1967 | Volvo P 121

Inspection report on Dropbox: Click here

- Valid (until 2024) Belgian MOT
- Brought to Belgium in 2019
- In good condition, ready to drive and a well maintained interior
- The Amazon was one of the first cars to have the world famous three-point safety belt

The Volvo Amazon was released in 1956 and was intended to succeed the Volvo PV444, which only happened after a period of acclimatising. The Amazon was the embodiment of the beautiful duet of safety and sportiness. The people liked this car, eventually it was produced in large quantities until 1970, and various variants were introduced over the years.

In 1950, Jan Wilsgaard became the Volvo design manager. He was barely twenty years old though very ambitious. He was entrusted with designing a sportier, luxurious, and very safe successor to the Volvo PV444. After some trial and error, the inexperienced designer learned from mistakes in prototypes and gained insight for designing the flawless Volvo Amazon. The Volvo Amazon was introduced to the public in 1956: an aerodynamic sedan with 60 or 76 horsepower - depending on the model - and a 1.6-liter engine, that became larger and more powerful over the years. The design seems to have some Italian and American influences, but the built-in protection makes it very Swedish.

Initially, the Amazon was intended to succeed the PV444. Because the Amazon was too expensive and luxurious according to most people, Volvo chose to release a temporary substitute. The substitute was named PV544 and was produced along with the Amazon until 1965.

Wilsgaard lived in the future, which made him think of efficient solutions. The car was equipped with a heating system that used engine heat to keep the passengers warm in wintry Sweden. To take safety to new levels, the car was equipped with a three-point seatbelt, which was unprecedented at the time, drew a lot of attention, and is still used in almost every passenger car today. Additionally, the car was aerodynamically, thus sporty designed. This was not a coincidence, Volvo aimed to make the car as fuel economical as possible.

Over the years, various variants have been made that have been changed and improved. The car is also referred to using the code P120. That code distinguishes the different models that were made. In 1962, an estate car of the Amazon was introduced and named the Amazon Kombi - or P220. Also in 1962, a two-door coach was released and referred to as P130.

Volvo P130

The Volvo P130 is the two-door coach Volvo Amazon that was manufactured from 1962 to 1970. A total of nine different variants were released, each undergoing minor changes.

In total, 359.917 unique models of the P130 were produced over eight years of production, making this prestigious and versatile car a success. The innovative safety measures and the typical get-go Volvo look make this car a sought-after classic car.

Technical information:

Body work

- Length (cm): 445 (175 inch)
- Width (cm): 162 (64 inch)
- Height (cm): 151 (59 inch)
- Wheelbase (cm): 260 (102 inch)
- Weight (kg): 1100 (2425 lbs)

Mechanics

- Engine: in-line four-cylinder front-engine, 1778 cc
- Valve gear: 8, OHV
- Fuel system: 1 Zenith Stromberg 175 CD carburettor
- Gear box: 4-speed manual
- Transmission: RWD
- Left-steered
- power: 75 hp (55 kW) at 4500 t/m
- torque: 135 Nm at 3500 t/m
- Top speed: 165 km/h (103 mph)