Volvo Amazon (1956 - 1970) - Overview

VOLVO P120/P130/P220 AMAZON (1956-1970)

In 1956, a prototype of a new passenger car from Volvo was presented. The car became known as the Amazon in the Nordic countries and the 121 and 122S on the rest of the world. The designation 122S was used for a version with a more powerful engine.

Production began in 1957 and this car was initially regarded as a larger model than the PV444. The fact that the 121/122 S was a 4-door model naturally contributed to this.

The styling was modern and this model was the first car from Volvo with a pontoon body.

In September 1961 a 2-door saloon version (P130) was introduced. This version was an eagerly awaited model, particularly on the Swedish market, as Sweden was a typical market for 2-door cars at that time.

The Amazon family became complete at the Stockholm Motor Show in 1962, where the estate version P220) was introduced.

The P220 had four doors and a horizontally split tail gate, one part folded down and the other folded up. This design was inspired by station wagons from the USA.

To enhance the sporty image of the Amazon, the fast and specially equipped 123GT  was introduced in 1967 for the 2-door version, with the same engine as the 1800S sports car, and built in a limited series of 5,000 units. Today, the 123GT is the most sought after version of Amazon collectors.

The 4-door model of the P120 was produced until the autumn of 1966, when it was replaced by an entirely new car: the Volvo 144.

Production of the 2-door Amazon continued until July 2nd 1970, the Estate being dropped the previous year.

In total 667,332 cars of this iconic Volvo model were made.

MODEL SPECIFICATIONS 

Produced: 667,332 (P120 234,209, P130 359,917, P220 Estate 73,196) 

Body: 2 and 4-door saloon, 5-door estate

Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line, overhead valves, 1.6 litres, 60 or 85 hp.

1961: 1.8 litres, 75 or 90 hp, increased in 1965 to 95 hp and in 1967 to 115 hp.

1968: 2.0 litres, 90 or 118 hp 

Transmission: 3- or 4-speed manual with or without overdrive, with floor-mounted gear lever (some cars delivered with gearshift mounted on the steering column). 3-speed automatic with gear lever on steering column.

Brakes: Hydraulic drums on all wheels. 1961: disc brakes on front wheels for S versions. 1964: disc brakes on front wheels for all versions.

Dimensions: Overall length 445 cm (estate 449), wheelbase 2,600 mm.