Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2025 - Competition Cars on Saturday the 22nd of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. In 1956, Volvo launched their 120-Series (Amazon) to much acclaim, and it was to become one of their most successful, remaining in production until 1970. Starting with the 121 and 122 models, the Amazon soon established itself as a comfortable, reliable and superbly well-built car which also introduced new levels of safety equipment, still very much a novelty in the mid-Fifties! Understated but beautifully proportioned, the Amazon was designed by Jan Wilsgaard who openly admitted his inspiration came from American cars of the period such as the Chrysler New Yorker and the Chrysler 300C Hardtop Coupé, both of which it closely resembles although in a restrained, Scandinavian sort of way. Immensely rugged and well-engineered, many Amazons are still in daily use and have over recent years become popular on the historic rally scene, hardly surprising when you think that stage rallying is part of Volvo’s DNA.
Pick of the bunch was undoubtedly the 123GT which was only made between August 1966 and August 1968. Designed to be the sportiest model, the two-door 123GT was powered by the high-compression B18D four-cylinder unit from the P1800 with high-profile cams and revised breathing, resulting in 115bhp compared to the 85bhp of the standard model which, when allied to an all-synchro, four-speed overdrive gearbox, enabled a top speed of 115mph. Other 123GT features included uprated shock absorbers, special wheel trims, front fog lamps, a dash-top mounted rev counter, reclining seats and an elegant three-spoke steering wheel. Exact production figures are uncertain but the best estimate seems to be around 1, 500 examples with less than 70 believed to still be on the road in the UK.
Full details about this Kevin Savage-built Historic Rally car to follow.
