1966 Volvo 122S wagon, thoroughly rebuilt classic vintage sports car

Volvo 122S wagon. 1966

A thoroughly rebuilt example of this usable classic

Have always loved old Volvos. sort of a combination of German quality with English whimsy… Sold my concours PV544 and thought another 122S wagon (had one fifteen years ago and loved it) would be a change of pace.

Found this car on eBay in Detroit… Seller didn't speak English very well and most of what I was told was that it was running and had an all new interior.   When it arrived at my shop this is what I found:  ALL of the interior was new… Headliner. panels. carpets. seats. dash top. rear compartment.   Very impressive.   It did run. but barely.   Body was straight. but some bubbling at the lower part of the doors.   And the floor pan rather ‘soft' under the front seats.

During my first test drive. I was stunned to find that it not only has overdrive. but it works perfectly.   Also. front and rear IPD sway bars. Koni shocks. electronic ignition… A surprising number of items not mentioned in his ad.   ALL very pleasing.

I replaced the rusted floor areas with new factory sheet metal. found the rear floor was fine as were the inner sills.   I cut out all of the rusted  metal under the bubbling bondo… Now the body is perfectly solid and just repainted.   To my knowledge. there is no rust under this car or under the paint.   And it looks great.

I had work done on the brakes (disc in front with servo assist) and front end.   Engine tuned out to be on its last legs with barely sufficient compression to start.   Fortunately it was the larger B20 engine (easier to get parts AND more powerful).   It got new . 030” over forged Mahle pistons. bottom end done. new high lift cam with new cam followers. new aluminum timing gears. new clutch. etc.   A first class rebuild now. having covered a few hundred miles. probably close to being broken in.

At the same time as doing the engine. I had the radiator boiled and pressure checked.   I had a secondary electric cooling fan installed. a secondary electric fuel pump (for reliability)… The car had a soggy old Weber carb which was replaced with a relatively new one.  

Bumpers are pretty good. not pitted or peeling and look fine. now with new front and rear bumper guards.   Also I had installed a new stereo/CD with USB input.

What else?  Well. the dash is kind of funky with the original speedo/water temp/fuel gauge pod replaced with a complete set of rally gauges.   My immediate thought was to replace it all with an original pod (which I have and would be happy to throw into the ‘deal').   BUT (and this was kind of surprising). ALL of the gauges are properly connected and THEY ALL WORK!   Fuel gauge. speedo. tachometer. oil; pressure and oil temperature. voltmeter. vacuum gauge.   I figured…. actually better than the simple factory arrangement.

Car has an oil cooler. a remote spin on oil filter with Aeroquip lines. I fitted a fairly new set of good radial tires. on and on and on.   Really put a lot of time. money. and energy into this car.   And the result…runs and drives perfectly…. incredibly good ride. smooth and quiet in overdrive. brakes and steering work very well. all lights. wipers. gauges. handbrake. etc. work perfectly………it's a really great car.

A nice. very usable classic…. purrs along at 80+ mph. seats four comfortably. nice big rear area for hauling things. IF I keep the car. would probably install a trailer hitch and tow a light trailer.    Maybe even a roof rack.

Whats wrong with it?  A lot of extra wires (the car used to have a/c). some extra relays that aren't connected. BUT everything works.   Perfect oil pressure. no smoke ever. MAYBE 200 miles on the completely rebuilt engine. overdrive clicks in and out perfectly. excellent synchromesh. really doesn't miss a beat.

I paid $4. 00 for the car which seemed like a bargain considering the basically sound body. being complete. and the new interior.   Now. must have 4 or 5 times that sum invested BUT time for it to go (just restored a beautiful MGB GT to provide a classic closed car for colder weather).   Car is for sale AND would consider a part or full trade for some interesting English sports car.

I have tried to represent this car as accurately as possible…all of the work was done professionally…rebuilding. welding and fabrication. painting (okay. NOT a Pebble Beach quality 40k respray but looks great and appropriate for the nature of the car). etc.   I fitted the car with every conceivable improvement and it turned out great.  

However. still nearly fifty years old and. thus. no warranty or guarantee whatsoever.   Strictly sold ‘as is' and ‘where is. '  I can assist in transport anywhere in the world. can store the car for a while (at no charge) until arrangements are made. and (to be candid) I wouldn't have the slightest qualms about driving it ‘cross country.   

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?