This '66 122s is Marla. Like the Fight Club Marla.
Cute, gorgeous even; but deeply troubled.

And it has affected me as well. In one & a half years: three, going on four pre-240 Volvos. They're all blue. They can't be sold. Can't often be driven. But I love them.

After my '73 Lincoln Mark IV ate it's third radiator, 2nd exhaust and brake MC... I junked it. No worries, someone with more patience saved it.

So I approached the next car with a list of criteria.
1. I wanted something that looked 40's or 50's. Didn't have to be really.
2. Parts had to be available aftermarket. Modular.
3. had to be easy(er) to R&R.
4. economical (just more than the Lincoln. Not a hard one).
5. MADE OF THICK DAMN STEEL
6. Available for fairly cheap, locally.

I ended up with Volvo 544 or 122 as the answer. Lucky me, I always wanted one of either.

In 4 months I had found a 122. Dead for a year, or 5 probably. It was "some assembly required, batteries not included." Paid WAY too much for it. Towed it nearby to a weirdo eastern european guy to install a clutch slave & master who made refrences to panzers and made gestures I didn't understand but appeared menacing.

The next night drove it the 30 miles to my house in 5hrs raining the whole time; without a radiator cap but still overheating every 5 minutes, no brakes, wounded exhaust and disturbing steering characteristics.

But man did I love it.

I installed an array of automenter gauges to keep an eye on all the failing systems. I put all the parts back on. IPD sent me a christmas card for all my loyalty.

I tuned that thing you could put a quarter on the valve cover at idle. But- my "daily driver" used a half quart in 30 miles!

Marla does not love me back:
Carbs with mm's of throttle play, broken jet/choke ass'y
broken dizzy
Blowby to kill
blown rear main seal
bad synchros in the M40
little to no suspension rubber
2 doors don't open from the outside.
Bad fuel pump
bad water pump
Exhaust obliterated

had hopes of transplanting the goods from the '70, but that car was a winner.

finally, swallowed the exhaust Valves on 3 & 4. towed it & parked in girlfriend's garage. We were both about to move.

Time came to sell her.

I had the '70 undergoing a rear-end swap by then, and a Citroen wagon with an ailing starter.

So, popped on a B head from an 1800, a fuel pump to get it to drive somewhat and sold her for so very, very little.

But then...