q car perhaps!

[vixen1700]

crankedup said:

Is the image of the car your's?

I wish! Came close to buying an Amazon a few times over the years since having the 1800S, but never found the right one.



This is probably what resembles my old car the most, year and colour wise.

A search on the Volvo forums suggests it's long since gone.

[crankedup]

I love the style of the 1800S and was contemplating buying one as a daily driver. That was until I started looking at the prices, strewth man alive they are expensive now!! Great cars though.