The Volvo Amazon was manufactured from 1956 to 1970 and was a mid-size car produced by Volvo cars. A total of 667,323 Amazons were built during that time. Unlike its predecessor, the PV, the Amazon was available in a variety of body styles and was a modern car. Amazon has the distinction of having three point seat belts and was the first car which had seat belt as standard equipment. The Volvo Amazon though had the wheelbase, the tall posture and the High H-Point seating of the PV.
The car which was initially introduced as the Amason had its name changed to Amazon in the year 1961. The style and the design of the car was inspired from the American cars of the 50s and bore a strong resemblance to the Chrysler 300C hardtop Coupe and the Chrysler New Yorker sedan. The 1962 Stockholm Auto Show saw the estate version of the Amazon being introduced. The first Amazon had a 49kW engine and 66bhp. The 122S which was launched in 1958 had dual carburetor 63kW engine. The car had a new B16 engine, a 3-speed gearbox which was manual and a rear wheel drive.
The year 1962 saw a new two door version with B18 engine which was a five door wagon. The car also came with M31 gearbox which was available only for one year and that was 1961. 1964 saw a four door and a two door being available in Borg-Warner BW35 three speed automatic transmissions. The mechanics and modified floorpan of the Amazon were also used in the Volvo P1800 sports car.
