Volvo Amazon WagonCoordinates 47.6671092,-122.3856531
Picture dated July 2011
The Volvo 120 Series is known generally as the 'Amazon'. Half a million were built by Volvo between 1956-1970 and the cars gained a well-earned reputation for toughness and longevity.
When introduced the car caused some surprises for a relatively small-engined car with a performance matching and in some cases exceeding some sports cars.
Original specifications for the Amazon included the new Volvo B16 engine, a 3-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. In 1958 the sport model, Amazon Sport, was released . In 1965 the Amazon color-coordinated embossed vinyl upholstery and door panels became available. The new gearbox selections were the three-speed M30 (briefly offered with an automatic electric clutch), the four-speed M40 and the M41 with four-speed and overdrive. The M31 gearbox was also introduced in 1961 but was only available that year (a three-speed fully synchronized gearbox with overdrive on both second and third direct gears). Gearbox options on the 121 were the M30, M31 and M40 while gearbox options on the 122S were the M40 and M41 gearboxes. In 1964 the Borg-Warner BW35 three-speed automatic transmission also became available on the four-door and two-door. From 1967 to 1968 the BW35 was also available on the five-door wagon.
In 1962 the Amazon became the first series produced car with a three-point safety belt in the front seats as standard.
The station wagon (estate) version was introduced at the 1962 Stockholm Auto Show, and Volvo manufactured 73197 examples between 1962 and 1969. The Amazon estate featured a two-piece tailgate, with the lower section folding down to provide a load surface and the upper section that hinged overhead.
For more information see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_Amazon.
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