Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Uncle Joe · Guest

I was never aware of the fact until I read about it yesterday in a local magazine, but a lot of the Volvo Amazons development into a car was down to a police man by the name of Lars-Erik Freeman.

Seat Belts, Disc Brakes, even the Dip Switch. Plus another that used to be known as the Freeman Switch...I wonder if any of the Amazon owners know what that is?

Brian M · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:41 am Post subject:

U-J

You will have to try harder to out-fox real Amazon enthusiasts. We all know what the Freeman switch is. Very Happy

A google search was required to find the full technical definition:

Title:Low-resistance high-speed electronic switch.
Document Type and Number:European Patent EP0629046
Kind Code:A1
Link to this page:http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP0629046A1.html Abstract:An electronic switch comprises a switch device (2) and an on-resistance (Ron) compensation feed-back controller (1). The Ron compensation feed-back controller (1) is able to bypass the current flow of the switch (2) to the Ron compensation feed-back controller (1) when the switch device is on. A further feature is the provision of an off resistance (Roff) enhancement circuit (3) to provide a higher off resistance.

As I don't understand what this lot means, and as I don't have any electronics on my Amazon, I don't think this is what you are referring to!!

V

V

V

So I will have to have a guess.........

The overdrive control on the gear selector on the gearbox??
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

Uncle Joe · Guest

Good try Brian, but no. Translating directly from the article:

''Most cars had screenwashers by the middle of the 1950's. After a certain resistance from Volvo, they accepted Freemans suggestion to have the wipers and washers in one control - a button on the left steering wheel spoke. This was called the ''Freeman Switch'' in Volvos marketing of Police cars. But Freeman went a step further. A push on the button squirted water, then the wipers started, which also continued to operate for a number of times after the button was released.''

Dont blame me if this article is incorrect... Laughing

Den · Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 99 Location: Ontario, Canada.

I like Volvos...SHHH!!! Very Happy

_________________
Den.
Reporter-"How's it feel to be Henry Ford the Second?"
Henry Ford ll-"I don't know. I've never been anyone else."

Uncle Joe · Guest

I've nothing against PV's, Amazons, and if I'm in a good mood early 140's. Its the rest that are... Laughing

Did see the other day that someone here is doing Amazon bodyshells now. That could be interesting, methinks!

Brian M · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject:

UJ

Any links to the Amazon shell manfacturer?

It could mean that all Amazons could outlast us - and even our children as well.

There's a lovely thought! (for some of us!!)
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

Uncle Joe · Guest

I thought that would catch your attention, Brian!

It was just a piece in a local magazine, so as yet I dont have a link. But I will try to find out some more info as soon as I can. The asking price is 50000 SEK (reckon 14SEK/GBP). As far as I could understand, it was a bare shell, no doors, bonnet boot or front wings and so on, in primer. i assume that they will also be lhd. Will that make a difference?

Brian M · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:55 pm Post subject:

UJ

On a bare shell I thinkyou could change over the battery tray etc to convert to RHD.

But if the price is correct, I suspect the shell is a recon on an existing shell unless the maker has found an incredible supply of nos body panels!

If you can find out any more I would be interested to hear about it.
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

Uncle Joe · Guest

Brian, I was tipped off that there is an ad about these in one of our car magazines. This proved to be quite correct. I'll translate tha ad. then pass a comment.

Volvo Amazon -70 totallt restored body all rusty metal has been replaced with Volvo original panels. New rear wings, front wings, forward chassis member, sills, floor pan, wheel arches boot floor. Everything is blasted and sprayed with 2K

There is a phone number and email address, but these lead to a call centre, which to me seems a little dodgy....

Let me know what you think.

Brian M · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

UJ

Interesting - all Amazon Owners in the UK would love to know where he is getting Volvo orignal panels from. There are good copies available but very few originals.

But if he was starting with a reasonable shell in the first place he could get all the panels mentioned for about £1000. Welding say £1000 and blasting and spraying £1000-£1500, how does he make a profit?

Don't bother chasing the supplier but if you hear any more, please let us know.
_________________
Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

Uncle Joe · Guest

Dont worry Brian, I'll keep you updated on this, as soon as I can get some more info. Someone on the US car scene here will know more. Amazons and PV's are acceptable winter cars to the townies here in the south, so they usually know the availability of parts.

Incidentally, did you know that there is even a swedish song specifically about an Amazon?

Brian M · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

Uncle Joe · Guest

Especially for you Brian:

The first link is the song I was thinking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moVAfGQn7M4

Then there is this one, but Volvos are only slightly mentioned:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxao8AoxrKg&feature=related

Finally this one. Volvos arent mentioned much at all, but it is funny....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3JoZcHRRIM&feature=related

Pity you lot dont understand swedish!

Brian M · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:07 pm Post subject:

UJ

All three were absolutely great - the first is going on a CD to play non-stop in my Amazon at shows. I have found that "en gammal amazon" means "One old Amazon" - perfect!

I reckon the driver is the archetypal Volvo driver, beard, pipe and slippers man.

Now I really need a translation, but I know a Colleague has a Swedish wife so I'll talk to him, and then I need to get some of the musicians at the College where I work to record an English version. - What have you started?

Obviously the 300C pics in the second one didn't influence your decision to share it with us!

Many thanks for this one.
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

Uncle Joe · Guest

Brian, I've got all of the text to the first one in swedish. Do you want me to post or pm it?

There is actually a 4th song, but I cant for the life of me remember who recorded it, or the title....