Volvo Amazon 123 GT - An Astonishing Tale Of Missed Opportunity

The Volvo Amazon 120 series was from an era when Volvo still made cars that were fun to drive as well as being tough and well built. The 123 GT being reviewed was the flagship sporting model which was good enough to rival the then class leading Alfa Romeo saloons.
1962 Volvo P1800 photo via Hemmings.com
Check out the full article at: www.hemmings.c...
Support NR27 And Get:
1. Members Only Monthly Live Chats 2. Priority Replies To Comments 3. Loyalty Badges
/ @number27

[@Tacko14]

I’m almost scared to say it, but here goes. This allures to me more than any supercar. Just a humble family car, tuned to perform well in competition, does more for me than any special no limits dreamcar that never even raced. And I think that a road legal car doesn’t need over, oh, 300hp? to be fun. As Jay Leno said, he doesn’t like cars that go zip-zip-zip and you’re at 200mph. He likes cars that provide the journey towards the goal. I agree wholeheartedly.

[@TheInstructor66]

I totally agree. I have a 1969 Alfa Romeo 1300 gt junior, now sporting a «fast road» 1750 ccm. Small car combined with a angry reving 4-banger, let you have fun within the speedlimits. 80 km/h feels like 100+. I never wanted a «supercar», but for me its a super car to have super fun with. She is a keeper. 🍀

[@4WDIESEL1]

well said

[@Aleiza_49]

Volvos in general have a quirky charm to them that's difficult to describe, I daily a 98' S90 (960) that I like more than any of the sports cars I've ever owned. Though, this Amazon does make me wonder how Volvo would've evolved differently if they hadn't become obsessed with safety. Like the later R models showed the Volvo could still make an outstanding performance vehicle....they just didn't care much to build more of them.

[@Surestick88]

#slowcarfast

[@davidgoliath5901]

Emphatically agree! Character in spades....

[@markirvin2809]

I had a friend who was finishing his medical degree at UNSW. It was British Racing Green, with everything highly polished and tuned to perfection. He allowed me to drive it down the north coast of NSW from Newcastle to Sydney. It handled superbly and I have never forgotten that afternoon drive to this day and I am 75 now. These are very hard to find now and I probably would not be able to drive it as I have Metastasized Prostate Cancer with bone lesions - makes it hard to sit in a car properly. The memory of that day is fabulous.

[@Ozcrazy49]

Sorry to hear of your illness. Keep well.

[@andrewwinters8467]

Indeed, sorry to hear you are sick. I hope you are getting good care and are improving; Saludos!

[@peterduxbury927]

I am your age too, and also lusted after the Amazon! However, in 1979, I bought a '69 Volvo 142 S. The 142 S was the same B18B engine with twin SU Carbs. I truly loved the car, and I kept it for 3 years. I did have one 'annual' problem with the car. The Clutch Cable used to break around every 12 months, and I checked everything, that the Cable was routed and secured on the car correctly. I always used genuine Volvo Cables, but never understood why this Cable used to break! The 142S also had the electric Overdrive Unit - which I had to replace with new. It's good to reminisce, and I'm sorry to hear of your prostate problems that (I hope) you are receiving the very best care. I moved to Sydney (from the UK) in 1988. Today, I drive a 1971 Super Beetle that is 100% electric, and Tesla-powered. Best wishes to you.

[@stuarthart3370]

that's a wonderful memory

[@john1703]

In the 60s, with longtudinal engines and gearboxes, 4th gear was direct, with the input and output shaft locked together, rather than driving via the layshaft. That made it quieter when cruising. Modern transverse engines and gearboxes always take the drive out of the "other" shaft, like a motorbike. So you can have as many ratios as you care to fit.

[@betaorionis2164]

@Turnipstalk There were extremely few 5 speed gearboxes before 1970. Alfa Romeos, IIRC and performance cars, maybe some more, but very few. It's true also that engines tended to be torquey and there were few highways. Overdrives were common in British cars, but not in the rest of Europe.

[@betaorionis2164]

@Turnipstalk Me too.

[@alanclarkeau]

​@@betaorionis2164 FIAT too.

[@georgebettiol8338]

Alfa Romeo introduced the 5 speed transmission in 1962 with Fiat following in the late 1960s (1967 I believe) in their Fiat 2300 coupe. Both of the aforesaid transmissions had a direct fourth gear and an indirect 5 gear. The Laycock de Normanville's overdrive unit was mainly used by UK OEMs as an economically cheaper solution to adding a '5th gear' to an existing 4 speed transmission - i.e. essentially a bolt on solution. It lost favour in the 1970s because it was heavier than a 5 speed gearbox and presented some reliabiliy issues if not properly maintained. My experience with the overdrive unit is its persistant and infuriating oil leaks.

[@davidnorton5887]

On the latest Jimny 5th gear is 1:1, so does that mean this is direct also?

[@frugalterrier8124]

They were so popular here in Canada that an assembly plant was built in Halifax Nova Scotia. Tough as they were, road salt killed many before their time. They did hold up better than most contemporary cars. Brilliant little sports sedan, particularly in this GT spec.

[@sonicstep]

I recall reading on the internet that Volvo 122 series models were being built at a plant in Canada. I was very surprised.

[@frugalterrier8124]

@@sonicstep The Halifax assembly plant lasted into the early 70’s with the 140 series cars, I believe.

[@coldlakealta4043]

the assembly kits that were sent over were used in their entirety, save for the radial tires and upscale lighting assemblies which had to be downgraded to our lousy existing Federal regulations at the time. I've seen a picture of a yard full of tires waiting to be scrapped.

[@stevenr2463]

My uncle in Salzburg had one as well as a P1800 back in the sixties. I was very impressed as a kid visiting from Guernsey (with our 35 mph speed limit) that these Volvos easily did and kept 180 km/h on the autobahn!

[@Lemma01]

Let's be clear - you can't really do much more than that speed for any length of time in the most modern cars - did 1,300km + yesterday from Italy to UK and didn't get over 170km/h anywhere...😢

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

More like 130 or max 140 km/h, and that also for a race tuned car with the works done on the engine and suspension with good wider radial tyres like Michelin or Pirelli of the day. The B18 and B20 engines were the pushrod, longer crank design, which produced good torque but low on power - the gearbox did all the speed conversion. They were robust engines and performed well as a road car, but was certainly not a racer from birth.

[@Lemma01]

@@mohabatkhanmalak1161 More like it, certainly. My 1972 Elan is supposed to be good for 200km/h. I've owned it for almost forty years and never felt like trying anything much over 160...

[@kavinskysmith4094]

about a 110, that sounds about right for an old 90 HP 4 banger

[@jacksat2252]

Brings back memories, my father bought his first new car in 1968 and it was a white Amazon. I was born in in1970 and if we made a long trip and drove back home in the evening I always fell asleep because of the whining sound of the gearbox, especially if he brakes with the engine and downshifts.

[@zogzoogler]

The Volvo Amazon and the Saab 96 occupy the same area in my mind. Volvo is still a brilliant manufacturer whilst Saab has gone to the wall. Its hip to be square!

[@jo05dk]

I grew up with Volvos, 140s and 240s, but later on 7-series and a 960. Watching this made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy. I do love me an Amazon. Such a good looking, and incredibly robust, car. ..and then a 123GT… Yum! This got me way more than most expensive super cars.

[@nicce12]

A friend of my father had a brand spakning new Amazon 123 GT, they took a vacation with the car to UK one summer and felt that they had the coolest and quickest car around. In London they ended up next to a little open sports car at a traffic light, and reved at it a bit, When the light turned green they were left in the dust by a embarising wide margin. Not feeling so cool anymore thay later realised that the little car was a AC Cobra...

[@mkadair]

I have a soft spot for Swedish cars. Thanks Jack!

[@Number27]

Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for joining up as a member!

[@daveperry4391]

I had a 122S that was lovingly named the "Big Red Oil Burner" which was totally incorrect but a great name never the less. Loved the big light on the dash for Warp Drive in 3rd & 4th !!

[@thatcheapguy525]

I remember the 120 & 122S back in the day but had no idea of the 123 existence until today.

[@VinDieselS70]

My dad had one and I remember the Speedo being fully red when we went down to the south of Sweden in the 70s as it easily did 110+ mph or over 180+ km/h. My uncle had one too. Absolute Rockets for what it was.

[@thatcheapguy525]

@@VinDieselS70 not many mass market family saloons could go that fast back in the 70s. Jack really does uncover some great oddballs.

[@jamesdecross1035]

"Cheaper than psychiatry!" - WTF!!! I'm rolling on the floor with laughter…

[@strayedcat1966]

Cheaper than dirt and drive like you hate it!

[@crhvideo]

My dad had one of these when I was a little boy, an actual 123GT. I never had an idea how rare these were. It was a cool car. I haven't seen one in a long time. I still remember the long gear lever and that it had a high beam switch on the floor. Thanks for showing this one!

[@simonhjc]

Every friday i grab a coffe and watch these. A walk down memory lane. My neighbour had exactly this car and as a kid i would listen to it start up and burble. What a memory! Thanks Jack

[@teebird94]

My earliest memories of my Uncle Don is he always had a Volvo for winter and Thunderbird for summer...and he had an Amazon in my earliest memory later the square Volvos

[@GiguereSylvain]

This was my very first car.. I was 18 then. Mine was a 1969 - 122S with B20 (2liter) engine.. what a car! Many of my friends were so impressed that bought that same car. Then, the next cars were 142E.. and then 164E . Comfortable, solid.. but no fun anymore. Next I switched to Saab 99GL, the fun was back, and only drove Saabs ever since. My 9'-5 is 16 years old, looks like new, drives like new, and I pamper it like the most precious I own and drive. I can't see what could replace it, nor could afford it.. and, no, not a Prius. Great but boring.. lol

[@sopastar]

Why wasn't the 142 fun?

[@GiguereSylvain]

@@sopastar Hi there. Though the 122S and 142 shared same engine, transmission, and same type of suspension.. they were very different. The differential/transmission ratio was different = so, the 142 had shorter speeds to work with and kept you changing speed constantly, while the 122 had nice long speeds and could reach 90mph in third gear for passing cars.. the 142 could not.. the 122 could take steep curves like a sporty car (like a P1800) because his short motion/stiffer suspension, while the 142 with soft comfy suspension and heavier weight.. could just not follow a 122. They had different caracter and behavior. Yes, the 142 was a much prettier, comfortable, solid 'family' car, but even the 142'E' edition, wich I owned, and was supposed to 'perform'.. was that, a nice comfy boring americanised car. Just not aimed at the same clients. I keep very vivid memories of 🔥 drives of all of the four 122S I've owned.. great cars. A P1800 disguised into an antique car..

[@sopastar]

@@GiguereSylvain Thank you for sharing your dealings with these cars! It's easy to get fooled by the numbers since the 142 is faster from 0 to 60 "on paper," so real life experience is really valuable. All cars with a B20 use the same differential except in some export markets from what I've been able to find, so maybe the 142 was supposed to be good too and you guys just got snubbed. I'm partial to my own P210, but I will say that after having driven a SAAB 99GL, I do get it

[@GiguereSylvain]

@@sopastar It's fun to share experiences. I'm in Canada, may be there were different versions of the 142? I've owned both, 122S and 142E.. and 164E. 122S had 'long' speeds (like my Norton!) I could reach 90mph in 3rd gear no problem. Not with the 142 and its 'short' speeds.. so, some ratio was different somewhere I guess. We were a bunch of friends with 122S and we all faced the same problem when we switched to the 142.. As well, the softer suspension of the 142 did not invite one to swift sporty driving on winding roads but rather to the highway.. wich is ok. In fact, the 122S was much closer to the P1800. And yes, I bought a Saab 99GL by 'accident' lol and never drove anything else since, except a Honda a couple of years and a Mitsubishi. I love my 9-5 though I really prefered the old 900 classic serie.. ;-)

[@polygamous1]

In the 60s 3 cars stood up above all others for quality build and reliability the Volvo the Peugeot 403 and the Lancia, my cousin had a Lancia 2000 it was a brilliant car very solid looked good and was brilliant to drive like Italian cars are, the P1800 Volvo engine was marinized too, because it's specific fuel consumption was the best at the time with reliability to match all these 3 cars were excellent in their own ways thanks Jack

[@psircos]

That volvo sounds brilliant! What a lovely old school engine tone. Great looker too

[@liverush24]

An old fella by me, has a lovely, blue Amazon. He's also got a golden brown P1800, a blue V8 Rover P6, a P5B & an old Jaguar XJ12.

[@peterericson890]

I m swedish had two Amzon back in the days, loved them .... and still do

[@dhatchbernier]

I love your channel. You’re so knowledgeable on so many cars, like Marisa Tomei in “My Cousin Vinny.” But I love that you’re always smiling and seem to love what you do!

[@MrCarrera28]

Great video, fantastic to see such a seminal car in amazing condition being driven as was originally intended. It is most enjoyable seeing you review cars that are not the same as everyone else and brining your own passion and interest to cars that most of us are never going to be privileged enough to get to drive.

[@cezarymarek4556]

Had a white 123GT in mid 80s. Good fun. Drove it from Notting Hill to Antibes and back. Fast by hairy...

[@famousutopias]

I had a 144 and a 242 but when I had a chance to drive a 122 2 door that was outfitted with a number of performance upgrades (weber side draft dcoe iirc) and I was blown away by how much fun it was to drive. This was late 1980s-1990 and “sport sedan” was the prevailing term for BMW, etc. The 122 was on the cusp of sport sedan and your 123 or the beefed up 122 really was just that. As solid a car as the 140/240 was, Volvo lost that fun factor for 20+ years until the 850 turbo came out

[@kimhenry5658]

I had a 124 for a few years in the early 2010s as my daily driver and I loved it (mostly). Of course it was getting old by then but it had many features that kept it up to date. Mostly the disc brakes up front and the twin carbs and extractors but then I bought a 1970 244 to scavenge parts from. So in went the 2 litre engine and the 5 speed gearbox, the collapsible steering column, the headrests and retractable seatbelts. So good but in the end just an old car with enough problems that I upgraded to something newer. If I had buckets of money and space I’d still own it.

[@erwinhenkes933]

Jack, you're a very nice guy, unlike other reviewers you don't take yourself too serious, which is fun. Txs a lot.

[@paulboyle6857]

Very popular in classic rallying & for good reason, Swedish & strong! A late friend used to rally a 122GT &, of course the earlier 544 Amazon is still campaigned my many people.

[@goncalomoura8156]

Really surprised! And that engine sounds so sweet from the inside of the car! Never thought the Amazons were this good. Now I know why so often we see these in Classic rallying…

[@jimcrichton8028]

I always understood that the Amazon models that started alongside the p444 models was designed by a subgroup of volvo employees in their own time and then persuaded the mangement to adopt it. My Uncle had a 122S in the early 60s that he loved.

[@gscheidhaferlvomdienst6864]

I restored 5 of them, and drove one with the no 46 Red color over years. Best and reliable car ever. Simple technics, always running.... Now I get a 245 station wagon

[@dufushead]

Great video Jack, your a man after my own heart with the SU's. Just one point though about Volvo's not being exciting to drive after this; now I'm guessing you've never driven a 240 Estate with roof rack, camping gear for two weeks and the rest of the luggage, four kids and a big missus down the M5 at night at over 100mph, now that's real scary esp when you get to the curvy bits.

[@ericdunn555]

Crikey 😯😯 Blasting past Weston-super-Mare in a 245 at over 100mph on the M5 - WOW! I'd have to go back home to Birmingham for a rapid underpants change if I did that 🤣🤣🤣

[@mrspandel5737]

I seem to recall that the later RWD Volvos were still competent handlers though, they kept the same basic Suspension design as the Amazon (which in itself is quite similar to classic Alfas, much like the Amazon bodyshape which is pretty much an exact copy of the 1900 Berlina with a Chrysler front grille) well into the 90s, though by that point it was highly outdated. I think some of that livelyness was lost when Volvos started to grow in size and weight, but 140s and 240s are still very popular choices for rallying even today. And lest not forget that the 240 Turbo won the European Touring car championship back in 1985 I think

[@jimrudolph1582]

Currently working on a Canadian made 21’ cuddy cabin with a pair of aq170(b30) Volvos sporting triple solex downdrafts each. Sure look pretty with the chrome package and sure move that boat along nicely.

[@slicedbread9003]

Keep in mind that Volvo was often called a truck maker that made cars. I test drove a 240 back in the '80's and commented that it drove like a truck. Not fun to drive. But they do have some breakthrough cars. The Amazon being one of them. The 850 being another. It's funny that I have owned a Volvo Estate for some time. It is not the most fun to drive, but as a truck that I don't need a commercial drivers license for, it's pretty good a hauling stuff.

[@arrangrant4614]

One of my old bosses had the estate version back in the 1980s. Lovely car it was built like a tank👍

[@IdiotPosterBoy]

Dad still has a Volvo Amazon, bought new by my grandmother in the late 1960s. Not quite a daily driver anymore, but it does see some use. Learned to drive in it 😎.

[@DavidSkidmore-e5t]

We were farmers back in the day.. father bought121 1965 model in 1966...my uncle bought a 122s In 1966..... never drove it waznt aloud...😂.only when my cousin bought fathers car I finally drove it 👌 today I still think it's a handsome car and built like brick s..........e ..loved the way interior door tops molded into dash and the endless gearlever🤪

[@JohnIreland-n6o]

Great car, great video. Haven't seen you have as much fun in a car in a while. More old cars please.

[@rustyturner431]

Addendum: Volvo had another go in the early 1970s with the 142 GT and the 142E. Neither got much attention beyond the buff books, and the production numbers were low...but they were still interesting. Volvo also made the excellent 164 at that time; it was easily the best buy among the "senior" European cars at the time. For just a bit more money than a 2002 BMW you got a big 6cyl sedan with tons of room and a HUGE boot. I had a chance to drive one from Texas to California, and it was a splendid road car, quiet and capable of running 85mph all day with no issues and 24mpg with the overdrive. I tried to get my then-wife to consider one...but she was a Jaguar girl and wanted no part of anything so utilitarian. She described it as "agricultural", but she was a ballet dancer and had never been on a farm in her life, so her opinion was not well-founded.

[@eric-wb7gj]

Thanks Jack 🙏🙏, always good to have a 'Prancing Moose' on the channel! If you can get one of their later, boxier ones, that would make a great comparison!

[@ysteinhansen2119]

My first car was a '67 Volvo Amazon Herregardsvogn (Estate) with a modest B17 back in 1989. Pretty unconventional for a 18 year old, but I loved the car!

[@DavidJones-cf6ph]

Jack thanks you for this very interesting and informative video, as others have said these are often overlooked and mis-understood. I own and race a Volvo Amazon in the UK HRDC Touring Greats series, it gets lots of attention and is really good fun to drive although it cannot hold a candle to the more powerful and highly developed Lotus Cortina's it gives the Cortina GT's and Alfa Guilia Supers a good run for their money. The engines are very simple and bomb proof and availability of parts is excellent both here and across Europe. I also have a 123GT look alike which is actually a 122S that I bought as a "spare" body shell for the race car but turned out to be far nicer than I expected and thus we have spent some time and effort getting it readied to tackle some regularity rallies here and in France. There are a lot of Amazons and P1800s in historic rallying as they are a tough, reliable machines and easy to prepare with simple upgrades. Nice to see some good positive reactions to your video, keep up the good work.

[@Number27]

Thanks David and enjoy your car? Great to hear you’re racing it!!

[@hpterrick]

There's a chap who loves his work! Another great video

[@aluminati9918]

Great video on a great car, Jack! Still miss my 74’ Volvo 140. Prior to that the family had the Amazon. Both excellent cars. On more modern rubber they drive remarkably well for their age.

[@kleuternul9310]

My dad used to drive an opel record station with the same speedo, it had colors, green, orange red depending on the speed. From the same era... great memory.

[@deepindercheema]

Vic Singh had one of these type in the swinging 60s. ( It was a 122S) you can see it in the Spencer Davis Band film of I'm a man

[@bobphillips2188]

Like Tacko14 below, I love these older cars that need actual driving to get the best without, as you too, Jack, said, suddenly finding yourself at stupid speeds. I had a 144 2 l with fuel injection (B20 engine, an enlarged 1.8 lump, almost everything else the same as the B18), 17 years old when I got it for almost nothing. The bodywork was as rough as, but the chassis and suspension and engine were almost perfect. 133 claimed horses, it went like a stabbed rat (although the weight of Volvos was creeping up, with side impact bars and other safety stuff, as you alluded to, but the underpinnings were much as the 120). It was the first car I ever had that I would just take out for a drive, I loved it so much (although the best mpg was never above 27, 17 in town). Leather seats, very comfy, and the overdrive made motorways a pleasure too - want to overtake something, flip the overdrive off with your foot to the floor already, and it really shifted! Mine had a pleasing induction roar, which amused me pulling away at the lights as most people assumed Volvos were slovenly, stodgy cars for stodgy, unimaginative drivers. Ha Ha! The engine had 170+K miles when I got it, and the speedo and mileometer failed soon after. I ran it for four years like that, just using the rev counter (the speedo would work up to about 40 mph for a while then drop to nothing - friction/heat somewhere? - hence it went through the MOT just fine!). The injection needed constant fettling, and hoses sprang leaks onto the exhaust manifold for a pass time, but everything could be fixed easily. A 2,000 mile round trip to Spain from Normandy was a dream, mending something under the bonnet every evening after pitching the tent and sorting out our baby son, making food etc. Brilliant. I never got tired of the driving, but the fettling became a bit much, always sad I let that car go. Best car I ever had.

[@danbrown4517]

Small correction Jack, odometer not tachometer measures the miles covered.... great review though of a car I never realized existed (even though I'm half Swedish and came from a Volvo-owning family!)

[@pauloldfield6968]

We used to work on these one of our customers had 123 GT British racing green with tan interior it was mint also a lot of 121s 122s my brother had one and my fathers friend had A Christy's last car which was an estate

[@chhindz]

I had 64 122 in late 70s. Loved the seat belts. changing disc pads like putting toast in toaster. Had car airborne and half submerged in Atlantic Ocean. Would take hard driving without complaint.

[@mikedx2706]

They have the vacuum line for the power brake booster hooked up incorrectly. There is a "t" fitting put into the line that is also sucking fumes out of the crankcase.

[@hurri7720]

I quite liked to drive my 164E, a volf in a sheep's clöthes. Fast and very stable and robust.. But it took atleast half a year for me to get confident with it after driving an Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina for years. 150 hp 3L on a straight six in the Volvo and fuel injection. I think I would still like it and upset people with so called sport cars.

[@davidholleley9828]

That is a beautiful car. I was lucky enough to own a ‘69 142S for twelve years driving 70k’s daily to and from work. Didn’t miss a single beat, only ever replaced consumeables. Quality and style, and often received compliments at the bowser! (ps that electric overdrive was so much fun, and practical 😊)

[@peterduxbury927]

Me too! I bought a navy blue 1969 142 S - back in 1979. On British (winter) Roads, the Heater was great. I enjoyed the large seats, the Ribbon Speedometer, the lever for the Overdrive. The Lumbar adjustment on seats. The cavernous boot! At the time, I paid 600 quid for it. It burnt oil, so I removed the engine, had it rebored. After some work, it was a great car. Sad to think that Volvo will never make cars of that quality ever again. Greetings from Australia.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

By the way, the second last Amazon to be produced in Göteborg, in Sweden, became driven directly to Denmark as a Gift to our Technical Museum in Elsinore/Helsingør, where it is to this day, still with the thin protective plastic on the seats and 600 km on the meter! Denmark was a large market for Volvo in those days. The last produced became kept in Volvos own Museum! Which I sadly never managed to find! By the way it was able to angle the seats by a bolt below in front! Finn. Denmark

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

One Danish Volvo Dealer, Ole Sommer, made several special builts based on Volvo parts, the last named "OSCAR". It was a Ferrari/AC Cobra looking car with a special frame inside and 50 years Warranty against rust! A major problem in Denmark.😁 Also a very special looking Van, using the present tax-laws to make a very boxy looking Sportscar, just for the fun of it!

[@MrMfaust5]

Hello Jack, I think the Swedes went nutty overall around the early 1990s!

[@BanjoLuke1]

This was a remarkable car. The only 120-series I ever drove was a 123gt, in the mid-80s. They were not really thought of as special back then.... It was just "an amazon". It didnt seem particularly fast or sporty, but by then the cities were awash with cheap Golfs, Astras, faster Escorts and Alfasuds. It was just a fun, tall, narrow, older Volvo. It drove like a larger Morris Minor, as I recall. The 123gt was almost a parts-bin run-out model, like the late-run E30 318iS. An excellent machine that was somehow the pinnacle, but in truth an accidental pinnacle.

[@f.kieranfinney457]

The Amazon makes a neat hot rod. I’ve seen both Swedish and American custom builds that look really badass and go like stink. imagine dropping a Volvo 5 cylinder in there! There are even V8 versions out there. Such practical cars too and lovely looking. Sad they didn’t keep more of the fun. Or try the wackiness of Saab.

[@darrellbaldwin6226]

Had a racing green 123GT in the late 70’s. Bought it from my father who had it from new. Regret selling it as a great car. Probably worth a lot of money now. WAR 131E. Wonder if it’s still around.

[@paulmillard1130]

Always loved this model, distinctive and classy.

[@VinDieselS70]

Fun fact. The B18, B20 and the B30 engines were alos used in volvos military veichkes and in various military applications but also as Penta engines.

[@petercarlsson6606]

The volvo PV, the Amazon, P1800, and the following Volvo 142, 144, 242 and 244 was extremely high quality and reliable cars with bullet proof engines, up to the early 90s.

[@RexRobins-z6y]

Hermann Tilke's designs could never hold a candle to most ancient UK country roads. I often have a hard time convincing myself that I'm not doing a qualifying lap at Brands Hatch. In my opinion, the 140 series was also a very pretty car, despite being boxy. I'd say that the frumpy, sensible image really kicked in with the 240 following the safety vehicle prototype, though I still think that there is beauty to be found in the 200 series. I have a 740 which really handles surprisingly well. It's designed to drive on snow covered Swedish roads and its handling is incredibly predictable while being direct. Its long wheelbase makes it a wolf in sheep's clothing as an amateur budget drifting weapon.

[@pellepp9628]

As a swede, this was a Nice video😊😊

[@klesmer]

Wow, what a trip down memory lane. Growing up in a Volvo family I became a master Volvo tech for over 50yrs.I can't tell you how many times Volvo snatched defeat from the jaws of success. I finally left Volvo for good in 2006 after Ford gained controlling interest. Ford made good Fords, everything else they touched was a disaster.

[@pchristy102]

Back in 1970, my mother bought a BMW 2002 automatic. It was one of the few small "luxury" cars available with an auto box, which she needed. I got to drive it occasionally (I had my own SAAB 96 at the time, which I much preferred). One of the only cars that managed to overtake me in the 2002 when I was trying was a Volvo 123GT! It went past the BMW like it was stood still! I couldn't believe it! I just caught a glimpse of the 123GT badge, and it was gone! In truth, I hated that BMW! The engine and gearbox were great. The rest of the car was utter rubbish, and to this day, I still can't understand why they achieved cult status. The only good thing about it was its straight line performance, which is why I was so shocked that the Volvo made such short work of it...!

[@android584]

I wonder if this is the classic Volvo that Blair Sandburg had in the TV series "The Sentinel".

[@aunceter]

Ralph Nader's demonizing of the Corvair, & small cars across the industry, could be what led folks at Volvo to that focus of safety!

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

Before you mentioned it, I thought to myself , Alfa Romeo. 😆

[@alanclarkeau]

I hankered for one - based on reading reviews. First VOLVO was a 164E, an amazing car, ahead of most other cars on the road at the time and still quite economical. The one which really stands out is a base 244, 1980, SU carb Manual - just a great fun car to drive, particularly on dirt or winding roads. Later 940GLE was sensible, comfortable but less fun. Modern ones - nope.

[@bombakdik]

From profile it makes me think of an enlarged Alfa GT. A bit. And that is in honour of the Alfa! Volvo to me gave me the feeling like they made cars, but in fact hate cars. Apart from the 123, Amazon and P1800, I find it a very odd and dull brand. Cheers from Belgium. Edit: just found out you said exactly the same! Commented before watching, 100% the truth.

[@64gorrilla]

My first car in the 80s was a 1970 123 with low profile tyres and b20 engine would leave the xr3 standing ❤

[@jackh5489]

The Amazone was so well built, that the massive side production of spare parts, down to the bulbs, was lying unsold on the shelves and Volvo, to avoid bankruptcy had to lover their standarts on general production, but focused on safety as the main seller (also not to be outdone by their closest rival SAAB).

[@john1703]

This is Volvo's best car, even better than the P1800. Any gear ratio, in a longitudinal box, other than 1:1, requires putting drive through the layshaft, which makes more noise. 4th gear was direct, with the input and output shafts locked together. Hence the need for an additional overdrive epicyclic gearbox.

[@richardbradbury8735]

123GT super rare! Only 600 left worldwide! Half a million Amazons built of which only 1500 of those were 123GT’s

[@PIasmaZombie]

not bad. i like the Volvo 164 Stationwagon, that is in my opinion the nicest Volvo car, the older version with that bumper that is curved below the grill. i would like to see new videos of that Volvo 164. that dark green from Volvo originally from back then the Volvo 164 came with from Volvo is i think the color that suits the 164 best.

[@sopastar]

You have very particular taste, since only a single 164 station wagon was ever built

[@Jeffrey_M]

Thanks, Jack. Enjoyed this.

[@matthewhaddon599]

I had a 2018 Volvo V90, but I quickly part-exchanged it as I just didn't think it was very well made when I started looking at the fit and finish close up...reflects the Chinese ownership I think. The older cars seem to be built to last.

[@garyjones8556]

Volvo also had a similar experience in there truck sales in the 70s and 80s with the F86 and G88/9 and later the F10 and F12 which sold in there 1000s here in Australia much more drivable with the syncomesh gearbox they were so much more drive able for new drivers all synchro gearboxes were not seen in trucks till then

[@1KJRoberts]

I've always enjoyed your videos. Direct. Informative. And a tad, cheeky. I'd love to see your review of a Citroen DS. Full disclosure: I daily a '72 here in the States.

[@seriksson9721]

2.30 min. From 1963 they were manufactured in Sweden (normally speaking) the name was then changed to "Volvo 1800s"

[@marcbungener1877]

sonically the coupé seems a lot more confortable (watched the two video in close succession)

[@quaipau]

My '57 Volvo PV444 had optional seat belts, i'm pretty sure that was the first one.

[@storkythepunk]

Maybe you should watch "Geoff Buys Cars" youtube video's of his track days at Donington with his Volvo 850, great video though, that Amazon looks, and sounds great.

[@johnmac8084]

Good to hear the gear-stick isn't the "porridge stirrer" that it looks to be

[@Ozcrazy49]

Yeah, not a Morris 850!

[@rover100bunson]

Had a 122s great car

[@ingrampowell9111]

@Tacko14, I'm a Volvo guy (just said goodbye to "Sweet P", my beloved 1800ES) but sorry - I'd rather have a Miura thank you very much!

[@michaelarchangel1163]

Weren't the engines in these and the P1800 originally intended for agricultural usage and with massively overengineered main bearing cranks ? That now deceased American gent put over 2 million miles on his, having had it taken down at around 750,000 miles and found that everything was still well within tolerance. Keep the tin worm at bay and you'll never need another car.

[@turistomer3702]

İ don't know if the 122/3 range do as well but a lot of the volvos use Renault derived engines which have the best air mixture in the world.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thank you for this video. The Amazon is the other Mini Cooper or Lotus Cortina.

[@markrandle4368]

although it's a small car, the headroom looked enormous.

[@markbray2988]

Volvo For Life!

[@neilstern7108]

I didn't have the GT but this car was the first brake job and was a breeze to do the fluid change. Unlike a MGB that you have some trouble. By the way I swear the engine is a 1800 same as a MGB .

[@mrspandel5737]

Well yes both the MGB and this have slightly tractor-y 1800cc Pushrod Fours, but they are totally unrelated engines

[@neilstern7108]

​@@mrspandel5737 when you say unrelated sort of made sense the Volvo ran smoother. Shifting was smoother. Thanks for sharing.

[@macmanipowermacbookprair4110]

I think I have to disagree on your opinion of the succes of Volvo Jack. Volvo is the only manufacturer not of the German 3(Audi/MB/BMW) or maybe JLR that still manages to sell E-segment and other upper segment cars. Almost all other brands have failed at that. Alfa/Citroën/Fiat/Ford/Lancia/Opel/Peugeot/Renault/etc. Shows that people want to pay quite a premium for a Volvo.

[@546268]

Would love an estate Amazon

[@timbrookes3699]

Jack, I think that the Saab 96, had seatbelts earlier?

[@steveong4738]

Great video. Volvo and Alfa Romeo lost to BMW and Mercedes in the last 50 years. With the current dynamics, (with each gen of BMW and Mercedes looking same), both Volvo and Alfa Romeo have a chance to lead in the next decade and beyond.

[@martinda7446]

PPS. The Volvo P1800 which covered over 3 million miles..(It may be 4M but I can't verify) had its first clutch change at ... Wait for it.... 450,000 miles... 😷.

[@ChildSpaceMethod]

I disagree that the Amazon 120 series was the peak. My first car was a '65 122S and later drove a '71 142. That was heavier, had a better SU carburetor (with integral float chamber and seemingly free of fiddling) more precise suspension and steering, roomier in back seat and trunk and better seats. While the shape may not be as iconic as the 120 series, their boxy look was modern and practical. The 142 was much more nimble than the boatlike 122S. Maybe the 123 *was* the peak, but the 122 was tractorlike and the 142 handling more like the BMW 2002. Some guys who raced 142 series drilled out the *whole chassis* to save weight.

[@danielseymour6726]

Simple, fun , roomy. What happened to this combination in our present time.