1970 Volvo Amazon 133
Discussion
Thought that I'd start a thread about my 1970 Volvo Amazon 133. I'll be covering the trials and tribulations of running a classic car throught the winter (alongside my 1990 Sierra XR4x4), I'll also cover the restoration and modifications that I'll be carrying out. As I don't have a garage or anywhere warm and dry to work, I'll mainly be carrying out the basic stuff until the weather warms up again.
The ownership of this car has been a bit convoluted: I know that it was run by a retired traffic cop for 20 odd years, my girlfriend purchased the car from a chap in darkest Norfolk a few years back as she'd always wanted a classic car. I agreed to teach her the basics of maintainence as long as she was willing to get her hands dirty - working on the car, mind! She agreed to this and a deal was struck.
Fast forward a couple of years and after she'd covered many happy (and trouble free!) miles she decided to flog the car as she wanted to save up for a new Harp (she's a professional muscician). I'd grown quite attached to 'Alan' (her name choice!) by this time so I decided to take the car off her hands.
So, since the spring I've been making a few modifications and improvements. I should add that Ms Faust is a stickler for originality where I like my cars to be 'different'... The look that I want to achive for the Amazon is that of period (ish) rally replica.
I've fitted a pair of black Cobra Daytona seats as the orginals had sagged very badly and were just to small & unsupportive for me. I've also fitted a period looking Moto Lita steering wheel and boss as the original was too 'bus-like'. I've also fitted black door cards to match the black seats.
I've fitted a performance exhaust from Amazon specialists 'Brookhouse' to replace the knackered orginal, fitted new ignition componenets after a disastrous foray into electronic ignition systems and dropped a nice K&N panel filter in. The engine pulls really strongly and she'll sit at a steady 70 at about 2800 rpm thanks to the overdrive. The exhaust has a nice deep burble without being to intrusive. I also fitted a new set of poly bushes to the steering coupling as the originals were shot.
Next on my list is a nice set of either wide steel rims or perhaps some period looking alloys... the relative rarity of which can be compared to rocking horse excrement.
I'll be fitting a high-level brake light to the rear screen next weekend for added safety on these dark winter nights.
Pictures to follow!
The ownership of this car has been a bit convoluted: I know that it was run by a retired traffic cop for 20 odd years, my girlfriend purchased the car from a chap in darkest Norfolk a few years back as she'd always wanted a classic car. I agreed to teach her the basics of maintainence as long as she was willing to get her hands dirty - working on the car, mind! She agreed to this and a deal was struck.
Fast forward a couple of years and after she'd covered many happy (and trouble free!) miles she decided to flog the car as she wanted to save up for a new Harp (she's a professional muscician). I'd grown quite attached to 'Alan' (her name choice!) by this time so I decided to take the car off her hands.
So, since the spring I've been making a few modifications and improvements. I should add that Ms Faust is a stickler for originality where I like my cars to be 'different'... The look that I want to achive for the Amazon is that of period (ish) rally replica.
I've fitted a pair of black Cobra Daytona seats as the orginals had sagged very badly and were just to small & unsupportive for me. I've also fitted a period looking Moto Lita steering wheel and boss as the original was too 'bus-like'. I've also fitted black door cards to match the black seats.
I've fitted a performance exhaust from Amazon specialists 'Brookhouse' to replace the knackered orginal, fitted new ignition componenets after a disastrous foray into electronic ignition systems and dropped a nice K&N panel filter in. The engine pulls really strongly and she'll sit at a steady 70 at about 2800 rpm thanks to the overdrive. The exhaust has a nice deep burble without being to intrusive. I also fitted a new set of poly bushes to the steering coupling as the originals were shot.
Next on my list is a nice set of either wide steel rims or perhaps some period looking alloys... the relative rarity of which can be compared to rocking horse excrement.
I'll be fitting a high-level brake light to the rear screen next weekend for added safety on these dark winter nights.
Pictures to follow!
Edited by Faust66 on Monday 7th November 18:03
That is a beautiful period looking late Amazon 
Be very interested in some interior and engine bay shots for comparison with mine
.
What carbs are you running?
You mention changing the wheels, the bloke who restored mine fitted a set of minilites and although they split opinion I think they look fantastic.
Be very interested in some interior and engine bay shots for comparison with mine
.What carbs are you running?
You mention changing the wheels, the bloke who restored mine fitted a set of minilites and although they split opinion I think they look fantastic.
carmadgaz said:
That is a beautiful period looking late Amazon
Be very interested in some interior and engine bay shots for comparison with mine.
What carbs are you running?
You mention changing the wheels, the bloke who restored mine fitted a set of minilites and although they split opinion I think they look fantastic.
Thanks for the comments - just been looking at your thread: dark green really suits an Amazon.Be very interested in some interior and engine bay shots for comparison with mine
.What carbs are you running?
You mention changing the wheels, the bloke who restored mine fitted a set of minilites and although they split opinion I think they look fantastic.
I'm running twin SU carbs - HS6s if memory serves.
I really like the look of an Amazon on wide steels so that's what I'm after. Minilites do seem to split opinions and I've never understood why. Personally, I think look spot on.
I'm also considering Wolfrace slot mags or even some Torque Thrusts, the only problem is price... every time I save up some cash it's MOT time or some damn thing!
Faust66 said:
Thanks for the comments - just been looking at your thread: dark green really suits an Amazon.
I'm running twin SU carbs - HS6s if memory serves.
I really like the look of an Amazon on wide steels so that's what I'm after. Minilites do seem to split opinions and I've never understood why. Personally, I think look spot on.
I'm also considering Wolfrace slot mags or even some Torque Thrusts, the only problem is price... every time I save up some cash it's MOT time or some damn thing!
Thanks I was really pleased with the colour, goes well with the caramel interior too.I'm running twin SU carbs - HS6s if memory serves.
I really like the look of an Amazon on wide steels so that's what I'm after. Minilites do seem to split opinions and I've never understood why. Personally, I think look spot on.
I'm also considering Wolfrace slot mags or even some Torque Thrusts, the only problem is price... every time I save up some cash it's MOT time or some damn thing!
Ahh good show, the twins on mine run beautifully, can't hear it idle when warm
The spots are a nice add too, I keep toying with the idea...
I like the fact the minilites are period, your car looks too good to non period modify so the choice of wheels is critical.
carmadgaz said:
Faust66 said:
Thanks for the comments - just been looking at your thread: dark green really suits an Amazon.
I'm running twin SU carbs - HS6s if memory serves.
I really like the look of an Amazon on wide steels so that's what I'm after. Minilites do seem to split opinions and I've never understood why. Personally, I think look spot on.
I'm also considering Wolfrace slot mags or even some Torque Thrusts, the only problem is price... every time I save up some cash it's MOT time or some damn thing!
Thanks I was really pleased with the colour, goes well with the caramel interior too.I'm running twin SU carbs - HS6s if memory serves.
I really like the look of an Amazon on wide steels so that's what I'm after. Minilites do seem to split opinions and I've never understood why. Personally, I think look spot on.
I'm also considering Wolfrace slot mags or even some Torque Thrusts, the only problem is price... every time I save up some cash it's MOT time or some damn thing!
Ahh good show, the twins on mine run beautifully, can't hear it idle when warm
The spots are a nice add too, I keep toying with the idea...
I like the fact the minilites are period, your car looks too good to non period modify so the choice of wheels is critical.
Totaly agree with your comments regarding wheels - I really can't stand modern rims on classic cars. 99% of the time they look awful.
Climbed into the Amazon this morning, stuck the key in the ignition, pulled the choke out and tried to start her up. What was I rewarded with?
Errrr, errrr, errrr, errrrrrrr… click, click.
Ah, the joyous sound of what I like to call the winter symphony in m-minor…. Yep; flat battery.
Not happy about this as the battery is only 18 months old – saying that, the car hasn’t had a good long run in a while. I’ll charge her up overnight and run a multi-meter over the terminals to check that all is well. I have left her for a month in sub-zero temperatures in the past though and the engine has always fired up at the first turn of the key. Luckily, my Sierra sprang straight into life so I was spared the ignominy of a bus ride.
At least the weather forecast is OK for the weekend!
Errrr, errrr, errrr, errrrrrrr… click, click.
Ah, the joyous sound of what I like to call the winter symphony in m-minor…. Yep; flat battery.
Not happy about this as the battery is only 18 months old – saying that, the car hasn’t had a good long run in a while. I’ll charge her up overnight and run a multi-meter over the terminals to check that all is well. I have left her for a month in sub-zero temperatures in the past though and the engine has always fired up at the first turn of the key. Luckily, my Sierra sprang straight into life so I was spared the ignominy of a bus ride.
At least the weather forecast is OK for the weekend!
carmadgaz said:
That's a bugger, tis a fair old battery on them too! Have you got a kill switch on yours to save the battery draining (and to stop steak and kidney lock openers pinching it)?
Love the description of a certain people!Not got a battery kill switch fitted as the car is used fairly regularly… and as I stated, this hasn’t happened before.
Security wise I have a basic immobiliser fitted (for obvious reasons I’m not going to go into detail) along with a Disclock 2000.
Interestingly, when my girlfriend managed to lock the keys inside with the engine running a while back (just don’t ask), my neighbour who is an ex-mechanic/used to be a bit naughty in his younger days with regards to breaking into cars, eventually managed to get the driver’s door open, but he said that he’d never known a car that was harder to break into.
Which is nice.
Faust66 said:
Love the description of a certain people!
Not got a battery kill switch fitted as the car is used fairly regularly… and as I stated, this hasn’t happened before.
Security wise I have a basic immobiliser fitted (for obvious reasons I’m not going to go into detail) along with a Disclock 2000.
Interestingly, when my girlfriend managed to lock the keys inside with the engine running a while back (just don’t ask), my neighbour who is an ex-mechanic/used to be a bit naughty in his younger days with regards to breaking into cars, eventually managed to get the driver’s door open, but he said that he’d never known a car that was harder to break into.
Which is nice.
Well the p-word is frowned upon for some reason Not got a battery kill switch fitted as the car is used fairly regularly… and as I stated, this hasn’t happened before.
Security wise I have a basic immobiliser fitted (for obvious reasons I’m not going to go into detail) along with a Disclock 2000.
Interestingly, when my girlfriend managed to lock the keys inside with the engine running a while back (just don’t ask), my neighbour who is an ex-mechanic/used to be a bit naughty in his younger days with regards to breaking into cars, eventually managed to get the driver’s door open, but he said that he’d never known a car that was harder to break into.
Which is nice.
Don't blame you, mine (and the Landie) have isolation switches on, if you don't know where they are you have no hope
Really!! I shut the door on mine and the lock dropped shut (with the keys in the ignition), I was in again within 20sec!
Well, had a look at the output from the battery whilst the car is running: 13.75 amps, this drops to approx 12.5 with all the electrics operating... which isn't brilliant but not too bad for an old car. I'll still keep my eyes peeled for a decent alternator to keep on standby. I've had no further issues with non-starting so it can't be that bad!
I also gave the ignition system a quick once over (re-gapped the points etc.), fortunately there are no problems.
Managed to fit my high level rear brake light this afternoon - bit of a sod to fit as the scotchlocks supplied with the kit were poor quality. Still, I'll be nice and visible at night now.
Also thought that I'd add some engine bay and interior pictures:
I also gave the ignition system a quick once over (re-gapped the points etc.), fortunately there are no problems.
Managed to fit my high level rear brake light this afternoon - bit of a sod to fit as the scotchlocks supplied with the kit were poor quality. Still, I'll be nice and visible at night now.
Also thought that I'd add some engine bay and interior pictures:
Well, it’s been a while so I thought I’d better update this thread... time flies when working on cars!
From November through to February/March I’d hardly driven my Amazon as the carbs were making the experience quite unpleasant. I’d had them looked at by a couple of specialists and I decided to save up some cash for a rebuild... but as I've never really 'got' SUs, I changed my mind.
The dodgy twin SU carbs have been replaced with a new Weber 32 36 DGAV downdraft carb. The engine now runs beautifully with no more hunting at idle, no more random stalling and no more backfiring. I’ve also fitted a new 4 branch exhaust manifold as the original setup featured a combined exhaust/intake unit and I didn’t fancy trying to separate! The kit was relatively easy to fit, but unless you’re confident that you know what you’re doing, I’d advise getting a garage to do it... especially if you have to attempt the job in 3 inches of snow!
I’d certainly recommend this conversion to anyone with a twin carb setup in need of work. The car feels just as powerful as before yet I’ve noticed a slight increase in the MPG I’m achieving... result! The conversion wasn’t cheap: the carb kit (carb, alloy intake manifold, throttle linkages and a very bit bag of nuts, bolts and other fittings) came in at 485 quid including VAT and the exhaust manifold and fittings were another £188. As I’m not exactly what you’d call a rich man, I had to do a fair bit of scrimping and saving. When I take her for a drive it’s all worth it though!
I’ve also bolted on a set of second hand 14 inch Cragar wheels with 195/65/14 tyres on the front and 235/60/14 tyres at the rear (birthday present from my girlfriend, bless ‘er). The rears look cool in a hotrod style but unfortunately they stick out from the arches just a bit too much... they’re shortly to be replaced by a pair of 205/70/14s.
I’ve had an ominous rumbling coming from the rear wheels for a while now.... yep, the bearings are worn. An indie Volvo place in Nottingham has checked ‘em out and quoted me 70 per side for the job (I'll be sourcing the parts). I was impressed by the fact that they’ve got the specialist hub puller necessary to remove the rear drums & that they’ve recently done the same job on another Amazon. So hopefully all will be well.
After I’ve got the bearing/s sorted it’ll be time for the dreaded MOT in late July (gulp) and then she’s off to the paint shop to have the roof re-sprayed as the paint has bloomed quite badly. I’ll then be having a custom headling installed to replace the worn rear section by a mate who’s a bit of a genius with a needle and thread (cheers, Jay, if you’re reading this).
It’s a good job I’ve cut back on visits to the pub!
From November through to February/March I’d hardly driven my Amazon as the carbs were making the experience quite unpleasant. I’d had them looked at by a couple of specialists and I decided to save up some cash for a rebuild... but as I've never really 'got' SUs, I changed my mind.
The dodgy twin SU carbs have been replaced with a new Weber 32 36 DGAV downdraft carb. The engine now runs beautifully with no more hunting at idle, no more random stalling and no more backfiring. I’ve also fitted a new 4 branch exhaust manifold as the original setup featured a combined exhaust/intake unit and I didn’t fancy trying to separate! The kit was relatively easy to fit, but unless you’re confident that you know what you’re doing, I’d advise getting a garage to do it... especially if you have to attempt the job in 3 inches of snow!
I’d certainly recommend this conversion to anyone with a twin carb setup in need of work. The car feels just as powerful as before yet I’ve noticed a slight increase in the MPG I’m achieving... result! The conversion wasn’t cheap: the carb kit (carb, alloy intake manifold, throttle linkages and a very bit bag of nuts, bolts and other fittings) came in at 485 quid including VAT and the exhaust manifold and fittings were another £188. As I’m not exactly what you’d call a rich man, I had to do a fair bit of scrimping and saving. When I take her for a drive it’s all worth it though!
I’ve also bolted on a set of second hand 14 inch Cragar wheels with 195/65/14 tyres on the front and 235/60/14 tyres at the rear (birthday present from my girlfriend, bless ‘er). The rears look cool in a hotrod style but unfortunately they stick out from the arches just a bit too much... they’re shortly to be replaced by a pair of 205/70/14s.
I’ve had an ominous rumbling coming from the rear wheels for a while now.... yep, the bearings are worn. An indie Volvo place in Nottingham has checked ‘em out and quoted me 70 per side for the job (I'll be sourcing the parts). I was impressed by the fact that they’ve got the specialist hub puller necessary to remove the rear drums & that they’ve recently done the same job on another Amazon. So hopefully all will be well.
After I’ve got the bearing/s sorted it’ll be time for the dreaded MOT in late July (gulp) and then she’s off to the paint shop to have the roof re-sprayed as the paint has bloomed quite badly. I’ll then be having a custom headling installed to replace the worn rear section by a mate who’s a bit of a genius with a needle and thread (cheers, Jay, if you’re reading this).
It’s a good job I’ve cut back on visits to the pub!
Just put the old girl through an MOT... obviously I was a bit nervous.
The result?
Straight pass with no advisories!
To say I’m thrilled would be an understatement (she also passed last year with only a couple of minor advisories). It's always nice to be complemented by the MOT tester on your car and the quality of the work you've done.
By way of celebration, I’m going to fit a new fuel tank sender unit as the current one makes the needle bounce around the gauge under cornering. And for 25 quid and 5 mins for effort it’s rude not to!
Next up will be a new hinge and pin for the divers side door as it’s just starting to drop a bit which is annoying me...
The result?
Straight pass with no advisories!
To say I’m thrilled would be an understatement (she also passed last year with only a couple of minor advisories). It's always nice to be complemented by the MOT tester on your car and the quality of the work you've done.
By way of celebration, I’m going to fit a new fuel tank sender unit as the current one makes the needle bounce around the gauge under cornering. And for 25 quid and 5 mins for effort it’s rude not to!
Next up will be a new hinge and pin for the divers side door as it’s just starting to drop a bit which is annoying me...
Faust66 said:
Vulgar LS2 said:
Fantastic stuff.
Just out of interest what does the control stalk do on the RHS of your steerring wheel?
Cheers mate.Just out of interest what does the control stalk do on the RHS of your steerring wheel?
The stalk on the RHS of the steering wheel controls the overdrive (3rd & 4th gears).
I've only got one on the left 
Vulgar LS2 said:
Ooooo get you with your overdrive I've only got one on the left
Pah! You peasant! I've only got one on the left 
Seriously though, if you can justify the price you want to get an O/D fitted to your Amazon - doesn't half make it a more pleasant car to drive on the motorway.
Not seen your Amazon around Nottingham yet... I'll give you a wave if I do!
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