Description
The rugged and reliable Volvo Amazon embodied the qualities for which the marque has become famous – qualities that also mean it’s perfectly suited to endurance rallying. The 122S being offered for sale here combines them all – strength, power, light weight and engineering quality – and is ready to tackle events such as the Peking to Paris and Sahara Challenge, having been prepared to the very highest standard.
Launched in 1956, the model was officially known as the Amazon only in the Swedish market. Elsewhere, it was the ‘120 Series’ and the range encompassed everything from two- and four-door saloons to an estate.
Introduced with a 1. 6-litre engine and three-speed gearbox, it gained a 1. 8-litre engine and a four-speed transmission in 1961. In 1968, two years before production ended, the 2-litre B20 engine provided a further boost to performance. Throughout that decade, it proved itself to be an extremely capable rally car – especially in the hands of drivers such as Gunnar Andersson, Tom Trana and Carl-Magnus Skogh.
This particular car is a 122S – the name signifying that it’s the more powerful twin-carburettor version of the four-door saloon. It was imported to the UK from South Africa in 2016 and spent a number of years on display in a Volvo dealership before being acquired by its current owner in October 2019.
Having decided that historic rallying was the perfect way to satisfy his twin passions for motorsport and travel, he bought the Amazon so he and his wife could enter events together. The choice of car was perfect because her family was the sole Volvo concessionaire in Scotland from when the marque was first introduced to the country in the early 1960s.
Through 2021-22, the 122S was converted from a road car into a historic rally car, with the work being carried out by Scottsport to the specification of Rob Henchoz at Amazon Cars, a known expert in the rally preparation of the Volvo marque. The bodyshell was stripped out, all rust removed, and it was then strengthened and seam welded as needed.
A full Safety Devices bolt-in roll cage was fitted, along with TRS full harness seat belts and reclining OMP seats – making the rear storage area easily accessible. Between the seats an additional hydraulic handbrake has been installed. The 2-litre engine drives through a rebuilt gearbox and a Quaife limited-slip diff. Ohlins adjustable dampers were gassed and valved specifically for this car, and a 110-litre aluminium fuel tank was fitted along with twin electric fuel pumps – not only enhancing range but also improving ground clearance. Underbody protection has been installed.
A full set of Brantz rally instruments was installed along with a Garmin all terrain sat nav for the long distance events the car has been made ready for. The car’s vast specification also includes the following list of – twin coils, a high-output alternator, driving lights, a suite of instruments and switches, a navigator footplate with foot-operated air horn, internal and external master cut-off switches, fire extinguishers, drinks holders a document safe and an intercom system.
Once finished, the Volvo took part in the 2022 Sahara Challenge and is now being offered complete with both an extensive spares package and tools that includes safety equipment, tools, spare wheels, hoses, gaskets, and components for the ignition, fuel and suspension systems and very much more, with a total value believed to be in the region of £10, 000 alone – everything needed for even the most demanding rally. The registration number ‘OGZ 122’ is also included in the sale.
The engine has had less than 10 hours of use following a rebuild by Volvo specialist Scholar Engines, and the car would need nothing more than a ‘spanner check’ and a once over before tackling a major endurance event. In its specification and preparation, it wants for nothing and is an ideal ‘plug and play’ historic rally car, requiring the minimum to get you to the start line – personalisation, a spanner check and maybe an oil change…
The car is currently with Rally Preparation Services sister Company, the RPS storage facility and available for inspection.
All viewings and test drives welcomed by appointment at Rally Preparation Services.
All enquiries please contact us on using the button below or telephone +44(0)the details below
