Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Brian M · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:29 am Post subject: My Amazon at 40

I know it is not as old as a lot of the cars on here, but I wanted to celebrate my Volvo's 40th birthday on Sunday.

I took my two Grandsons, who both love a ride in Grandad's old car, out for a 30 mile drive around the country lanes, and ended up at a local Volvo dealer who was happy for me to park up next to new Volvos on his forecourt.

The other car in the photo at new C70 2litre, the nearest spec to my Amazon is priced at £29,995, does anyone know what an Amazon cost in 1970?
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22779 Location: UK

Nice photo Brian! I'd have thought the age of the Volvo was pretty much average for the cars on here.

I've not got any 1970 magazines to hand right now, but I've a price list for 1961 on the corner of my desk.

[goes for a rummage in a pile of papers]

October 1961:
122S B18 saloon (disc brakes)
£940 + £432.1.5 Purchase tax = £1372.1s.5d

RJ Smile

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lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

According to Wikipedia, the b122 Amazon became in its final incarnation, the model 131. Such a car, according to Autocar, cost £1,229 in January 1970. The 133 cost £1295.

Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

Happy birthday Volvo!
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Richard Hughes

Brian M · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks Lowdrag

An RPI index gives £13550 as the 2010 equivalent to £1295 in 1970 - so how come the equivalent car is now £30,000?
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

you have to be careful as to whether you use RPI or average earnings to get the result. I use this useful calculator to help me here:-

http://www.measuringworth.com/ppoweruk/

Average earnings gives a figure of £27,000. But that isn't the only consideration either; does your car have disc brakes with ABS, aircon, unlimited mileage warranty instead of 12,000 miles, electric windows, power steering, alloy wheels, good stereo - I could go on. Like me, I guess you rather love the simple life with no baubles, but there are times, like having just returned from a 1,000 mile holiday in my old car, when it is bliss to have a seat that doesn't make you squirm after 200 miles, which has aircon and power steering etc. Surely we have to factor those advances into any fanciful price we come up with to compare the two car prices?