Whenever I see a cool car around the neighborhood, I take pictures and send them to my pal Eric up in Portland who runs Other People’s Things, my favorite car blog. He responds with some knowledge and we post the results here and it’s called “Car Beat.” Here’s what Eric has to say about this lovely vintage Volvo:
This is a Volvo Amazon, known in the States as the 122S (1956-70, though this is a ’65-66). The 122S, much like the BMW 2002 is the car that cemented the company’s popularity with the American consumer.
The 1965-66 model year is one of the most relevant, with a brand new ergonomic seat design in fancy leatherette (aka PVC). It also featured what was a Volvo innovation that would soon become the standard for all auto manufacturers- the three-point safety belt.
One thing they didn’t figure out just yet was that beautiful but frustrating rear filler cap. One rear end collision and you can’t put gas in it.
Thanks, Eric! More pics (including a closeup of the rear filler cap) after the jump:
That is a beautiful car.
I see that beauty parked on my street all the time(folsom).
I’m curious about the gas mileage.
Gas mileage, emissions and safety will all be poor because of how old the car is.
22 MPG. There are lots of brand new cars that do worse than that.
Emissions aren’t so bad, but safety is definitely a concern. Somethings can be retrofitted (Dual master cylinders, seatbelts, disc brakes, etc), but it’ll never be as safe as a new vehicle that is designed with safety in mind.
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/roadtests/122S-RoadTest1966.pdf
The only cars that do that poorly these days are high end, low production number sports cars.
We should be so lucky. Sadly that is very much not the case. There are a ton of new cars that get <22 MPG. Mercedez-Benz, Mazda, Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, Chevy, Toyota, etc… they've all got new cars that get less than 22MPG.
well hellooooo.
i want to ride in this vehicle.
My first girlfriend had one of those, so I feel kinda sentimental about it.
We need to have a gathering of the old folks before you move.
Well, maybe. Fair warning, though — I’m antisocial.
Cool, we can stare into our drinks and grumble like old folks do.
Beautiful! I’ve seen that one on the street many times — thanks for the model identification, I’d been wondering.
ah yes…the amazon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djguAxWPQJA
http://motoburg.com/images/volvo-amazon-wagon-05.jpg
I come from a long line of 122 and 124 owners. These cars were great in the ’70′s. They were cheap to acquire and cheap and easy to maintain. They were as safe as anything else made at the time. Shoulder harnesses were standard. They weren’t fast but they were comfortable. The B22 engine would run forever. The extra long shifter with a walnut knob with the Volvo male arrow was always a source for juvenile giggles. The first time I ever smoked dope was in one these, listening to “Wish you were here” on the after market in-dash cassette. That 122 was black with red leatherette interior. We called her Black Betty.
This one has always been my favorite.
The keys pressure is the reason why we together