1965 Volvo Amazon 122 S FIA Rally Car

Background:

By the time Volvo launched their 121/122/123 Amazon saloons the firm had an enviable reputation for building reliable, roomy, safe vehicles, the company becoming the first to provide front seat belts as standard equipment in 1959, opting not to trademark their revolutionary three-point belts, so that all other car manufacturers could improve the safety of their own vehicles, without paying Volvo a fee.

Building on the reputation of the PV444/544 saloons, from which a good deal of the running gear was derived, the new Amazon added a dash of stylish Transatlantic flair, in 2- and 4-door saloon form, as well as the popular station wagon.

The PV444 and 544 had been popular competition cars – especially in Scandinavia – and the Amazon was immediately picked up by Volvo race and rally drivers and proved itself to be a competitive proposition immediately. It excelled on rougher, longer events, further building Volvo’s reputation for building strong cars and has proved to be equally popular in historic rallying as it was in period.

The car:

This remarkable 1965 Volvo 122 S Amazon was built into a rally car by Safety Devices in 1996 to contest the historic Safari Rally, which it has done on several occasions. The roll cage and rally prep specialists were given one task - build the ultimate bullet-proof Group 2 car – and they succeeded. It’s the details which set this car apart, with no stone left unturned, from the work-of-art fabricated pedal box to ‘works’ modifications, this car has a truly mouthwatering spec.

The car has been a well-known and successful regular on the British Historic rallying scene for many years and comes with a Motorsport UK competition passport valid until 2028 for Class 1: Stage Rally and having previously had FIA papers, those can also be renewed.

The vendor is an experienced rally driver and former rally preparation specialist. He bought and prepared the Amazon with the Historic Monte Carlo Rally in mind before he suffered a change of personal circumstances. 

A heathy spares package is also included, which will keep the buyer going for a long time on the stages.

Chassis

• Seam-welded reinforced shell featuring full Safety Devices roll cage
• ‘Works’ transmission tunnel
• ‘Works’ rear shock location, allowing quick removal
• Bilstein dampers
• Triple-skinned sills and reinforced jacking points
• Polycarbonate windows
• Custom wiring loom

Cockpit

• Custom fabricated pedal-box
• Corbeau seats - valid until the end of 2024 – with TRS harnesses - valid until the end of 2028
• Lifeline plumbed-in fire extinguisher (will likely require renewal prior to competition use)
• Full Terratrip timing system 
• Bilstein jack

Engine

• Swedish built ENEM engine delivering 164bhp to the wheels (dyno sheet supplied)
• Forged rods
• Forged pistons
• Custom fabricated swirl pot

Transmission & Drivetrain

• Sandex dog gearbox with straight-cut gears
• Reinforced rear axle with Spicer half-shafts
• Swedish-supplied limited-slip differential
• Revolution MiniLite-style wheels 
• Low mileage Pirelli Scorpion tyres
• Spare wheel to match the above
• Competition wheel studs

Brakes

• Competition brakes
• Adjustable servo acting on front brakes
• Hydraulic handbrake with factory lengthened arm

Ancillaries 

• Twin fuel pumps
• Custom aluminium fuel tank by AH
• Two spotlights with wiring for four

History

• Large history file including dyno sheets, invoices, pictures, FIA papers and MSA/Motorsport UK passport papers and log book
• 2003 Safari Rally
• Three times British Historic Rally Champion

Spares

• 10 wheels and tyres fitted with Pirelli Scorpion tyres in both 156 and 185 sizes
• Spare engine with 8:1 compression ratio, ideal for long-distance rallies
• SU carbs and manifold to match the above
• Standard overdrive transmission
• Miscellaneous brake spares
• Two spare Bilstein shocks
• Original East African Safari Rally steel petrol tank

The car is supplied on the button, with only a refreshed extinguisher required to bring it up to competition spec.

Summary:

If you’re looking for the perfect introduction to historic rallying, this Amazon is the car for you. Superbly-prepared and maintained, it has a hugely-successful past and is ready to turn heads again, at home or abroad. Why go for an Escort, when you can stand out in a Volvo?

Location: Worcestershire

Seller: Private

Photography: Professional