
This is a classic with an automatic...
The Volvo 122S is the "sporting" version of the car that started life as the Volvo Amazon. (Due to an agreement with a German company that made a moped called the Amazone, Volvo could only use the name Amazon in Nordic countries and the car became known as the 120 series throughout the rest of the world.) "Sporting" is a relative term here. The dual carbed 122S put out only 85HP. Still, that was sportier than the base model 121, which had a 65HP engine.

This is one of those great "everyday driver" classics. These were the cars that gave Volvo their reputation for building tough, durable cars. In the 1960s, you were lucky if you got 75K miles out of a car. These Volvos were known to run for far more than twice that mileage without needing any major work.
While these cars were not complete rust buckets like many 1960s cars were, they did rust. This car looks to be rust free. I would assume that some bodywork was done to it, but, as it's for sale in New Mexico, it may be an original Southwest car that had very little rust to begin with. The seller of this car doesn't mention any bodywork history, but he does list some of the recent mechanical work that he's done.
These cars have a huge worldwide following. The owners don't lock them up and baby them. Check out some of the forums and you'll see people talking about how many miles they put on their cars each year and how much abuse they give them.

Located in Santa Fe, NM, click here to see the Craigslist ad.
2 comments:
Nice car. It seems that the owner has spent the money maintaining it. All that's left for the buyer to do is give a nice paint job and a set of Minilites.
My folks bought a 1967 (4 speed) 122s after their Borgward and Sunbeam (and MG TC...) and we kept it in the family till it hit about 120,000 35 years later. The red paint still polished up, the upholstery was a little split, but lord what a durable, snazzy impressive car. I've had 18 other cars besides that one and never had as many comments, offers and flirts. The 122 has a weird allure. It was a magnificant ride. Swift, comfortable, safe and a subtle hoot to drive at limit. Missing you UBL 502.
Post a Comment