Hey Patrick- welcome to the site. We've got some interesting similarities- I'm also in NYC and bought a '66 two-door Amazon last November! (and hey, '66 IS NOT 40 years old, at least not yet! I like having a car that's the same age as I am, but don't go adding years on!). Yes, every single time I drive the car in the city I get into at least one conversation about it- many times someone wanting to reminisce about the 122 they had years ago, how much they loved it, etc.

NYC streets are murderous, as you of course know. When I bought my 122 it had IPD lowered springs (you have the IPD catalog, don't you?) and KYB shocks, which is not a good combo. Bilstiens are pricey, but good shocks for an Amazon, and you don't need to drop the front springs to put them in. Replacing the KYBs with the bilstiens made some difference in the pothole surfing, but not a huge amount. I've decided to try out a pair of John Parker's progressive springs in the front and see how that works out. If you have stock springs on your car I'd keep 'em and put on a set of the Bilstiens.

I too like to do as much as I can on my car, though as you said, curb-side wrenching in NYC can be problematic! Especially when it's cold. Email me off the board and I'll give you a mechanic recommendation that was given to me by another 'Amazonian.'

I keep my 122 garaged in Queens and don't use it too much around the city, mostly for trips out of town. What color is your 122? I'll be on the lookout for it!

Tom