Volvo 122S Project

Saner · Dec 28, 2011

So, I may have made a grave mistake, but I am now the new owner of:

I have always liked these and have always wanted to restore a classic car.

Parts are still readily avalible and resonablly priced, but this car is pretty solid and came with alot of spares.

Plans are to completely strip, dip, repair the shell. Then rebuild with reconditioned, modern parts if possible.

I have two 1.6 engines but will most likely swap these for a Tuned 2.0, which should be about the 180bhp mark

Unfortunatly being in Retail I have very limited time off work, and live away from where the car is stored. I've already accepted that this will take atleast 2 years!

Bluebeard · Dec 28, 2011

2 years?? And the rest!

Good luck.

Saner · Dec 28, 2011

I know, just like to kid myself!

The stripping down will take a week, its the rebuilding that takes time. The car bar a few things to connect is fuly functioning at the moment, so should be able to document it for rebuilding.

Bluebeard · Dec 28, 2011

I wish I never ever started building my clio. I can't even bear to look at the thing any more.

Everything always seems much better when thinking it through in your head doesn't it! lol.

BREMBO · Dec 28, 2011

Cool project, looks in fairly good condition

Scrooge · Dec 28, 2011

Awesome.

Bobdylan · Dec 28, 2011

very nice find! i'll be watching this for updates :approve:

Whiteley · Dec 28, 2011

That's ace, good luck with it

Gray · Dec 28, 2011

You're a brave man!

Dave.. · Dec 28, 2011

What have you done.

Will. · Dec 28, 2011

HAHA that's brilliant. Enjoy.

Matt Cup · Dec 28, 2011

Thats pretty awesome. Look forward to the updates

kpowell911 · Dec 28, 2011

One of the most random threads I've ever entered lol!

Gaz. · Dec 28, 2011

Sweet. PLEEEEASE stick a modern 5 cyl turbo in it!

theduck · Dec 28, 2011

Love it! Good luck with it.

Owen · Dec 28, 2011

Nice.

Oh and this would be epic:

Gaz. said:
Sweet. PLEEEEASE stick a modern 5 cyl turbo in it!

Turkish · Dec 29, 2011

Give it a healthy dose of stance too.

Saner · Dec 29, 2011

I do keep toying with the engine and running gear from a T5, but the reality is I don't have the time or money. But most importantly, I have NO fabrication skills, its all new to me!

'Stance' will be improved, no worries there. Aim is to end up with a Classic car that can be used everyday without worrying about it falling apart.

Turkish · Dec 29, 2011

Good man. Let's face it on a car like that you're not going to be destroying any epic handling characteristics so a decent drop and some deep dish rims with a good offset will look spot on. Can't help thinking it would look a lot better in black than the current blue.

Ian_182 · Dec 29, 2011

Nice old car,i like it.

Here's some inspiration...

Turkish · Dec 29, 2011

I've seen that one on SW, fitment on the front is good but the rear has too much poke IMO.

theduck · Dec 29, 2011

Current blue makes it look like the Hudson hornet... Red wheels and 'cars' eyes are now a must lol.

Goodj · Dec 29, 2011

Stance Works Volvo makes baby jesus cry.

Sounds like you've got one big project there, good luck with it!

Saner · Dec 29, 2011

When new it would have looked like:

With regards to handling : http://www.volvoadventures.com/120works.html

Volvo 120's were very very successful Rally cars, so I want to keep some of that handling!

Turkish · Dec 29, 2011

A horse and cart was the pinnacle of transport when first made, it may have handled well for its era but my point was it's hardly going to be a B road blaster and epic in the twisties so dropping it won't ruin it as such.

Goodj · Dec 29, 2011

Wouldn't rock-solid, slammed suspension just cause the entire chassis to waap within about 400 yeards?

Dan519 · Dec 29, 2011

I Love amazons, thats so cool it hurts

Saner · Dec 29, 2011

Turkish said:
A horse and cart was the pinnacle of transport when first made, it may have handled well for its era but my point was it's hardly going to be a B road blaster and epic in the twisties so dropping it won't ruin it as such.

True dat, but I don't want to go as far as the SW one.

It will be on Alloys, Fatter tires, Lower and 'flush' (Is that the right word :S). Will need to find some deeep rims to keep the current suspension though!

Turkish · Dec 29, 2011

Goodj said:
Wouldn't rock-solid, slammed suspension just cause the entire chassis to waap within about 400 yeards?

It can be done in moderation. Lowered does not automatically = crazy high spring rates or ride height that drags the chassis rails. I'd be just looking to fill the arches a bit better and a neat amount of gap between tyre and arch not some crazy hellaflush fitment.

Saner · Dec 29, 2011

Thats what I'l after. Bilstein B8's with Custom Springs and teh right Wheel Tyre combo should be spot on.

ElkWorks · Dec 30, 2011

amazon lover here also, nearly bought one a couple of years ago, but bought a C70 instead, very different!

inspiration

really want a 544 nowadays, but id more than likely have to get one straight from sweden or norway

even toyed with getting a 340 to stick my 172 lump into

dalla · Dec 30, 2011

Goodj said:
Wouldn't rock-solid, slammed suspension just cause the entire chassis to waap within about 400 yeards?

The Amazon is a monocouque body.

Saner · Mar 1, 2012

Just got the front and rear axles to remove then the preparation for rebuilding car start.

Scrooge · Mar 1, 2012

Great work, that looks to be a fairly solid shell there tbh.

The Boosh! · Mar 1, 2012

Now post the other picture with you stood next to the bay on your drive looking dead pleased with yourself!

Tom · Mar 1, 2012

F7?

Theres a dutch guy that works with me thats mental into amazons, want his email?

Englebert · Mar 1, 2012

Alright Tom, just because they like Volvos doesn't make them gay.

This is an ace project, looking forward to seeing how it goes!

Saner · Mar 2, 2012

The Boosh! said:
Now post the other picture with you stood next to the bay on your drive looking dead pleased with yourself!

I was like a little child! Whilst doing it I was thinking, I'm taking an engine out of a car, I'm so cool.

Tom said:
F7?

Theres a dutch guy that works with me thats mental into amazons, want his email?

Engine? B16B, Very old and rare, could drop in a B20* which would be easily capable of 180bhp but due to age and rarity of the car am going to stick with the B16B, rebuilt should be about 90 /100bhp. E-Mail would be much appricated.

This car being 1961 it seems that it should have different fittings etc and finding correct information is difficult.

Current total spend, including car, garage equipment and parts i've already sold off the car or weighed in is £680, this will sky rocket in the next few months when I start rebuilding.

theduck · Mar 2, 2012

Saner said:
I was like a little child! Whilst doing it I was thinking, I'm taking an engine out of a car, I'm so cool.

Haha, I had the same kind of felling when I pulled the engine out my robinhood!

Saner · Mar 4, 2012

Started ordering Parts today. No turning back.

SuperFlex bushes all round at about £200
Conversion from Front Drums to Discs (Includes Calipers, Fixings,Wheel Bearings, Hub, Back Plate Discs) about £700
Bilstien B6 Sport Dampers x 4 £440
Progressive Springs x 4 with a 40mm drop £300
Goodridge Hoses + EBC Green Stuff Pads £110

This should enable me to rebuild the front and rear suspension whilst it is off the car, then I can put that to one side as a job done.

Hopefully get the car dipped end of this month which is when the scary bodywork will start, rear arches will definatly need replacing.

Just have to keep reminding myself that by spending the money now, I wont have things going wrong in the future (I hope!)

Also, If I can source some rare parts I should be able to get 160bhp from the B16, so all the more reason to upgrade the brakes.

Volvo 122S Project

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