New toy

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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

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Thanks guys for encouraging comments.

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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!

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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?

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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!

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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.

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alolympic said:

Lovely cars. Come close myself a few times but can't ever bring myself to sell what I have.
If your friends don't get Volvos, you need to get new friends.....

Took one out for a drive yesterday, he has changed his opinion now

Thank you all for generous comments.

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Faust66 said:

Nice looking car you have there!

And it's good to see another person passionate about their Amazon…

Has you suspension been worked on? If not, it's worth doing a bit of work on it… if you think it handles now, just wait until you get it sorted!

(Got 30mm lower progressive springs on mine, KYB gas dampers, uprated anti roll bar, I've fully polybushed it… basically, the suspension is all brand new. Every arm, every nut and bolt. Took a few weekends, but it was worth it!). Wider steel wheels and 195 section tyres also help. It never ceases to amuse me: people don't expect a car of that vintage to handle as well as they do!

Regarding the seat refurb: it's supposed to be an easy job (never tried it myself as I have aftermarket seats in my car) but it's worth investing in really good quality seat webbing (the bit your backside rests upon). Buy the very best quality you can find… no point doing the job twice!

Gratuitous picture of my baby:

Thank you, and thanks for the techie tips as well. Not sure if any mods have been completed on my car as yet, I post as Bayliss on the Volvo forums and have yet to post the images on there.
The wide wheels certainly suit the car well and give your. A great look. Lowered suspension as well, but I am a bloke that sitsin the 'keep it standard' room . What is the colour of yours?

As for the seat refurb' I have looked at the usual Volvo classic spares suppliers but they do not seem to have the replacement foams and webs that I need. However, www.classic-Volvo.com do, they can supply the pre-formed foam base and backrest parts as well as the webbing as used originally. Of course it comes at a cost and for these parts it's 150 Euro + post /pack. I will have a chat with my local car trimmer/ upholsterer and if he can do the work for me I will book it in after Christmas. The remaining seats seem pretty good and obviously much less used than the drivers seat. Adding it up I expect it to cost £300 or thereabouts for a complete drivers seat refurb' using the original seat cover, which is good other than needing some minor stitching to the side bolster.

Edited by crankedup on Thursday 27th October 12:06

Edited by crankedup on Thursday 27th October 12:08

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Thanks Donkeyapple.

ps I thought about a nice pre VW Skoda at one point

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^^^^^
Holy Moses!!!!!!

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^^^^
Thanks Rich, yes I agree it has got the p5 look from certain angles and I think the dark green adds to the 'deception' slightly.
As for the bit of rag at the front, a most unfortunate event, I forgot all about the chappie cleaning the car when I headed off