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Rescuing Oswald, the Old Blue Amazon (1965 Volvo 122S)

TouzinFish

TouzinFish

Active member
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Location
Boise, Idaho
Hey guys!

After browsing TurboBricks for about 10 years (seven of which I've been a member), I decided I should finally start contributing.

First post, here we go!

This is going to be the thread for my “new” 1965 Volvo 122S Amazon.

August 2, 2018

How did I find it? Back in 2018, I was shopping for a project car... because you know... multiple broken Volvos weren't already enough. At the time, I decided I wanted a break from Volvos and was looking at a BMW E30 from Craigslist/FaceBook Marketplace. During the appointment, a nice 1971 Volvo 145 drove by (he slowed down to eyeball my 240 wagon on the street) and parked a few houses down. After the E30 appointment, I wandered over to chat about his 145. Voila, this Amazon was in his backyard. I'd always wanted an Amazon, but this was my first-ever time actually seeing one in-person. Crazy I'd never seen one until 2018, right? Anyway, the guy was open to selling it, though the price tag was more than I could afford. After leaving, I scoured Craigslist and Marketplace for Amazons, and even traveled to test drive a couple. But for some reason, I was hung up on THIS particular car. I made it my mission for six years to be a pest until I finally owned the car. I ended up buying six other Volvos from him too, but that's another story.

These pictures are from six years ago, the first day I saw it (summer of 2018).

https://flic.kr/p/2q4W9FS
https://flic.kr/p/2q4RFXF
https://flic.kr/p/2q4Y1QX
https://flic.kr/p/2q4XMaQ
https://flic.kr/p/2q4Y8AK
https://flic.kr/p/2q4Xwkd
 
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December 9, 2019

One and a half years later (late 2019), I revisited the Amazon. The car was pretty much the same, except the owner said he'd replaced the carrier bearing. Other than that, it hadn't left the property. We were able to toss in a battery and gas to get the car running, but the clutch hydraulics failed and it wouldn't budge. Being in school, I couldn't drag a non-driving car to campus, so I once again had to pass on the car.

https://flic.kr/p/2q4XZ7M
 
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March 25, 2024

A few years later, the guy had a change-of-mind and wanted to sell off all of his Volvos for reasonable prices. Of the batch, I ended up with a 1968 Volvo 145S in light blue, a 1971 Volvo 145S in turquoise, a 1971 Volvo 145S in California White, a 1972 Volvo 145E in dark blue, a 1973 Volvo 145 in Cypress Green, a 1975 Volvo 244DL in Berkshire Green, and I was FINALLY able to buy this 1965 Volvo Amazon that I'd been after for years.

I dragged home all the 145's during summer of 2023, and finished the purchase of the 244 and Amazon in March 2024.

Unfortunately, the Amazon was now missing some parts, and the seasons had been pretty tough on it. Nonetheless, I was excited!

From what I was able to gather, the car was resurrected and thrown back on the road by X-Ray Auto in Seattle sometime around the late 2000’s or early 2010’s. A photographer/videographer supposedly bought the car from the guys at X-Ray Auto around 2013, and he used it as a daily driver (and occasional subject in photography, videos, and commercials) during his ownership. Also, the car moved to Idaho during that time period. In 2017, we had a brutal winter here, prompting him to sell it. The buyer (who I bought the car from) took the car home, put it in his backyard, and then it sat.

PS - I must have a loving wife to support me suddenly dragging home seven new Volvo projects.


https://flic.kr/p/2q4WcfV
 
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June 24 - July 1, 2024

Lesson learned (but I’ll probably still ignore it in the future): Clean your gas tanks, kids!
When I sloshed some gas into the tank in March to get it running (and it did run), I accidentally stirred up the nastiest sludge imaginable. On my next startup attempt in June, the fuel lines were gummed up, SU’s were gummed up, fuel pump was clogged, and the fuel filter was a sticky and clogged.

Blew out the hard fuel lines with compressed air, replaced the rubber fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel pump, and replaced the SU jets, needles, and seats.

Did I seize the opportunity to pull the tank and clean it to prevent this from happening again? Nope. Because that would be responsible.

After adjusting the SU’s, the car still backfired every time I tried applying throttle…. Glad it was close to July 4th, because the neighbors assumed the noises were fireworks. The issues ended up being the valves way out of adjustment. Got that squared away and it idles!

Side note, doing this in an apartment parking lot with no shade on 100+ degree days SUCKS.

https://flic.kr/p/2q4Rggr

https://flic.kr/p/2q4XMkk

https://flic.kr/p/2q4XWiu
 
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A lot of those dents should pop out with a rubber mallet… less force the better


Remember that the insulation until 67? Was asbestos. Just wear a mask. I had success with getting the bulk of it out with scrapers then pressure washing then using mineral spirits

I was all in with 240s but I feel in love with amazons
 
Jack said:
A lot of those dents should pop out with a rubber mallet… less force the better


Remember that the insulation until 67? Was asbestos. Just wear a mask. I had success with getting the bulk of it out with scrapers then pressure washing then using mineral spirits

I was all in with 240s but I feel in love with amazons
Click to expand...
Yeah, the roof should be easy, but getting a good angle on the tailfin might be tougher. Not looking forward to eventually pulling down the headliner and facing that insulation, yuck! Waiting for cooler weather.
 
July 1, 2024

Finally got the clutch fixed - you what that means! We’re driving, woohoo! Well… at least able to move to more shady parking spots during the day while I’m wrenching.

Anywho, I tried rebuilding the original clutch master cylinder with VP’s rebuild kit, but my existing master cylinder was still a seized rock, even after soaking in PB Blaster and sitting in a bath of CLR.

I finally gave up and ordered a whole new master cylinder from IPD.

I had to use a lot of the old master’s parts to make the new one work. The new master’s bracket for the clutch pedal wasn’t even close, and the reservoir lid was a super thin plastic. I used the old master’s pedal bracket (luckily the new master’s retaining pin worked with the old bracket), used the old threaded fitting for the clutch line, and will be using the old metal reservoir lid when I find the new lid seal on the garage.

https://flic.kr/p/2q56fdV

https://flic.kr/p/2q4Yuuw
 
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July 2, 2024

I borrowed my wife's covered parking spot to escape the heat (107 degrees). Tackled the overheating issues, which turned out to be a stuck thermostat. Drained the coolant while I was at it and tossed in some fresh coolant, along with new coolant hoses.

https://flic.kr/p/2q4XkeW
 
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July 2, 2024

Got a “new” headlight and bezel in (zip-tied, shhhhhhh). This fender’s been in an accident, so nothing lined up right, but you can’t tell from a 1/4 mile away or when it’s dark outside lol. Headlights and taillights both work. Dash lights are pretty rad, I’ve always loved the green on these. Looks like one of the instrument cluster bulbs is out, no big deal.

https://flic.kr/p/2q4XwoV
https://flic.kr/p/2q4WaC1
https://flic.kr/p/2q4RpzL
 
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July 4, 2024

Successful first drive! Tacked on about five miles to hunt for ethanol-free gas.

First impressions:
The car key is tiny... I'm pretty sure the key to my file cabinet is more complex. The car starts really easy, usually don't need the choke at all (ask me again in winter), but it's definitely idling high and running rich - I'll get it all hammered out one of these evenings. Driving-wise, the steering is a little sloppy but not too bad, and the tires are GARBAGE; flat spots, cracks, and under-inflated (too scared to fill them anymore lol). For not having assisted brakes, it has good stopping power. No grinds, clunks, or squeaks from the suspension. On the to-do list are new door/window seals, along with new exhaust, because the inside of the car sure gets smelly.
Otherwise, just trying to make peace with the excess of spiders in the interior!

I'm excited to get the car out more to get familiar with it. I'm still in the "Is that smell normal? Is it going to break down? When can I stop double and triple-checking to make sure the fire extinguisher is on the passenger seat?" phase.

https://flic.kr/p/2q4Yjca
https://flic.kr/p/2q4Vzk3
 
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July 10, 2024

Needs adjusting, but the ‘65 is now rocking an overrider. I discovered two bolts snapped when removing the old bumper, yuck. The previous guy didn't use enough heat and PB Blaster, I guess. Maybe that's why only part of the bumper was removed? Mysteries. Went easy otherwise.
Pro tip for those of us in the PNW: Tacoma Screw has bolts that are identical to the stock bumper bolts for cheap (I think I paid ~$3 for all four).

https://flic.kr/p/2q4YcfQ
 
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July 1-10, 2024

Oh yeah, it’s all coming together.

Mercury Grand Marquis wheels for the win! Seriously, they’re great. Direct bolt-on (even used the Volvo’s lug nuts just fine).

I’ve read in a couple of places that these wheels were made by Speedline in Italy, which obviously sounds cooler than saying they came off a Mercury.

Anyway, scouring the junkyards, I was able to find two wheels from a 1999 Grand Marquis, one from a 1998 Grand Marquis, and one from a Ford Crown Victoria with a sport package. I don’t remember where I found the fifth.

Thanks to Dean of Machines and Justin Schmidt (not sure if he’s on here), I was able to narrow down the tire specs. Rocking 205/55/R16 tires.

The car will be lowered eventually, so I’m happy to have a slightly smaller sidewall.

I didn’t realize how bad my old tires were until I pulled them off, yikes!

https://flic.kr/p/2q4RjYG
https://flic.kr/p/2q4R2Wf
https://flic.kr/p/2q4YnUL
https://flic.kr/p/2q4VU5C
 
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