Description
Volvo built half a million Amazon saloons and estates between 1956 and 1970, a remarkable testimony to the cars appeal worldwide. Building on their reputation for toughness which the PV444 and PV544 models had established, the Amazons added greater interior room and perhaps surprising to those more used to the Volvos of the 1970s and 1980s, real good looks. These Volvos were quick, too. The very first versions produced only 66bhp from their B16 engines, but the last cars had the enlarged B20 which delivered 115bhp and tuning specialists were able to increase even that figure quite substantially without compromising the basic integrity of the cars. Handling a Volvo strong point in the Fifties and Sixties was excellent, and today, a 123 GT or a late 122S remains an enjoyable car to drive, and one which really is capable of keeping up with the demands of modern traffic. Although the Amazons were used competitively, they never quite emulated the successes of their PV444 and PV544 forebears. As owners can testify, this was not because they had gone soft, it was simply that the opposition was so much stronger than it had been in the heyday of the earlier models. At long last, people other than Volvo devotees are beginning to appreciate the Amazons virtues. Fortunately for them, the models legendary longevity means that there are still plenty of examples around for them to enjoy. But for those Doubting Thomases who remain unconvinced, this book provides a first-class introduction to the range. It is, I think, difficult to come away from reading it without having a pretty clear idea of what made the Amazon so good. Some 64 articles drawn from six countries trace the development of the 120 series of sedans & wagons from their inception in 1956. Featured are road & comparison tests, new model intros, long-term & used car reports plus advice on buying a classic Amazon.
With a total of 208 fully illustrated pages. SB.
