1968 Volvo 122S Amazon Wagon

Item specifics

  • Year: 1968
  • Make: Volvo
  • Model: Amazon Wagon
  • Trim: 122S
  • Engine: I4
  • Drive Type: RWD
  • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): S53435373
  • Mileage: 71,000
  • Exterior Color: Sahara Yellow
  • Interior Color: Cognac

Description

Condition: Used VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): S53435373
Year: 1968 Engine: I4
Make: Volvo Drive Type: RWD
Model: Amazon Wagon Mileage: 71,000
Trim: 122S Vehicle Title: Clear

How absolutely WONDERFUL it is to offer this gorgeous little Volvo 122S Wagon for sale!  This is truly a collector’s dream!  This is a long ad, but please be sure to read the entire thing – there is a lot of wonderful detail to cover!  Let’s dive right in!

Background:

Released in 1956 and designed by Jan Wilsgaard (father of MANY legendary Volvos), the Amazon line up were truly stunning both in terms of styling and execution.   The Amazon wagon was released a few years later in 1962 to equal acclaim.  With its new incredible 1.8L B18 engine, the wagon was meant to live forever!  The B18 engine holds the record for the most mileage of any car – over 2.5 MILLION miles on the original engine.  Needless to say with basic care these engines are made to last.  The car too was made to last.  The steel was treated for better paint adhesion, the underside received a super durable coating and anti-corrosive oil treatment.  These Volvos were bulletproof!  But that said, many were ignored and found their way to the crusher, making this car more collectible by the day.

Let’s move on to this car specifically:

Let’s continue with this car.  This wagon is the most coveted model, the 122S, featuring the 115hp high compression straight 4 cylinder motor with twin SU carbs and overhead cam design.   This car is #65632 and nearing the end of production for 122S wagons.  Only 8,500 wagons were made in 1968 and a smaller number were 122S.  Paired with the engine is a 4 speed M40 manual transmission.

This wagon is draped in Sahara Sand paint over a Medium Brown Cognac interior and looks stunning.  This car has been virtually untouched since new, receiving only a fresh paint job a few years ago.   The body is in wonderful shape! It is the original interior which is in wonderful shape!  Gracing the roof is the original wooden slat roof rack, which are becoming increasingly hard to find.  Even more rare… the original radio is present and working!    This really is the full package you have been waiting for in an Amazon!

We purchased this wagon locally in California some years ago where it has lived for its whole life to our knowledge.  It has lived a nice warm, dry life here and has been garaged in a temperature controlled warehouse since our purchase.

This Volvo was not a one off purchase.  It sits within an extremely robust collection filled with both rare and eclectic cars.  Not only that, this Amazon was made at home within a collection of beautiful classic Volvos.  Volvo experts watch over and maintain this beauty and assure that it is in wonderful running and driving condition.   Check the rest of the pictures as well for the car on the road.  This car is ready to be driven and was not trailered to our photo site.

The Condition and Service:
Let’s start on the engine and drivetrain:

-ENGINE
This engine comes to life with a turn of the key, it warms up nicely and revs beautifully.  The car cruises comfortably, no hesitations or flat spots.  It is the original engine and has great patina in appearance and run like a top.  The twin SUs are in great shape and have no leaks.

-TRANSMISSION and DRIVETRAIN
The 4 speed transmission is in wonderful shape.  The shifter eases into gear without any drama and has no grinds from the syncros!

-COOLING SYSTEM
The Amazon runs cool and comfortable even in CA heat.  I took the car on a nice drive in 90 degree temps to photo it and it drove like a dream.

-SUSPENSION
No bangs, no rough ride, no clunks!

-BRAKES
Confident pedal, great pressure with a firm positive stop.  Recent brake job in the front.

-STEERING
Steering feels good, no excessive play or vibrations.

Let’s continue to the exterior:

-PAINT and BODY
This Amazon features gorgeous Sahara Sand paint.  I would call it a 8+/10.  No signs of body work or accidents.  The paint has wonderful shine and only minor flaws.  A few minor chips or wear as to be expected.  A couple small cracks in the paint right where the grill meets the metal.  Somewhat hard to notice unless right up on the car.  The car is 99.9% rust free.  The only dabs of light oxidation on some small chips in the engine bay and chips on the underside.  Painted body panels are in wonderful shape, no bubbles, or rot!

-WHEELS/TIRES
Wonderful shape, loads of tread on new tires!

-BUMPERS and BRIGHT WORK
All chrome redone, all trim polished and cleaned!  All look great!

-ROOF RACK
Original roof rack is very cherry!  Fantastic wood and metal in nice shape!

Onto the cabin:

-SEATS
The Cognac Brown seats are in beautiful shape!   Totally original interior!  Fronts and rears have no wear!  The vinyl is soft and free of cracks.   Simply gorgeous seating!

-CARPET
Beautiful carpet, no stains or noteworthy wear

-DASHBOARD
No cracks in the vinyl, nice paint on the metal!  Some flaking on the gauge surround.

-RADIO
Working original radio!  What a treat!

-DOOR PANELS
Clean door panels – no significant wear.

-STEERING WHEEL
The wheel is in great shape.

-HEADLINER
Stunning shape headliner, no stains, tears or issues.

-CARGO AREA
Super clean!  No stains or wear.  The metal on the cargo floor is in very nice shape.  No rust or issues.

The Experience:
This is such a treat to drive this Swedish beauty!  She motors happily along with her gorgeous Sahara Sand paint glistening in the sun ready for family camping, road trips to the beach, country road drives, moving day or just about anything else you could throw at it!  These Amazons will last forever with wonderful engineering of both motor and chassis.  They have huge amounts of room for family or luggage.  And with the roof rack, you can fill her to the brim!  The car starts right up and settles into idle quickly!  The engine has plenty of power to propel the wagon and the nice period, long throw shifter fits the car and the drive perfectly.  Sometimes, it’s not the sports cars or the exotic cars that make for the most enjoyable drives, its cars like this Amazon that just seem to have the right soul.  It may sound campy, but its true.  She just makes for a happy car to drive!

Volvo collectors:  this is a car that is a must have for your collection.  It has ever increasing historic value, without the endeavors of typical historic price.  It is a cornerstone of any Volvo collection to have a Amazon wagon, especially a 122S.

Feel free to ask me any questions at all.  Residents around the world I am happy to be flexible for your arranged shipper so that you can get your new car as soon as possible.   International buyers are welcome.   Our reserve price is very reasonable.