Description
Originally purchased in 1962, according to previous sales literature ‘HPO’ was used sparingly until it was entombed in its garage during some home improvements in the early 1970’s. There it stayed, having covered a mere 3, 500 miles until 2016 when the car was released after its only owner passed on. The car was sold through Anglia Car Auctions to its current owner in their November 2017 auction in need of ‘light restoration’
When it arrived at Classic Project Shop in February 2018 it was clear that it needed much more than that! The engine was seized and because the car had been stored outside during 2016/ 17 there was a lot of rust, specifically where water had got inside of the car and then laid up. The decision was made to rebuild the car exactly as its current owner wanted it.
Body
The body was media blasted, repaired and sent to KC Autocolours in Witney who prepared and painted the car in Indigo Blue with a Moondust Silver roof. The completed shell was then returned to Project Shop for rebuild. The chrome was all sent off, repaired, triple-coated and polished. The original ‘122S’ badges were carefully repainted and fitted to the wings.
Engine and Transmission
The engine was stripped to component parts, the block vapour blasted, bored and honed. The cylinder head vapour blasted, ported and polished. Whilst the body was being repainted the engine was rebuilt with a new ‘fast road’ cam, lightened flywheel, +20 pistons, con-rods, pushrods, and followers. The twin SU carburettors were stripped and rebuilt with all new gaskets and seals as well as new needles to match the performance upgrades of the engine. The 4-speed gearbox and Laycock overdrive were stripped, cleaned and rebuilt with fresh seals and gaskets, before being mounted to the engine with a new LUK clutch kit. The result is a very tractable and peppy engine, mated to the overdrive this 122S will happily cruise at 70 MPH all day long with a top speed of 105 MPH.
When the engine was fitted back into the body shell a number of sensible upgrades were made to the ancillaries to make sure the car was turn key reliable. These include a: Deep core radiator, SU electronic fuel pump, Malpassi fuel regulator, 123 Electronic Ignition, modern alternator K&N air filters and heat wrapped full stainless steel exhaust system.
Suspension and Brakes
The original car had just single line brakes and solid discs at the front. The brakes were substantially upgraded with a twin line brake master cylinder and new front callipers which allowed for vented front discs. The rear brakes are drums and like the rest of the brake system were brand new at the time of restoration.
The car rides on 15” x 5. 5J Volvo wheels shod in Dunlop Sport 195/ 65 R15 tyres. The suspension was completely rebuilt with a ‘sporting drive’ theme including all new rubber bushes, KONI Sport Classic shock absorbers and 1. 5” lowering springs. The car handles like it is on rails and has stopping power that will shade all but the very best sports saloons of its era.
Electrics and Wiring Loom
The electrical detail was very important to offer as much reliability as possible so a brand new wiring loom and fuse box were sourced and installed. The standard dash clocks were rebuilt and although simple, offer all the information the driver could wish for. There is a period correct Motorola FM radio in the dash converted by Chrome London so that music can be wirelessly streamed via any Bluetooth device.
Interior
The interior is largely as Volvo would recognise it, but to create a fitting contrast with the blue exterior the seats have been trimmed in red leather. The carpets are 100% wool and trimmed in blue vinyl. The dash board has been colour coded to match the blue exterior.
History
Since leaving Project Shop after its restoration was complete in May 2019 the Volvo has covered 3, 000 miles between local trips, weekend jaunts up to Lancashire and the 2019 Goodwood Road Racing Tour of Wales. Covid effected 2020 saw the car mainly laid up, but it has just had a full fluids service, tune up and fresh MOT at Project Shop to ready it for sale.
The history file includes an original registration document, sales brochures, instruction booklet, comprehensive photo documented restoration file, MOT’s and the sales details from Anglia Auctions. The restoration cost was £35, 000, so this amazing vehicle is available for a fraction of the cost of build. It is freshly serviced, MOT’d and turnkey reliable.
For further information and pictures please contact
