1965 Volvo Amazon 122 S FIA Rally Car

The Volvo Amazon established itself as one of the toughest and most dependable competition cars of its era, building on the success of the earlier PV444 and PV544. The Amazon quickly earned a formidable reputation in international rallying, particularly on the long-distance endurance events of Scandinavia and East Africa where strength, reliability and durability were every bit as important as outright speed. Today, it remains a well-respected choice for historic rally competition.

Constructed by renowned competition specialists, Safety Devices, in 1996 specifically to contest the Historic Safari Rally, this 1965 Volvo Amazon was built with a clear objective of producing an exceptionally durable Group 2 specification rally car. It competed on the Historic Safari Rally on several occasions and subsequently became a familiar and highly successful competitor on the British Historic Rally Championship scene, having previously been campaigned by a former three-time British Historic Rally Champion.

The specification reflects its serious competition pedigree. The reinforced and seam welded shell incorporates a full Safety Devices roll cage, works specification transmission tunnel, triple skinned sills, reinforced jacking points and revised rear damper mountings. Suspension is by Bilstein throughout, while braking is enhanced by competition specification components with an adjustable front brake servo and hydraulic handbrake. Power comes from a Swedish-built ENEM engine producing 164bhp at the wheels, featuring forged pistons and rods, paired with a Sandex straight-cut dog-engagement gearbox, Swedish limited-slip differential and reinforced rear axle with Spicer half shafts.

Inside, the cockpit has recently been updated during the current ownership with new rally seats, harnesses, a Brantz rally timer and switchable electric power steering, complementing the bespoke fabricated pedal box and competition controls. The car has also been professionally resprayed, presenting well while remaining true to its competition purpose.

Previously issued with FIA Historic Technical Papers, the papers have now expired but, with no material changes to the car beyond the safety and usability updates, renewal should present no significant difficulty. It is currently supplied with a Motorsport UK Competition Passport for Class 1 Stage Rallying, valid until 2028.

Accompanying the car is an extensive history file including dyno sheets, invoices, photographs documenting its competition history, previous FIA papers and Motorsport UK documentation, together with two spare wheels with tyres and a spare radiator.

Purchased by our vendor with ambitions of competing on historic rallies, the Amazon has seen just one competitive outing during his ownership before taking the decision that rallying was not for them.

A proven historic rally car with genuine Safari Rally heritage, outstanding preparation by Safety Devices and a competitive specification, this Amazon offers its next custodian an exciting opportunity to acquire a competitive and highly eligible machine, ready to return to the stages or endurance events both in the UK and internationally.