This image shows the new 1962 Volvo P 220 Amazon series 122S
Estate or Stationwagon model, as photographed for the new 1962 model year.
The Volvo
Amazon was a mid-size car manufactured by Volvo Cars from 1956 until July 3 1970 at the company's
Torslandaverken plant. A total of 667,323 examples were produced. Compared to
its predecessor, the PV444 and the PV544, the Amazon was a more modern car
available in a wider range of body-styles — though the Amazon shared both the
wheelbase from the PV as well as its tall posture and high H-point seating.
Notably, the Amazon was the first car to feature three-point seat belts, and
the first to have any kind of seat belt as standard equipment. When originally
introduced, the car was called the Amason (with an 's'), which derives from the
fierce female warriors of Greek mythology, the Amazons. Volvo modified the
spelling to Amazon and used the name for the range up until 1961, when it initiated
its new tri-digit nomenclature and the line became known as the 120 Series. The
Amazon's styling was inspired by American cars of the early 1950s, strongly
resembling the Chrysler New Yorker sedan and the Chrysler 300C hardtop Coupe. According
to designer Jan Wilsgaard, the Amazon's styling was inspired by a Kaiser
automobile he saw at the Gothenburg harbour. Notably, the Amazon featured
strong articulation front to rear, pronounced "shoulders", and slight
but visible tailfins. These features became inspiration for Peter Horbury when
reconceiving Volvo's design direction with the V70 — after decades of
rectilinear, slab-sided, boxy designs. The station wagon (estate) version was
introduced at the 1962 Stockholm Auto Show, and Volvo manufactured 73,000
examples between 1962 and 1969. The Amazon estate featured a bi-parting
tailgate, a lower section folding down to provide a load surface and an upper
section that hinged overhead. The vehicle's rear license plate, attached to the
lower tailgate, could fold "up" such that when the tailgate was
lowered and the vehicle in use, the license plate was still visible. This idea
was used by the original 1959 Austin
Mini. In recent years a similar arrangement was used on the tailgate of the
Subaru Baja. Notably, the Amazon platform was used as the basis for the P1800
and P1800ES. The first Amazon was manufactured in July 1956 and carried the
internal designation 120 series. Further iterations included the 121, the base
model with a single carburetor 66 bhp (49 kW) engine, the 122S introduced
in 1958 as a performance model equipped with a dual carburetor 85 bhp
(63 kW) engine, and the later 130 (two door sedan), 120 (four door sedan)
and 220 (4-door estate wagon) models. In 1966 the Volvo PV ended production,
replaced by the Amazon Favorit, a simpler version of the Amazon. In 1967 came
the 123GT that was a 130 with high compression B18B engine (from the Volvo
P1800), M41 gearbox, fully reclining seats, front fog and driving lights (on
some markets), alternator, fender mounted mirrors, special steering wheel, dash
with a shelf and tachometer, and other cosmetic upgrades. In 1969 the displacement
of the old B18 engine was increased and the engine was called the B20. While
the car was sold as the Volvo Amazon in Sweden, it was marketed using the
model number in most other countries, commonly, the Volvo 122; the name
"Amazon" was already a registered trademark in various markets by
German moped manufacturer Kreidler. The Amazon's mechanics and modified
floorpan were used in the Volvo P1800 sports car. Notably, the 1976 film All
the President's Men (about Watergate), featured a grey Amazon driven by the
investigative reporters (Woodward and Bernstein). Original specifications for
the Amazon included Volvo's new B16 engine, a 3-speed manual gearbox (H6) and
rear wheel drive. In 1958 the sport model, Amazon Sport, was released and later
the same year the Amazon became the first series produced car with a two-point
safety belt in the front seats as standard. In 1962, Volvo introduced a two
door version, a five door wagon, and the new B18 engine, deleting two-tone
paint and upholstery. 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.
This image is a very nice and very rare non period
photo that reflects a wonderful era of Volvo
's automotive history in a wonderful way. It has a nice large format
of ca. 8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 26 cm).
It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.