Volvo did fairly properly promoting the homely PV444/544 in the US starting within the center Fifties, and its better-looking successor first appeared on our shores as a 1960 mannequin. That was the Amazon, which was out there right here by 1968. At this time’s Junkyard Gem is a type of vehicles, present in a Northern California self-service yard just lately.
The Amazon title wasn’t used on these vehicles in North America (they got 122S badging right here), however everyone makes use of the home-market title for these vehicles by this time.
The engine is Volvo’s dependable 1.8-liter pushrod straight-four, rated at 115 horsepower and 112 pound-feet.
The transmission is a four-speed guide.
I’ve discovered fairly just a few discarded Amazons throughout my junkyard travels, as these are rugged vehicles which have lengthy impressed highly effective affection from their house owners.
This one was so beloved that its last proprietor penned a farewell observe to its flank earlier than sending it on its last tow-truck experience to Decide-n-Pull. The automotive saved a minimum of two lives, although it will have been good to get extra particulars right here.
The automotive that did all of it!
It was in tough form by the point of its retirement, with the top-down rust you see on California vehicles that dwell close to the Pacific and its salt spray.
Junkyard customers had bought many of the inside and trim parts by the point I arrived.
The substitute for the Amazon was the 140, which arrived in the US as a 1968 mannequin and later advanced into the 200 Collection.
Turns you right into a Swedish rally driver!
Volvos are constructed so properly that they final a mean of 11 years in Sweden.
The very best Amazon commercials are in Swedish, in fact.
