Volvo Amazon 123GT Page

The elusive Volvo Amazon 123GT car

First ride home, 123GT

The first ride home, not very dignified, but safe. It has been sitting for a while.

The front fenders and bumper has been replaced with what appears to '65 or '66 sheet metal, based on the older style grill inserts.

This also explains the front chrome bumper bar. The GT did not have this. Instead, it was equipped with Hella fog and driving lights as seen on the left.

The GT fog and driving lights are long gone. Yes, I was hoping to find them in the trunk.


Even with torn head liner, missing door panels etc, the GT interior tells a story of a 60's racer.	This picture shows how sexy the Volvo sales literature made this car look. Maybe I can return this car to the same level of excitement
The dirty chassis plate with the s-code: 5314, confirming GT status. Also, the 13335 in the Type code is GT only. I have seen GT's without the s-code as well, but the 13335 will always be present on a GT car. This car was assembled in Sweden and shipped to the US at some point. To the best of my knowledge Volvo did not distribute any GT models in the US. Several GT cars were however brought to the US in via Volvo's EDP program. (European Delivery Program) See more on this here. The 94 code stands for that gorgeous dark green color. Volvo did have GT cars built in Canada, but they were lacking the fog and driving light. They did however all seem to be equipped with limited slip rear differential.

Yes, wrong tach, I know. I have located a correct unit.	Your editor want a set of those driving gloves! (From a 1967 sales brochure)


This Swedish bumper sticker reads: "Nuclear power? No thanks !"	Based on the anti nuclear bumper sticker from New Mexico, I must assume that the owner that had the car in Sweden kept it in the US.

The engine number is 496860, this would be the correct 1967 115hp C-cam engine with M41 OD trans, and a 4:56 rear axle ratio.

This is not going to be an easy restoration, and it will take time. Based on the amount of excitement around this mythical car, it would be worth it.

	The "White Knight" Parts Car: This white 1965 four door is giving up many parts to help the GT back on the road. The bad news with restoring a GT is that GT specific parts are hard to come by, but the good news is that all other items are the same as 122 cars. The great thing with a complete parts car is that you have one of everything.
The parts car gave up the complete front brake system. With new brake hoses and some new lines, the car has a firm brake pedal, first time since 1988.. I also added a rebuilt master cylinder, as well as a clutch and slave cylinder. Now I have a functioning clutch. Small steps, I know, but it is very motivating

A running, driving, braking, titled, and licensed Volvo 123GT.

With the correct bumper, grille inserts and blinkers from the parts car, the nose now looks presentable. Yeah, need a molding on the door.

The first test drive went well. I just drove around the block. I will work on testing the overdrive next. Good progress though.

June 5th, 2011

Got a chance to get it out again, this time up to freeway speed. The car has a lot of power and it is evident that the GT has a different suspension that the 122. It drives much firmer but not uncomfortable by any means. I am surprised how tight it drove and the steering feels good as well.

I was also excited to find the overdrive engaging on the first try. Find a happy driver on this video:

Jul 2011:

Direct sun light...not the best for decent pictures.
Not perfect by any means...but with cleaned up rims, caps and all the stainless moldings installed we got ourselves a 20 yarder.

Canadian Volvo Amazon 123GT

The blue knight.

I found this Canadian built GT for a parts car. The body looks good from a distance but it is very rusty. It has a lot of nice straight stainless and the correct tach.
Also, it has limited slip and 4 way flashers, something my Swedish built GT did not have. This car will help my GT in many ways.

If anyone has any doubt as to how rusty this car is, here is your editor doing a power brake test.

Next: Go thru thru and make sure all the lights and equipment work. Install GT emblems, fender mirrors and the correct tach.

July 2011

Yuck! Better... Better yet !

Replaced the choke lever and cleaned the chrome on the bezels.

123GT loud horn assy

Removed the load horn assembly to see if I can get it honking again.

123GT horn location

Interesting GT observation. The bolt that normally holds the 122S horns appears to be installed after the car was painted. They are unpainted and usually have some corrosion since they were never protected. Like the bolt was installed after the fact. You would think the factory would know before paint that it is a GT?
I have seen this on several unmolested GT cars. I wonder why?

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If you have any 123GT parts, let me know via e-mail

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