1965 – Volvo 122 S Amazon

French historic registration title

“Owned by the same family until 2025, with many recent upgrades: ideal for rediscovering the best features of the Amazon in its most sought-after version”

Launched in the 1950s, the Volvo 122S – nicknamed the Amazon – made its mark on its era with its refined styling and assertive character. Its success on the roads and in rallies was down as much to its responsive engine as to its well-balanced chassis, offering an engaging driving experience to those who knew how to get the best out of it.

Launched in 1956, the Volvo 120 Series was produced until 1970, by which time around half a million units had been built. Its build quality, robustness and longevity helped cement the Swedish brand’s global reputation.

Marketed in Sweden under the name Amazon, it is the all-rounder Volvo. It is available as a saloon, coach or estate. The 122 S was launched in 1958 and was fitted with the 1,800 cc B18 engine producing 85 hp from 1961 onwards. It is the sporty model in the range. In the same year, the Amazon became the first car in the world to be fitted with seatbelts as standard.

The Amazons excelled in rallying, like all Swedish cars of that era. It was seen on the special stages of the Monte Carlo Rally, the Acropolis Rally, the Rally of Sweden and the RAC Rally, and went on to achieve some notable successes, including a European title in 1963 (shared with the PV544) with Gunnar Andersson at the wheel.

The car featured in these pages was owned by a single Parisian family until 2025, when its current owner purchased it. Although repainted around the 2000s (in its original colour), the car is in its original condition, with less than 91,000 km on the clock, having undergone numerous recent repairs (engine, clutch, brakes, radiator, etc.) following a long period of hibernation in a Parisian basement garage.