The term honest classic doesn’t have a good definition in major established media, but if I were writing the Wikipedia article for the term, I’d use this next car for the cover image. It has the all the charisma and class you need to park next to a Mercedes 300SL without being embarrassed, but you could also take it shopping at Walmart and park next to a Honda…it really doesn’t care. Find this 1966 Volvo 122S offered for $6000 in Chico, CA via craigslist.
This next vintage Volvo isn’t the right car for restoration, or for trying to keep as a minty clean survivor…no the tin worm is far too deep into its flesh. Unfortunately, what this car needs is a Viking funeral. And I get it, I’ve had cars with some rust, and it is always possible to remove that rust and get back to metal…but…this thing just looks like paint holding together iron oxide. However, the mechanical parts are in good shape (probably survived due to constant weeping of oil and grease) so take it on one last epic road trip. Pack the boot full of tools, spare fluids, boxes of 2-buck-chuck, and drive from California to the tip of the Patagonia peninsula, but you might want to reserve a plane ticket home, just in case. Or spend the 4 years and $15k removing the rust, the world is your oyster, my friend. Find this 1968 Volvo Amazon 122S offered for $3000 in San Francisco, CA via craigslist.
This next car comes as a tip from Zach who writes: Needs a bit of love, but a number of pieces there. At current bid ($7.50) a fair price. Indeed…it is a complete basket case and will require a total restoration, but 123GT Amazons are rare and prices are appreciating…if you can find one. Even prices for the basic 122 Amazon are up, but scoring a 1 of 1500 ever built factory hot-rod 123GT for less than a Big Mac meal deal is a score. Find this 1968 Volvo 123GT bidding for $7.50 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Pensacola, FL via eBay.
The Amazon (called the 120-series outside of Sweden) is a 50’s styled classic Volvo that makes a compelling case for a starter classic due to its simple ruggedness and basic reliability. Today’s example has ditched the simple B-series 4-cylinder for a small block Chevy V8 mated to a TH350 slushbox…which is the basic formula for every hot rod ever built, but gets the job done. Find this 1968 Volvo 122 Amazon bidding for $3050 in Bradenton, FL via eBay.
This next car comes as a tip from Zach Z who writes: Pretty sure thats authentic barn-dust. But looks to be a great rolling resto candidate with a bunch of tasty. Parts on it already for a reasonable BIN. Find this 1967 Volvo 122S Amazon here on eBay bidding for $900 reserve-not-met with buy-it-now of $3500 located in Sisters, OR […]
This next car comes from tipper Erik202 who writes: Apart from being a pretty decent looking Volvo wagon this ad features the age old bargaining technique of threatening prospective buyers. I mean it happens all the time but this guy seems to double down on the price going up if the car goes to auction and […]
The Volvo Amazon (called the 120 series outside of Sweden) was the more practical, more upright older sibling of the P1800 “sports” car, to which it donated its engine, transmission, and suspension option list (mostly). Today the values of the 1800 series coupes and 1800ES shooting brakes have started to tick up, leaving the Amazon […]
When the talking heads on the internet starting carrying on about Amazon Prime day, I had to think about it. Because the regular 122S version of the Amazon isn’t prime…but then I remembered the 123GT version…which is ALMOST prime, but it is divisible by 3 & 41, which are both prime numbers and in nerd […]
The Volvo 122S/Amazon is a 50’s styled classic Volvo that normally doesn’t cost an arm/leg to purchase, drive or restore. Prices have gone up for the “sporty” 2-door version in the past few years, but you can still find a 4-door 122S for next to nothing…and that is a good thing indeed. Find this 1964 Volvo […]
This next ride comes from Zach Z who writes: H, V, A, and C are optional. Just open a window, apparently. But has MOAR ENGINE. Find this 1965 Volvo 122S Amazon offered for $5000 in Southwest Texas via craigslist. From the seller: 1965 volvo 122s fuel: gas title status: clean transmission: automatic type: coupe Selling a volvo […]