Beskrivning
1963 Volvo Amazon Combi Estate RHD 220. Never welded.
Summary
This 1963 220 Amazon Combi has been subject to a full rebuild to a high standard and is ready to enjoy for years to come. It comes fitted with period correct modifications to make it safer to use on modern roads; inertia reel front seatbelts, rear lap belts, servo assisted disc brakes, overdrive and mild engine tuning. The car has covered just 200 or so miles since rebuild.
History
This car spent the first 53 years of its life in the USA and most importantly in the dry state of Nevada. It was imported to the UK in 2016. I purchased it in 2019 from the well-known UK Volvo amazon expert Tony Whitton. Tony had gone through the car mechanically and converted it from left to UK friendly right hand drive. He did not use the car on the road, only road registering and MOT testing the car when I purchased it. The paint was sun burnt as was the trim and interior. I used the car for 6 months to get to know it and then stripped it and restored it to the current condition through lockdown. The car is finished in its original colours of California white over red.
Exterior
The car was stripped to a bare rolling shell, with all glass and trim removed, it was then media blasted, epoxy primed and repainted in 2K paint. The shell was in remarkable condition, the floors, sills, jacking points, and all structural elements of the car where incredibly sound. As you would expect the car presents well. The underside of the car had been repainted by the previous owner to a good standard and was left as is. The windscreen, lights and most external rubber seals were replaced with new items including all window seals. The door and boot locks were replaced and one key fits all external locks. Thankfully the difficult to source fuel cap is in place and correct. A genuine Volvo tow bar has been fitted complete with correct wiring and a reproduction roof rack finishes off the look.
Wheels and tyres.
The correct 4. 5J early wheels have been powder coated, fitted with new correct sized tyres and new hub caps. The stainless trims are original and in good order.
Interior
The interior had really suffered from sun damage. I am told that the car spent some time on a USAF base being used by aircrew to drive around the base. As a result, the sun damage to the trim rendered most of it unsuitable for reuse. The following items have been replaced with new items sourced from the many excellent parts suppliers, Seats, recovered, new head lining, new door cards, new boot carpet, new carpet set, new kick panels, new dash top, new tailgate carpet, new rear seat back carpet. All other interior items were refurbished. 2 phone charging points were fitted under the dash. New inertia reel seat belts were fitted along with 3 lap belts for rear seat passengers. The dash and door caps were repainted at the same time as the exterior. The radio planking plate is present and correct.
Mechanical
While the body was away to be painted attention turned to the mechanical parts of the car. The original engine was an unknown, so it was stripped and inspected. The crank was reground, the block was re-bored and honed. The head was fitted with hardened valve seats, allowing safe running of unleaded fuel. The engine was then rebuilt with new bearings, an new oil pump, new pistons and rings , a ‘D’ profile camshaft. The twin SU carburetors where refurbished and re-bushed by Turner carburetors. The engine was also fitted with new front and rear covers allowing modern lip type seals to be used. The overdrive gearbox was serviced and cleans, new seals were fitted and a new clutch was also fitted.
The previous owner refurbished the running gear to a high standard with new brake calipers, brake discs and rear shoes. Many bushes and other parts have been renewed.
Electrical
The dynamo has been replaced with an alternator, a fresh battery has been fitted and many electrical items have been renewed, the overdrive switch, lights, horns (now fitted with a relay) and the fuse box.
The car is available to view near Colchester Essex and I am happy to help with international shipping.
