I've commented many times that classic (pre-240) volvos are as common as "chicken teeth" in the St. Louis region. But waiting has finally led to amazing luck. I have a donor for my Amazon.

Today I bought JohnMC's 1971 P1800E. I don't think I've ever seen a Volvo with so much bondo and rust (pre-John). Trully a wasted body, but it still has quite a lot of zip! The engine has <120,000 miles. The body is one of the worst I've ever seen. The shell is beyond restoration, but man does that baby cruise! Overdrive, all disk brakes, later lug spacing, and a nice B20E 130hp D-jet engine. It was a pleasure to drive it home. My Amazon would be an excellent recipient of these great features. She'll be getting a new heart (and lungs, kidneys, etc).

I'll be in need of some help (information) to do the complete transplant. I know there are a few articles at VClassics, as well as some shorter articles in the late 1990s issues of "Rolling." I've read them, but most seem geared towards the Amazon Sedan. I have a P220 Wagon, so I expect a few "issues."

Here's my plan (not that I'll have the time to undertake the work anytime soon)

Install on the amazon (P220)
(1) B20E and D-Jet (find some way to pressurize the gas tank).
(2) M41 w/ OD.
(3) All Braking components.
(a) Front Disks and Calipers.
(b) Master Cylinder and Brakelines.
(c) Rear Axle, Differential, and Rear Disk Brakes.
(4) Maybe the speedo, tach, etc.
(5) A/C Unit (maybe, it gets hot here in St. Louis).

I've got a couple of concerns.
John tells me that the driveshaft is short/longer on the 1800E vs the Amazon. A good shop should be able to take care of that for me. But is it worth it to have the existing shaft altered, as opposed to finding a short-shaft from an Amazon?. I'm told the 1800E has teh best driveshaft of the period.
Anyone have good luck doing this?

Rear axle and calipers are for a P1800 "Tudor" I know the parts will work with an Amazon sedan, but will it on a wagon? I really want to up the brakes and hopefully the 1800E has the limited slip differential. Has anyone done this with a wagon before??

Any advice, warnings or guidance would be appredicated.
Thanks!



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1967 P220 Amazon, 1972 145S, 1976 245 DL, 1983 245 DL, 1986 745 GLE, 1990 745 GL, 1995 945....
You mean to tell me that Volvo makes cars that are *NOT* Wagons?!?