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Let's detail the Volvo 122S Amazon
Wagon
Page Two
As I was getting ready to install the rear reflex housings,
I saw a bubble in at the bottom lower corner, and of course
I had to pick at it. Swell, now I have to fix that...
Well, some exploratory surgery would be required. Off with
the bumper, it needs to be replaced anyway.
A friend helped me with some shinier and straighter parts
for the rear bumper. An attic crawl at the same friend
should yield the rear bumperettes too, I hope.
...and here is the reason the bumper need to come off. The
rust extends under the panel.
Gotta love those fine Swedish engineers...This "J" shaped
support is probably adding some serious strength to this
corner behind the bumper, but a flat "shelf" like this is
begging for a place for dirt to collect and hold moisture.
After 44 years it rusted thru, and helped caused the rust
problem we are dealing with.
Rust repair is easy: Remove the rusted material, put in new
steel...right?
Template |
Duplicate |
Test fit |
Weld |
Paint |
Put stuff back... |
It is hard to leave anything alone..I had to clean and paint
all the hardware.
Instead of buying expensive chrome bumper bolts, I buy
stainless carriage bolts and just polish the head. Cheap and
corrosion free.
Assembled and a quite shinier than the old one. Still
missing the bumperettes, but they will have to come later.
Finally, both the reflex housings are in place and a decent
bumper.
The paper kick panels had been...kicked...for many years. I
am using plastic door panel material, and it has a vinyl
grain surface on one side, similar to the Volvo paper
version..
After tracing the shape and duplicating the holes, I got a
sturdy kick panel.
While I was at it, I detailed the ...glove...shelf.
Bullet proof kick panel and nice shelf. Now I better get
some of those Swedish driving gloves to put on my shelf.
Now this corner of the car looks presentable.
As usual, the car was equipped with these cheesy sealed beam
head lights. It's time for better lights.
I was tempted to install eCode Hella lights, but the flat
lenses would not look right on the curvy Amazon body.
These are nice vintage Auterroche lenses that I adapted to
Bosch reflectors and H4 bulbs.
Much better...and powerful lights too.
Now it is nice enough to take out on the streets of Seattle,
they look like
this. Really !
With new rear springs the car sits nice and straight. It
also handles great.
This is how life could be if you owned a Volvo
Amazon...consider it.
Here we are, mud flaps in place, keeping the mud away...cars
looks good right after sunset, don't they?
March 2011 update:
I added these vintage Hella lights using 123GT brackets.
Looks great.
Parked next to my 1966 Impala wagon the Volvo looks a bit
small. Love that car too but I had to make a choice.
The Impala is now sold. I am OK with it....really!
Borrowed these Bullitt Mustang 17X8 ! wheels from
my tire guy to see if they fit the Volvo wagon.
They FIT. Well, I would have to rework the brake
line routing, steering stops and the center caps. But
still, kinda intriguing.
Of course, this would put a new meaning to
Armstrong power steering!!
Page 3
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