Volvo 123GT Rally Car

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In 1956 Volvo launched one of its most successful model ranges, the Amazon series, which was to remain in production until 1970.

Starting with the 121 and 122 models, the Amazon range soon established itself as a comfortable, reliable and superbly well-built car which also introduced new levels of safety equipment – still very much a novelty in the mid-Fifties!

Austere but beautifully proportioned, the Amazon was styled by Jan Wilsgaard who was inspired by American cars of the period such as the Chrysler New Yorker and the Chrysler 300C hardtop coupe, both of which it closely resembles although in a restrained Scandinavian way. Immensely rugged and well-engineered, many Amazons are still in daily use and are also extremely popular on the historic rally scene.

Pick of the bunch was undoubtedly the 123GT which was only made between August 1966 and August 1968. Exact production figures are uncertain but the best estimate seems to be around 1,500 examples. Designed to be the sportiest model of the range, the two door 123GT had the high compression B18D engine from the P1800 with hotter cams and revised breathing which produced 115bhp compared to the 85bhp of the standard model.

Allied to an all-synchro four-speed overdrive gearbox it could propel the car to a top speed of 115mph. Other tweaks included uprated shock absorbers, special wheel trims, front fog lamps, a dash-top mounted rev counter, reclining seats and an elegant three-spoke steering wheel.

Dating from 1967, this particular 123GT began in life as a standard car but was restored and converted into a historic rally car by the previous owner in 1991, when it was also granted FIA papers. The original 1800 engine was replaced by a 2-litre unit mated to the original gearbox with overdrive (although a spare 1800 engine and 2-litre gearbox are also included in the price (to be collected from the vendor’s premises near Evesham).

The vendor acquired the car in 1996 and campaigned it regularly over the next few years including doing the Monte Carlo Challenge in 1997 and the Dash to Marrakesh in 1998. Old MOTs show that the car has covered some 6,800 miles since 1996, most of these in the first three years, having been mainly kept in storage since and regularly MOTd.

This vehicle is fitted with a full roll cage, rally seats with four point rally/race quick release harnesses and a passenger footrest with horn button. The car has four auxiliary driving lights plus roof light and Lucas fog reversing light. The boot has been adapted to carry two spare wheels, both fitted with unused spare tyres. The car is also fitted with a plumbed in fire extinguishing system, additional extinguisher and the fuel and brake lines are routed inside the car and a master electrical cut-out switch has been fitted. The car is rigged for a Halda rally clock and a Halda Twinmaster which can be seen in the photos but these are not included in the sale and will be available by separate negotiation if desired.

Much documentation relating to servicing, tax, MOT and maintenance is available recording the history of the vehicle over the last 15 years. A quantity of useful spares is also included.

Said to remain in good running order and certainly starting promptly and running nicely on the occasion of our visit, it is MOTd until November 2015 with no advisories recorded. It comes with FIA papers from 1991, FIVA papers from 1996, an original owner’s handbook and 123GT Supplement plus various bills and old MOTs.