Description

  • Rare 2.0 litre twin carb
  • £2,300 of recent receipts
  • Recent respray
  • New calipers and pads
  • Excellent driver, structurally sound and ready to drive

The Amazon was a mid-sized car manufactured by Volvo between 1956 and 1970. It shared the wheelbase, tall posture and H-point seating of its predecessor. It was offered in two or four door sedan and five-door estate body styles. In 1959 Volvo became the world’s first manufacturer to provide front seat belts as standard and then later the Amazon was the first car to feature three-point seat belts as standard equipment.

By the end of production, almost 668k Amazons had rolled off the lines, less than 10% of which were estate models.

This truly lovely Amazon 221 Estate looks great in its Volvo blue paint. These estates are hard to find. It’s even rarer to find one as honest as this with a 2.0 litre twin carb engine.

Our vendor purchased the Amazon a couple of years ago however he failed to send the V5 off until a year later, meaning it shows that he has owned it less than a year. Owning a car garage, he spent his spare time between jobs recommissioning and refurbishing this car to its current condition.

Advised that it had been stored for around thirty years and hadn’t deteriorated much at all, the previous owner also shared that the engine had been rebuilt. Unfortunately, there is no paperwork to support that, but we are told it runs sweetly.

  • First registered 24th October 1967
  • V5 in our vendor’s name
  • Old V5 (Blue one) in the document pack
  • £2300 receipts of recent works
  • File of old paperwork
  • Haynes manual
  • 1 of 110 left on the road
  • Showing mileage of 4395

With the mileage reading 4395, it seems from its condition and history that this car has most likely been around the clock and has actually covered 104,395 miles. The condition and the drive are so nice however that it would be easy to think it had done less. Either way it is described as running sweetly. A very good and rare find indeed.

Outside

This Volvo Amazon 221 Estate presents very nicely and has benefited from a respray in its original colour. Our vendor has been very honest in saying that it is not concours and he was never that happy with the finish in some areas – but we think it definitely looks great in the images.

He also shared that during the preparation the wings and front panel were removed for the repaint and a new nearside front door skin has been fitted. The inner wings were also welded, painted, and then treated to underseal. We are told that apart from that it was a very solid car that didn’t need much work at all. Clearly it was stored well prior to its recommissioning.

As you can see the brightwork is in decent condition with a mixture of original and new chrome here and there. The steel wheels all look to be straight and true with loads of tread on the 195/65 15 inch matching Michelin tyres. We haven’t checked the date stamp, but they are likely quite old now and may well need replacing if you are thinking of adding a lot of miles. The original chrome hubcaps are all present and add to the 60s look of this very pretty Amazon Estate.

The underneath is very solid with just the usual light surface rust. Pretty unbelievable for a car of this age but again, this is probably due to the years in storage.

Have a good look at the image gallery and you’ll see it is a lovely thing with immense character. It will make its new owner a very proud bunny indeed.

Interior

Inside, the interior has held up extremely well over the years. The only real stand out issue looks to be some small damage to the side of the driver’s seat frame covering. As can be expected with a car of this age it is showing some wear and tear but as with everything else on the car it’s not bad at all for a car of this vintage. Admittedly, there is some vinyl peeling from the binnacle and the top of the dash is showing a little aging but that is not unexpected at 57 years old.

The blue vinyl seats appear to be in remarkable condition. The carpets in the cabin and boot area also look to be in great condition with none of the usual fraying and wear that is often seen. The roof lining also seems to be in good nick.

The last thing to mention is that the switches and handles have an honest patina here and there, but we are advised that everything works as it should, even the original radio.

Mechanicals

Although there is not a great deal of paperwork for the engine work carried out, it is evident that it has been meticulously maintained. The 2-litre overhead valve four-cylinder, twin carb engine delivers plenty of punch, growling sportily when accelerating hard and is nestled in an engine bay that is honest and clean rather than show class detailed.

As previously mentioned, the previous owner shared that the engine was rebuilt at some point and during the recent recommissioning the usual bits sorted have been sorted.

  • New points
  • New condenser
  • Carb kit including Jets
  • Full new exhaust and clamps.

The gearbox is as slick as you would expect of a Volvo Amazon and has none of the usual issues of a 57-year-old car. The exhaust from the downpipe all the way to the stainless-steel rear box has been renewed.

Our vendor tells us that the running gear and suspension are in great condition; there’s nothing complicated about the suspension on the Volvo. At the front, the set-up comprises of coil springs and wishbones with a rugged solid rear axle set up at the rear. The Amazon drives as it should without any knocks or squeaks. The front calipers and brake pads are new, as are the wheel bearings so we can be confident it will stop as it should.

Our view

Owning and running a Volvo Amazon back in the day was always considered a safe bet. A reliable, classy (without being flash) well-built car. 57 years on we have one that is just as safe; a well sorted example that we expect will deliver just what you would want.

Being the very rare and sought after 2.0 litre twin carb version it will keep up with modern day traffic as well as presenting very well should you want to show it off at the odd car show.

Whatever you choose, we expect it will not hang around.

Vehicle Location: Brewood, Staffordshire ST19 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Volvo Amazon 221 Estate  ? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

**Update 3/6/24 – our vendor has advised that collection of the Amazon (once payment has cleared) will need to be 13th-15th June or from 1st July**

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that and, in a sector, where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’ on a vehicle.

Let’s be honest, everyone knows the broad value of a classic and the ‘market’ decides – the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, if you’d like us to provide an estimate that’s fine, just email us and we’ll get back to you.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please

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