Each year, as the evenings begin to stretch, thoughts turn to getting the 1965 Volvo back on the road. While the car saw use over the winter, a thorough once over before the longer summer runs is always time well spent. Distance has a way of exposing the small things.
The starting point is simple enough. Safety first. A car that has sat, even for short periods, can develop issues quietly. Rubber hardens, fluids settle, connections loosen. It does not take much for a small fault to become a problem on an open road.
Once satisfied that it is safe, attention turns to reliability. The aim is straightforward. Avoid being left at the roadside, or worse, facing a repair that could have been prevented with a careful check in the workshop. With recovery cover limited to six callouts a year and a few classic vehicles to keep on the road, there is little room for error. Proper pre-summer checks are essential.
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VOLVO AMAZON
At 26, Jan Wilsgaard was responsible for the design of the Amazon, reflecting Volvo’s functional and sensible boxy styling. He later designed the 140 Series, 164, 240 Series, 760 and 850 Series. The Amazon became the first production car in the world to be fitted with the patented three-point seat belt as standard. Production commenced in August 1956, with a total of 667,791 built in saloon and estate forms.
The widely held virtues of the Volvo Amazon model are strength and reliability, practicality and simplicity to maintain. The 120 series has a justified reputation for strength and reliability. And according to the Volvo Owners Club website: “Mechanical problems are usually down to lack of servicing. Engines will last 150,000 miles before major work is required, especially if the oil has been changed regularly along with the oil filter” and that “The transmission is a very robust affair, gearboxes are almost unbreakable.”
BASIC CHECKS
Oil and fuel system
Check oil level and look for leaks. Hoses can weep after temperature changes. Inspect fuel lines and take a moment to check the condition of the petrol in the tank.
Cooling system
Check coolant level and look for corrosion or leaks. Run the engine up to temperature and check again. Problems often show themselves when the system is under heat.
Brakes
Check pedal feel, fluid level and condition. Inspect hoses for cracks. A car that has been standing will not always stop as expected.
Initial movement
Ensure the handbrake releases correctly. Move the car gently forward and back, listening for binding or dragging.
Battery
Check charge and condition. A steady winter drain can take its toll. A trickle charger earns its keep here.
Lights
Confirm all exterior lights are working as they should, don’t forget the brake lights.
Wipers and washers
Check fluid level, operation and condition of the wiper blades. Rubber does not improve with age or storage.
Tyres and wheels
Check pressures, look for cracks and confirm tread depth. Ensure wheel nuts are correctly tightened.
And the all-important visitors check
A quick inspection around the engine bay and airbox is worthwhile. Engine bay wiring, heating systems and inside the bumpers can attract wasps and rodents over winter.
After the first proper run, it is worth going through much of this again. Heat, vibration and use will often reveal what a static inspection cannot.
SUMMER MOTORING
Long summer evenings on the backroads of Ireland, windows down, cruising at 30 to 40 mph, the dual-carburettor 85 bhp engine moving the car with ease. The journey becomes the destination.
See you on the road this summer.
If you have an idea for a story, please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
Sources of Information, Photo, Video & Music Credits:
All music and sound effects used in Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport are royalty free and are fully licensed through Epidemic Sound. Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport therefore holds the legal right to use this audio material within its productions under the terms of the Epidemic Sound licensing agreement.
Shackred – YouTube
Volvo 120 & 130 Series (and P1800) (61 – 73) Haynes Repair Manual
Volvo 1944-1968 Workshop Manual PV444 PV544 (P110) P1800 PV445 P1
Volvo Owners Club
