Volvo 121 “Amazon”

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Car-ID: XT0136

Model, Body type:
Coupe
Registration:
1968
Engine Power:
1,780 CCM (55 KW / 75 BHP)
Transmission:

			
			Manual transmission
		
Color:

			Blue		
Doors:
2
Mileage:
138,300 km

Vehicle Description

This Volvo 121 was built in 1968, the founding year of the rockband Led Zeppelin, who incidentally performed in Sweden during their very first tour. In 1968, the successor model would already have been available, yet the first owner chose the tried and tested 121 instead. According to the consignor, this car had gone through two ownerships when he purchased it in Sweden in 2006 (the year before Led Zeppelin’s final revival concert…). He himself drove the car on its own wheels to Germany without any issues. A few years before, in 1996, the “Amazon” is said to have been treated to a partial chassis overhaul and repainting at the Volvo plant. The ice blue exterior goes very nicely with the black vinyl interior, all in good shape. Some microbubbles on the paint, as seen on the boot lid and the rear body panels, are the unfortunate result of a winter in moist conditions, but don’t tarnish the positive overall impression much.
The B18 engine, a 1.8 litre four-cylinder, produces 55 kW (75 hp) of power. As a late model 121, this example is already equipped with disc brakes and brake booster, features which were introduced for the model years 1964 and 1965 respectively. This car has German registration documents, valid technical approval until 06/2018 and historic plates.
If you’ve always been feeling a “whole lotta love” for these beautiful Swedish steel Amazons, don’t miss your chance!

As opposed to many other manufacturers, Volvo did not immediately discontinue an outgoing model as soon as the successor had been put on the market. The Volvo 121 was presented in 1956, but the PV 544 (“hunchback Volvo”) it was set to replace lived on for another couple of years. Similarly, the last 121 rolled off the assembly line in 1970, when the 140 series was in its fourth year of production. Production of the “Amazon”, as the car is known as, lasted for a full 14 years, with fairly few changes. Volvo introduced seat belts as standard on the 121 in 1959, the world’s first manufacturer to do so. Originally, the four-door sedan was the only available body type. The coupé-like two door sedan followed 1961, it eventually became the most popular model. In 1962, the P 221 station wagon with its typical two-piece tailgate was added. The very durable 1.6 and 1.8 litre four-cylinder engines were essentially carried over from the predecessor. For the last years of production, a 2.0 litre variant was made available. The 121 also provided the platform for both the P1800 sport coupé as well as the 1800 ES (“snowwhite’s coffin”). In total, 667,791 vehicles of the “Amazon” series were built, about 60 % are said to have gone to export markets.