As the owner of a 1965 Volvo Amazon, I fully acknowledge that my choice of daily driver isn’t as reliable as a modern car. The advancements in performance, comfort, fuel efficiency, and safety over the past six decades are undeniable when comparing my Amazon to any car from 2025. Yet, despite these differences, I fully embrace the quirks and character that come with classic car ownership.
BREAKDOWNS
As any classic car owner will tell you, a breakdown presents a few familiar options—call a friend, contact a garage, or let the AA handle it. As the owner of several classic bikes, and my 1996 Harley-Davidson in particular, I’ve become well-acquainted with the AA team—often on a first-name basis. The big yellow taxi has backed into my driveway more times than I can count, faithfully delivering home a wounded car or motorbike.
Despite the occasional unpredictability of my car and bikes, I have to admit—I actually enjoy breaking down. Each breakdown introduces me to the kindest people! Having experienced plenty of roadside mishaps both in Ireland and abroad, I consider myself an expert, and I’ve yet to encounter anyone who wasn’t willing to help or who had ill intentions towards me.
SPANISH BREAKDOWN
One particularly memorable breakdown happened when the coil failed on my Harley in the Picos de Europa, northern Spain. A passing biker stopped and helped me to arrange a tow truck. However, due to some confusion about my exact location—I ended up waiting for hours. Thankfully, a kind family living across the road noticed my predicament and twice brought me sandwiches and cold drinks throughout the afternoon.
As dusk fell, a tow truck finally arrived and took me to a local shop. Guaje, the owner, along with his incredible team at Norte Motorcycles came to my rescue. Not only did he fix my bike, but he also took me to a hotel and made sure I was safely back on the road the following day. I didn’t just get my Harley running again—it gave me friends for life.
DUBLIN BREAKDOWN
Back to breaking down in Ireland—I’ve had my fair share of letdowns with my Volvo, but none were as enjoyable as the one on Parliament Street, Dublin, on Saturday, March 16th, 2024. What was meant to be a carefully planned night-time video project, capturing the experience of cruising through Dublin in my 1965 Volvo Amazon on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, took an unexpected turn. I had mapped out a tour of central Dublin, intending to take in the Georgian Quarter, Christchurch and St. Patrick’s Cathedrals, O’Connell Street, and a leisurely spin around the city—but the breakdown turned it into an adventure of its own.
With my plans set in motion, I headed into Dublin in the early evening, everything running smoothly—until the dashboard lights began to dim. My trusty Volvo Amazon had other ideas, gently rolling to a stop at the traffic lights outside The Beer Temple pub on Parliament Street. Despite my best efforts, there was no reviving it—another electrical fault, another failed coil!
CRAIC ON THE STREETS
For me, it turned out to be a truly enjoyable experience. People stopped by to chat, including a lovely elderly couple from South Africa who had both driven several Amazons over the years. An Italian couple reminisced about the classic cars they remembered from their time in London, sharing stories about their old Morris Minor and the countless times they had to push-start it due to a flat battery.
I had polished the Volvo to perfection for my city-centre road trip, and under the glow of the streetlights, I was the first to admit, the car looked absolutely stunning. A broken-down classic car in the heart of Dublin became an unexpected gathering point, drawing in a random mix of people from all walks of life. What started as a mechanical mishap soon turned into a lively exchange of stories and shared memories of vintage cars and past roadside adventures.
BEDEVILMENT
After a while the crowds thinned out and this is when I noticed a group of elderly American tourists, inside The Beer Temple pub, waving and gesturing through the window and enthusiastically inviting me in for a drink. Before long, they sent out an emissary to investigate, and that’s how I met Brad from Minnesota. He struck up a great conversation, sharing stories about his old Ford F-Series pickup and its unreliable electrics.
I’ll be the first to admit there was a bit of bedevilment in me when Brad curiously asked how I’d managed to leave my car parked on the street for so long without being moved on by the Garda. Without missing a beat, I told him that classic car owners had been granted the freedom of Dublin City—a well-known privilege, of course—which allowed us to park our cars anywhere within the city walls, especially on St. Patrick’s weekend.
Armed with this knowledge, Brad returned to his group. I watched as he shared the story, met with a mix of knowing nods and a hint of scepticism. Before long, he was sent back out to double-check, and that’s when I had to come clean—I’d been pulling his leg. He took it very well and we then spent another half hour chatting about old cars and pick-up trucks and he is still a great follower on Ireland Made – stories of Irish transport.
But honestly, wouldn’t it be fantastic if classic car owners were granted free parking in the city on St. Patrick’s Day? Now that’s a tradition worth starting!
BIG YELLOW TAXI
Not long after, Michael from the AA arrived—and as it happened, we’d already met a few months earlier outside Bruxelles Pub off Grafton Street when my Harley refused to start! With his usual expertise, he quickly diagnosed the issue, and before long, the Volvo was loaded onto the back of the big yellow truck, homeward bound. The fix was simple—a new coil—and soon enough, the Volvo was back on the road, ready for its next adventure.
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADES
As we get our classic cars ready for St. Patrick’s Day parades across Ireland, we should also be ready for the unexpected—the occasional breakdown and, more importantly, the great craic that comes with it. Some of the best conversations happen roadside, with strangers who stop to help, swap stories, and share a laugh. Honestly, I think I should break down more often!
Of course, when your classic car is firing on all cylinders and there is a blue sky, you just have to go for a spin in the country. In May 2024 I didn’t meet a single person that day because I didn’t break down! “1965 Volvo Amazon Exploring Ireland Summer 2024 | Season 4 – Episode 38” https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17sXRfn5P4/
If you have an idea for a story please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
If you have been enjoying our stories (400+ stories to date) and want to support our work in preserving Ireland’s rich transport heritage, please subscribe via our Facebook page – click the blue button https://www.facebook.com/IrlMade/subscribe/ or click the red button on our website https://irelandmade.ie/
Photo credits:
Oto Winkler – Lifestyle Photography
