Volvo Amazon

Volvo 121 (1964)

The Volvo Amazon was a midsize car by the Swedish automaker Volvo. Outside Scandinavia, the model was mostly marketed as series 120/130. From Volvo Canada the model in Dartmouth ( Nova Scotia ), a suburb of Halifax, was mounted under the name Canadian GT.

Between October 1956 and July 1970 667 323 cars were produced. The model was designated outside Sweden than 120 series, as the name Amazon was protected for a German bicycle manufacturer.

With the Volvo model laid the foundation for his later success as an automobile manufacturer, and established his reputation as a manufacturer of highly secure automobiles. From the late 1950s crash tests were carried out and as a result received the two models PV 544 and P 121 Amazon from 1959 as the first cars worldwide standard three-point seat belts in the front seats.

Importance

The Amazon was the first four-door Volvo with a unibody construction and after 1944 featured PV 444, the second large-scale car from Gothenburg. With an export share of more than 60 % of the car for Volvo opened up not only the most important European markets, but has also been successful in the United States. Especially for the U.S. market and for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the model 123 GT was introduced in 1966, which was the top engine with 103 hp (DIN). Before that there was the 122 SR in small numbers even a version with 128 hp.

Development

The work presented in the autumn of 1956 sedan with water-cooled front engine and rear-wheel drive four-door version was produced until July 1967. The production of the two-door version was introduced in October 1961 was set as the last model in July 1970 in the Swedish Torslanda. The five-door station wagon (P 221) was from February 1962 to May 1969 in production.

The design of the car was created in the new design department at Volvo of Sweden's January Wilsgaard, of the Italian Alfa Romeo 1900 was based. The body gave up the remote fender was still normal. The highly curved rear window allowed together with the delicate roof pillars a good all-round visibility. The built in 1962 as a special combination had a split tailgate, the lower half was folded back what the loading easier.

In March 1958, in addition to the Amazon S ( P 122 S) was presented with a two- carburetor engine and 83 hp. In August 1961, the engine capacity of 1.6 liters (engine B 16 ) was enlarged to 1.8 liters and the previously three -bearing crankshaft now had five stock. At the same time the car got a 12 volt system; the Amazon in addition S front disc brakes, which were used in the weaker type later. As of August 1963, the car was available with an automatic transmission from Borg - Warner. Dual-circuit brake and split steering column from 8 /67.

To avoid the import duties imposed by the EEC of the car with CKD kits from Sweden was opened in 1965 Volvo plant in Ghent (Belgium ) mounted. From 1968 the engine had 2 liters ( Motor B 20).

Volvo Amazon two-door (1964-1967)

Volvo Amazon Kombi (1967-1969)

Volvo 123 GT ( 1967-1970 )

Volvo Amazon (1969 ) police car in Sweden

Facelift

Despite the long construction period, the model years of the Volvo Amazon differ in appearance only slightly. The most striking differences point to the vehicles at the two-part radiator grille and on the handle of the boot lid.

The first vehicles were the two openings of the grille a wide chrome frame with a chrome also wide center bar. Behind it was a grill evenly shaped small rectangles. The trunk lid had a two-part handle. From 1958, the Volvo Amazon had standard seat belts as the first mass-produced car. At the same time the trunk lid handle has been changed. He was now in one piece with an integrated Volvo emblem.

Starting in 1962, the wide chrome trim on the radiator grille openings was significantly narrower, only remained a wider crossbar. The grille itself now had 9 vertical and 12 horizontal bracing.

1964 ( model year 1965) was modified the trunk lid handle again. He was now much narrower, and had only a Volvo logo in the center. The grille had only three vertical and ten horizontal struts per opening. The wheels were no longer painted in body color but has a flat matt silver with cooling holes for the now standard front disc brakes, on the hubcaps was the great red background "V " is replaced by a small, black deposited.

In 1967, the grille then beside each of the three vertical struts per opening another at a short distance parallel added.

From 1969, the equipment of the Amazon in favor of the new models Volvo 140 and Volvo 164 simple and less attractive was. So the trim accounted for in the gutter as well as on the hood. The rear vent windows had simple handles and the front bumper horns were saved. The interior proved scanty: Here lacked the door pockets, the hand brake lost their security loop and there were no more reclining seat brackets available.

Types

Model Numbers:

Bodies:

• P120: four-door notchback sedan, built from October 1956 to July 1967; No. of items: 234 200
• P130: two-door notchback sedan, built from October 1961 to July 1970; No. of items: 359 900
• P220: a five-door station wagon, built from February 1962 to May 1969; No. of items: 73,200

Engines:

• B16A with 1580 cc and 60 hp; October 1956 to July 1961; model 121
• B16B 1580 cc and 76 hp; October 1956 to July 1961; Model 122 S
• B18A with 1780 cc and 68 hp; from 8/ 66 75 PS; August 1961-July 1968: Models 121, 131, 221
• B18D 1780 cc and 80 hp; from 8/ 65 86 PS; from 8/ 66 90 PS; August 1961-July 1968: Model 122 S
• B18B with 1780 cc and 96 hp; August 1967-July 1968: model 123 GT
• B20A with 1990 cc and 82 hp; August 1968-July 1970: Models 121, 131, 221
• B20B with 1990 cc and 103 hp; August 1968-July 1970: Models 122 S, 123 GT

Gear:

• H6: three-speed manual (until January 1958)
• M4: four-speed manual (until July 1961)
• M30: three-speed manual
• M31: three-speed manual with overdrive
• M40 four-speed manual
• M41: Four-speed manual with overdrive
• BW35: Three -speed automatic (from August 1963 as special equipment)

Swell

• Oldtimer Markt Special Issue 21 (1998), VF Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Mainz
• Oldtimer Markt 11/2006, VF Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Mainz p.147 ff