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restoration/mild customization of my 1965 Volvo Amazon 131 120-130 1965

posted by  ctagg on  Tue Jul 10 21:23 CST 2007
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last visit: Sat Oct 20 04:15 CST 2007
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First post here, so not entirely sure what the etiquette is, but thought you might be interested in knowing about the restoration of my 1965 Amazon 131. I've had the Amazon for 19 years now, and for most of that time it's been my daily driver, living on the streets of London with all that entails (rain, leaves, minor bashes from people who don't know how to park, scrapes from passing trucks).

Finally this spring decided to give it the restoration (and mild customisation) it deserves. It's being done at Romance of Rust, in Ealing, west London, and I think it's going to be really tasty at the end of it. Not sure yet how to post photos, but I'm going to try to attach a pic of one of the wheels, so you can see the colour and general vibe. I'm keeping a full record of the project over at Autopendium, here: http://autopendium.com/vehicles/3-1965-Volvo-Amazon-131-two-door-
Would be interested in your comments.

Thanks
Chris









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    UPDATE: one-piece front bumper (fender) 120-130 1965

    posted by  ctagg on  Sat Jul 28 07:22 CST 2007
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    last visit: Sat Oct 20 04:15 CST 2007
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    Quick update -- feels like a while since I updated this thread. Work's been progressing apace, and we're now pretty much ready for painting the body.

    We've now pretty much done the bumpers (fenders), making them into one-piece affairs. It's not been easy, and full details are on the Amazon's page on Autopendium.

    In the meantime, here's a pic of the finished one-piece front-bumper (before chroming, obviously):

    Volvo Amazon on piece front bumper on Autopendium








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    UPDATE: front suspension 120-130 1965

    posted by  ctagg on  Thu Jul 12 12:08 CST 2007
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    last visit: Sat Oct 20 04:15 CST 2007
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    Quick update to add pic I took today of the front suspension, which we got blasted and powder coated. Also got all the bolts blasted and zinc plated. New poly bushes obviously. The pic shows the suspension assembly half-way through the rebuild. More pics on the Amazon's page on Autopendium









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      UPDATE: front suspension 120-130 1965

      posted by  jmenacker on  Fri Jul 13 00:58 CST 2007
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      last visit: Wed Jan 21 09:31 CST 2009
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      Exceptionally nice looking work. Are you going to install a heavier than stock sway bar up front to go along with the poly bushings? If not, it is highly worthwhile to reconsider. On both my 544 (rip) and 122 an IPD sway bar upgraded cornering ability to near modern standards.

      IPD Amazon Suspension Parts

      Please post more pics any time.

      Best regards,

      Joe M in WV








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        UPDATE: front suspension 120-130 1965

        posted by  ctagg on  Fri Jul 13 08:50 CST 2007
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        last visit: Sat Oct 20 04:15 CST 2007
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        Yes. The front and back bars are on their way. My experience with anti-sawy bars on other cars is the meatier the better.








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    Thanks for sharing - nice read 120-130 1965

    posted by  jmenacker on  Tue Jul 10 22:43 CST 2007
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    last visit: Wed Jan 21 09:31 CST 2009
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    It is exciting to see proficiency in high tech (autopia documentation and getting the pic right in your first Brickboard post) and low tech (40+ year old daily driver). Is this a "retirement" package for your Amazon? It's going to be museum quality when finished. Tremendous work. Hearty congrats.

    Has a body color been selected yet?

    Best regards,

    Joe M in WV








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      Thanks for sharing - nice read 120-130 1965

      posted by  ctagg on  Tue Jul 10 22:50 CST 2007
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      last visit: Sat Oct 20 04:15 CST 2007
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      The body colour's going to be the same as the wheels -- did the wheels early just to confirm I'd made the right choice. (Always been a sucker for steels painted same colour as the body.

      And no, it's still going to be my daily driver after the restoration -- though it will no longer be parked on the streets. If I spread the cost of the resto over the next 20 years can just about justify it rationally :-)

      Couple of final decisions to be taken in the next day or so -- still finalising the colour of the interior, and need to decide on tyres (may start a new post asking for suggestions - Michelin ZXs have been suggested, though they seem difficult to get hold of)








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        All Season Rubber 120-130 1965

        posted by  jmenacker on  Wed Jul 11 01:07 CST 2007
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        last visit: Wed Jan 21 09:31 CST 2009
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        Our '66 is a daily driver all year round as well. The current set of Yokohama Avid T4 185/65/R15 on stock rims have performed very well over 10K miles. The previous set were Kumho Ecsta ASX 195/65/R15. The Kumhos were a bit stickier but the 195's on four-inch rims weren't as stable in high speed cornering if pressure wasn't carefully maintained.



        Glad to hear your car will still get out and have fun after all the love is lavished on it.

        Best regards,

        Joe M in WV






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