Highlights

One of only 300 RHD UK-market 123GTs
4spd overdrive car with later B20 2L engine
Comprehensively restored by enthusiast seller over seven years
Built to be as highly original as possible
Completed in 2021 and used very sparingly since
Competed at Grand Prix de Bressuire in 2025 and won Touring Cars category in 2026
Large history file with invoices and photographs documenting the restoration
Will be supplied with a fresh MOT despite being exempt

The Appeal

Volvo introduced the 123GT in 1967 to parlay its formidable rally success into showroom sales. Initially equipped with the B18 1.8L engine and then the 2L B20 unit, these tough two door cars were surprisingly quick. Discreet badging and neat detailing set them apart from the more humble ‘Amazon’ models.

Of the 1,800 or so built over two short years, just 300 were RHD cars like this rather magnificent 1968 car. The chassis number confirms it as a genuine 123GT, initially fitted with the B18 motor, but now equipped with the larger B20 unit. The vendor is a serial Amazon enthusiast and acquired it in 2014. The V5 shows just five previous keepers, two of whom owned the car twice - such is the appeal of these rare special edition models.

Since buying it the vendor has set about a seven year restoration that prioritised usability and originality over mere sheen. The bodywork, mechanical components, underside and interior were all addressed in turn, with the detail of that work set out in full below.

This is not a car that has been restored to sit idle. It has completed a 1,200-mile tour of France in high summer without missing a beat and has competed in street races at the Grand Prix de Bressuire, taking the Touring Cars category win in 2026. The vendor describes it as the nicest Amazon they have owned, noting that it feels very authentic to drive — a proper sixties sports saloon that is fun behind the wheel and easy to maintain. For added buyer reassurance it will be sold with a new voluntary MOT.

The vendor says:

“It drives like a proper sixties sports saloon and is easy to maintain. In June we drove 1200 miles around France in 40-degree heat with no issues. In 2025 and 2026, as part of our touring holiday, the car competed in the street races successfully at the Grand Prix de Bressuire and this year won the Touring cars category. There is footage of it competing on YouTube. It’s fun to drive and gets lots of admirers . I built it to last but also to use it without worrying and tried to keep as much of it as original as possible so there is small amounts of wear to seats etc . There is a good history file with lots of invoices and photos of work /respray etc. It will come with a fresh MOT. It is the nicest Amazon I have owned and feels very authentic when driving it.”

Key Information

Mileage: 15,332 miles indicated (the odometer has gone around the clock; actual total mileage is unverified)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT exempt; will be supplied with a fresh MOT
Technical specs: B20 1,998cc inline four-cylinder petrol, four-speed manual with overdrive on 4th gear
Paperwork: Good history file including invoices and photographs of restoration work and respray

The vendor says:

“Purchased by myself in August 2014. I have had several amazons but always wanted a GT. 5 previous keepers two of whom owned the car twice. Restored by myself over 7 years with full respray new Webasto roof and new headlining, full suspension and brake rebuild all new cylinders,calpiers brake and fuel lines. All bushes replaced and all rubber seals etc. As much of the original car was retained as possible -seats and door trim’s, dash top and boot liner are original and showing minor age related marks. The car has always been stored inside and only used in nice weather.”

The Detail

Extensively restored including bare metal respray in white as shown in photos
Original starter motor and alternator with external regulator retained
Volvo overdrive operating on 4th gear as per the original GT specification
Electronic ignition fitted by a previous keeper and reported to be trouble-free
Vendor states the engine runs nicely, starts easily and does not use any oil or water
Tachometer rebuilt to work with either points or electronic ignition
Original GT-type burgundy seats with correct chrome fittings
Wheels show minor age-related wear noted
One loose trim on the passenger door with very minor paint damage noted
All sills, wheel arches and front inner wings reported to be very sound and rust-free
Original door trims, dash top and boot liner with minor age-related marks
Correct GT steering wheel, rev counter and under-dash switches
Original GT boot and bonnet lights and original heated rear window
Correct passenger shelf and interior under-dash light fitted
Retro-style AM radio with USB and phone connectivity; rear speakers fitted
Chromework and bumpers reported to be in very nice condition and original to car
Steel wheels with all matching tyres
Hella auxiliary lights and Volvo wing mirrors fitted noted by the vendor as not strictly GT specification but the closest readily available items
Original seat belts fitted — legal but aged
Two Volvo accessory baskets fitted for additional storage

List of restoration work:

Full respray carried out in 2018 following body repairs
Front wings, doors, bonnet and bootlid were all removed for painting
Paintwork reported to remain in very good order
Underside cleaned, repainted and waxed; reported to remain in very good order
New Webasto sunroof fitted with new fittings and cloth
New headlining and new carpet fitted
Front beam removed, shotblasted and resprayed in the correct Volvo grey
Full suspension rebuild with all bushes and rubber seals replaced
Full brake rebuild including all new calipers, cylinders, brake lines and fuel lines
Correct GT servo fully rebuilt by Powertrackbrakes
New radiator, fuel pump and all new pipes fitted
All UJs and track rods replaced
Complete new clutch and new master cylinders fitted
Original twin SU HS6 carburettors rebuilt, with original Volvo manifold and air filters
Upgraded Simons exhaust fitted

The vendor says:

“The car was painted following body repairs in 2018 and the paintwork is still in very good order. There is one loose trim on the passenger door with slightly damaged paint, as a result, very minor. All sills and wheel arches are very sound and rust free as are the front inner wings. The underside was thoroughly cleaned and repainted then waxed and it is still in very good order. The front wings ,doors bonnet and Bootlid were all removed from the car when painted and the engine bay was painted at the same time. The front beam was removed and shotblasted then resprayed in the correct Volvo grey. Chromework and bumpers are all very nice and original to the car.

“Mostly original interior but with new carpet and headlining. The seats are the original GT type with the correct chrome fittings. Correct GT steering wheel, rev counter, and under-dash switches. The car came with a Webasto roof, and all of this was replaced with new fittings and cloth as it was tired . The car still has the original seat belts which are legal but old. It has the correct passenger shelf and interior under dash light. It is fitted with two optional Volvo accessory baskets which are useful for storage.

“Engine runs nicely and starts easily. Does not use any oil or water. Original Twin HS6 carbs with original Volvo manifold and air filters with an upgraded Simon’s exhaust. Original starter, alternator with external regulator as original. All relays mounted correctly on GT plinth. Correct GT servo fully rebuilt by Powertrackbrakes. All new calipers, cylinders brake and fuel lines. New radiator, fuel pump, all new pipes, etc fitted when the car was restored. All UJs track rods replaced and carbs rebuilt. A complete new clutch was fitted along with new master cylinders. Volvo overdrive fitted which works on 4th gear as original The car came to me with electronic ignition fitted ,this has never been a problem and I kept it whilst having the tachometer rebuilt so it could be used with either points or electronic ignition. Very positive brakes and nice road holding.”

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