1969 Volvo Amazon 122S
£12,950
Volvo Amazon 122S
1969 | 132-spec | B20 Twin-Carb 2.0 Petrol | 4-Speed Manual with Overdrive | Dark Blue with Houndstooth Interior
Equipment:
122S in Dark Blue, originally supplied to Japan. 1,986cc OHV 4-cyl engine. 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive. K-profile camshaft and aluminium timing gears. ‘123’ electronic ignition. Twin circuit front disc brakes and rear drums. Vacuum brake servo. GAZ adjustable dampers. Alternator. 5.5J steel wheels with Uniroyal RainExpert tyres. Volvo front and rear mudflaps. Cibie Oscar driving lamps. Lucas reversing lamp. Front Cobra ‘Stuttgart’ front seats, plus custom blue and Houndstooth trim throughout. Front seat belts. Superlite wood-rim steering wheel. Two-tone air horns. Two-speed wipers and electric washers, plus intermittent variable delay kit. Two-speed heater. Auxiliary oil pressure gauge and tachometer. USB power outlet. Autosound FM/DAB/BT stereo system, handsfree microphone. Boot storage basket. Spare wheel with original jack. Simonz sports exhaust system.
Description:
In 1956, Volvo launched one of its most successful model ranges, the 120-Series which was to remain in production until 1970. Only in Sweden was it officially known as the ‘Amazon’, due to the name already being in use with a German motorbike manufacturer, however it still kept this moniker across the globe. Starting with the 121 and 122 models, the range soon established itself as a comfortable, reliable and superbly well-built car which also introduced new levels of safety and ergonomics, and later the 2-door 130 series (still badged as 121, 121 and 123GT) came along for those wanting a more sporting look. Whilst not being a classic in the forefront of many British enthusiast’s minds due to it being relatively expensive in period, it still achieves huge success on the rally stages and is a great all-year-round useable classic car that is immensely useable in day-to-day traffic.
This particular 1969 example is the higher-spec 132 model (badged 122S, ‘S’ for Sport), which means it’s a two-door with twin carburettors, for greater performance. For the 1969 model year, the ~120bhp B20B engine was introduced along with twin-circuit, servo-assisted brakes, making for a very quick and safe saloon car for the late ‘60s! The car was originally supplied to Japan, where they are known to look after their cars exceptionally well and use little-to-no road salt hence the car has remained in exceptional condition. Imported to the UK via Malta in 2018, the first UK-keeper intended to use it for historic rallying so sent it to Classic Rally Services in Crowbrough where it received much remedial work plus the upgrade of an overdrive unit (not available from factory in 1969 unless you ordered the 123GT) along with a new clutch and propshaft. The intention didn’t come to anything after realising it was too good for rallying, so was sold on again to another owner in the south until it was sold to myself (MD of Overland & Highway) and have used it for many adventures all over the UK including a trip to the Channel Islands. Reluctantly, for many reasons, it now has to go to its next owner who will continue to use and cherish what is probably one of the best Amazons in the UK.
From the driver’s perspective, the engine fires up easily from cold and pulls fantastically well… Having fitted the K-profile camshaft (the same as the 123GT), the car will outperform most cars of the period and can even surprise many modern-day motors! The twin SU carburettors were professionally rebuilt, and an upgraded aluminium timing gear set was also fitted to increase longevity and reliability over the original fibre set (at the very small expense of noise). The M41 gearbox and overdrive work like-new, and the car will cruise along at 70+ mph very easily keeping up well with modern traffic. The servo-assisted brakes pull the car to a stop strongly, and the steering is nice and direct.
Externally, the car is described as excellent in its ‘Dark Blue’ paint - It has had a very good respray in Japan at somepoint in its life, and has a nice deep luster when waxed. There is the odd small scratch/chip here and there, the worst being a vertical scratch towards the bottom of the passenger door and a very small dent in the rear quarter upon close inspection. The only corrosion present is on the ribbed bottom panel on the RH rear quarter where the paint is mildly bubbling a little but has not got any worse over my ownership. The brightwork is good, although the chrome on the front and rear bumpers is original so is a little dull. The wide wheels and Uniroyal tyres are only a couple of years old with barely any wear at all.
Underneath, the car is extremely solid with no rust to worry about. The only known welding carried out is a new rear footwell section – I am told a very small hole had appeared so it was decided to weld a new panel in rather than patch it. Many new parts have been fitted, including four new road springs, GAZ dampers, bushes, ball joints etc. A full ‘Simonz’ stainless steel exhaust sytem has been installed for increased performance and longevity. Opening the bonnet, the engine bay is also immaculate and looks as good as the outside with nice paint and tidy wiring and pipework.
The interior has recently been retrimmed in a blue vinyl/houndstooth combination (a similar blue to the original trim) inspired by Singer Design, along with much more supportive adjustable ‘Stuttgart’ front seats made by Cobra. The big plastic four-spoke steering wheel has been replaced with a wood-rim Superlite item, and a quality modern retro-look DAB/Bluetooth radio head unit is fitted in the original position with a dual-tone speaker in the front and rear pod mount speakers. The original static front seat belts are present, and all the gauges, lights and electrics are operational including the heater is still works like a furnace! In the boot, there is a spare wheel and original jack, plus the storage basket accessory which keeps tools and gear tidy.
The car will come with a voluntary MoT upon sale and receive an oil change with correct Volvo oil filter. The odometer reads 102,475 kilometres however we cannot verify this. The car also comes with a history file including receipts etc, plus the original front seats, steering wheel and wheels (with very good Vredestein Sprint Classic Tyres). The desirable model-related cherished numberplate is also included. Please do get in touch if you wish to know more or to arrange a viewing!
Price: £12,950