20 Oct COLLECTION IN ACTION – V
An alphabetical series of short driving impressions of some of the museum’s car collection. This month we show a V for Victory while celebrating the 60th anniversary of a classic Swede.
The Volvo 122S – otherwise known as the Amazon – was introduced to the world for the first time 60 years ago. It had its première in the Swedish town of Örebro September 1956, the car differing greatly from the common perception of what a Volvo should look like. The shape had features drawn from Italian, British and American designs put together by 26-year-old Jan Wilsgaard, who went on to become Volvo’s head of design for many years.
The new car was the company’s second post-war model, following on from the PV444, and was named Amason – spelt with an ‘s’ – after the fierce female warriors of Greek mythology, the Amazons. However, German motorcycle manufacturer Kreidler had already registered the name, which meant the name was unavailable in a number of key markets. A deal was reached to allow the Volvo model to be known as Amazon in the Nordic markets. Volvo then began its tri-digit nomenclature and the line became known as the 120 Series. In the rest of the world, the standard model was known as the 121, while the 122 was used for the sportier model. The estate version with a standard engine was called 221, while 222 was used for estates with the sports engine. However, the car is now known as the Amazon around the world.
Between 1957 and 1959, all cars were painted two-tone, but from 1959 it became possible to buy a single-tone Amazon, with 1961 becoming the final year of production of two-tone cars. The 1958 Amazon Sport was developed for customers who wanted more power. Twin SU carburettors and a sportier camshaft helped increase the 1,8-litre B18’s engine power output to 63 kW.
In 1959, Volvo’s patented three-point seatbelt became a standard feature in the Amazon – a world first. February 1962 marked the introduction of the estate version, which featured a horizontally-split tailgate. The sportiest version of the Amazon was the 123 GT, which borrowed its engine from the 1800S sports car. The 123 GT was launched as a 1967 model, offering 86 kW and overdrive.
Product development on the Amazon continued despite the introduction of the Volvo 140 Series in 1966. Both the Amazon and the 140 Series received the new 2.0-litre B20 engine for their respective 1969 iterations. The bigger capacity provided a slight increase in power and higher torque at lower revs.
Between 1957 and 1959, all cars were painted two-tone, but from 1959 it became possible to buy a single-tone Amazon, with 1961 becoming the final year of production of two-tone cars. The 1958 Amazon Sport was developed for customers who wanted more power. Twin SU carburettors and a sportier camshaft helped increase the 1,8-litre B18’s engine power output to 63 kW.
In 1959, Volvo’s patented three-point seatbelt became a standard feature in the Amazon – a world first. February 1962 marked the introduction of the estate version, which featured a horizontally-split tailgate. The sportiest version of the Amazon was the 123 GT, which borrowed its engine from the 1800S sports car. The 123 GT was launched as a 1967 model, offering 86 kW and overdrive.
Product development on the Amazon continued despite the introduction of the Volvo 140 Series in 1966. Both the Amazon and the 140 Series received the new 2.0-litre B20 engine for their respective 1969 iterations. The bigger capacity provided a slight increase in power and higher torque at lower revs.
A total of 667 791 Amazons were built between 1956 and 1970, making it Volvo’s most manufactured model at that point in time. The Amazon was responsible for turning Volvo’s attention from the domestic market to export markets – around 60% were sold outside of Sweden. It was also the first Volvo to be assembled outside of Sweden. In 1963, a plant in Halifax, Canada built cars for the North American market. Later, Motor Assemblies Ltd of Durban began manufacturing the car. However, Volvo’s biggest investment was in the Belgian city of Ghent, which began with an initial capacity of 14 000 cars per year. On 3 July 1970, the last Amazon was built at another Volvo plant in Torslanda. It was dark blue and was driven straight into the collection of cars that later became the Volvo Museum. However, the last Amazon to be assembled in the world was made in South Africa on 18 December 1970.
FMM’s 1970 122S Amazon was built at Motor Assemblies in Durban in 1970 and thus is one of the last – coincidentally it is painted dark blue. It cost R2 825 and 1 555 examples were sold in this final year. The B20B 1 986 cm3 engine fitted to the 122S delivered 88 kW at 5 800 r/min and 166 N.m of torque at 3 500, and was mated with a four-speed all-synchro manual gearbox. (There was also a 122 model with a B20A engine that produced 67 kW.) The B20B carried over into the 140 Series Volvos.
The 122 was very successful in local motorsport under the Lawson Motors banner. Francis Tucker and Raggy Schjolberg won the 1966 SA Rally Championship in a Volvo 122S, and in 1967 Jan Hettema and Robbie Broekmeyer repeated the feat.
In 1966, Hettema and Christo Swanepoel participated in the Monte Carlo Rally with a 122S and the following year Hettema also won the inaugural Roof of Africa Rally also in a 122S. During this time, the 122S scored class and Index of Performance wins in the legendary Kyalami 9-Hour Endurance races. Volvo won the Manufacturers’ Category of the SA Rally Championship in 1968 and 1969.
Sturdy, well-built and bearing the patina of time, the Amazon 122S is one of those immediately inviting cars drive. Suspended on double wishbones up front and trailing arms at the rear, the car provides a comfortable good ride and secure handling. Servo-assisted all-disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power: a CAR magazine road test recorded a 10-stop average time of 2,9 seconds from 80 km/h. Straight-line stability is impressive, too, the big plastic steering wheel reasonably weighted, with four turns lock to lock. Er, what’s this? Oh, the badge is upside down… With 3% more power and a 9% increase in torque at 500 r/min less than the B18, the engine pulls well and emits a slightly throaty burble. Performance-wise, the test car achieved 0-100 km/h in 11,7 seconds and reached a top speed of 162 km/h.
It is easy to understand why the car was so popular. It still turns head after six decades and possesses timeless style and charm. The Amazon remains as one of the most iconic models in Volvo’s history, and deservedly so. MM
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