'69 Volvo 121 Amazon

[vixen1700]

Bought this 1969 Volvo 121 Amazon back in July and have to I'm in love with the old girl. Would love a P1800/1800S again, but they're silly money now.

Bought from a Volvo restoration specialist in Suffolk, a two owner car with just under 60k on the clock, or it could be 160k or 260k as it came with no history, but the last few MoTs, but it feels tight enough to be just 60k, but these things can do incredibly high mileages.

Had the timing sorted out at a local garage, now it runs like a little sewing-machine and fires up instantly on a little choke for about 40 seconds.

It came with a new boot-lid and nearside wing which together with small amounts of rust on each corner were all sorted by a nearby spray shop. Other little bits have just been touched up with spray and tiny brushes, giving it a nice lived in look.

Wider wheels and tyres came from Brookhouse In Suffolk which gives it a nicer stance and better roadholding.

Used all the time and is surprisingly quick for a 53 year old, so keeping up with modern traffic's not a problem and it just loves nice open B roads doing 50-60.

No road tax and ULEZ exempt which is nice.

The ideal everyday classic.

[vixen1700]

Coming up to a year of ownership now with the car used more days than not and it's been absolutely fantastic.

Put it through for an MoT on Thursday and it passed with the only advisory being a slight oil leak, it's going in for a service and uprated radiator on Monday so I'll get the leak looked at then.

[vixen1700]

Cheers for all the positive comments.

Wish I could give you more details of running/maintaining it, but you just get in, turn the key and it just goes (and goes).

[vixen1700]

New radiator fitted and serviced yesterday, so off to the coast in an hour or so.

[vixen1700]

lifeboat22 said:

I’ve just spotted you enjoying ulez free motoring

Wanstead on our way back from Leigh-on Sea.

[vixen1700]

Don't mind the odd beer in The George.

[vixen1700]

[vixen1700]

On our way back from Loughton before heading off to Watford last night for filming at Warner Bros.

It's in Wanstead quite often, as well you know.

Another PHer I see often there is the Cobra reg: RAK1T.

[vixen1700]

Roman Moroni said:

Roman Moroni posted on the 23rd August said:

In Epping earlier. Parked up was a red, G Reg. Volvo Amazon. Clearly in regular use with a slightly threadbare patina, but obviously loved.

I can only assume it was you O/P? There can't be many of you about

Yep.

[vixen1700]

All these 'Readers' Cars' threads have loads of updates with things done to them etc. So I'll add an update:

Got a nail in one of the tyres on Monday, so had to get a new one on Tuesday:

[vixen1700]

Good luck with it, sounds ace.

[vixen1700]

classicaholic said:

Your Amazon looks great, I was offered a nice one recently but I already have a Rover P4, is there much difference between the two? Most of my cars are sports cars but I want to keep a saloon just for the odd day out & I am tempted to change to the Amazon.

I think you'd be surprised at just how 'sporty' the Amazon feels, it still surprises me at times.

For a car that's almost 55 years old, it's still reasonably quick off the mark, can be chucked around country lanes and has a lovely burst of fourth gear pull. They were/are good rally cars for a reason.

Go for it, you really won't regret getting an Amazon.

[vixen1700]

As I'm sitting in the supermarket car-park waiting for my mrs to come out, I've taken some interior pictures as requested:


Orla Kiely cushion for added support.




Comfy rear seats with seat-belts.


Nice basic controls. Dash has a faint green light at night.


Cuddly foxes at the rear.

Edited by vixen1700 on Sunday 31st December 15:00