While the Volvo Amazon is most famous for being a reliable and practical form of 1960s transport, it was also a successful rally and touring car during the same era. In fact, race-prepped 122s scored class wins at Nurburgring and Brands Hatch, and first overall in the European Rally Championship, the Shell 4000 Rally, the RAC European Touring Car Championship, the World Championship for Manufacturers, the Acropolis Rally, and the Syd Rally in Sweden.
Building off of this legacy, Volvo created the two-door 123GT in 1967. Added to the stock 122 was a stiffer suspension, a brake booster and front disc brakes, fog and driving lights, a large tachometer, Recaro seats, Pirelli Cinturato tires, and plenty of unique trim kit.
The motor was the P1800’s same trusty B18B mill, equipped with twin SU carburetors and tuned to high compression. The straight-four engine produced 115 hp at 6,000 rpm, and all 123GTs were built with 4-speed manual transmissions with electronically controlled overdrive.
While production was supposed to exceed 5,000 units it is believed that only about 1,500 Volvo 123GTs were made during 1967 and 1968. The cars were typically driven in a manner consistent with their purpose and survivorship today is relatively low, making the 123GT an interesting and worthwhile collectible ride.