Volvo, Amazon Little Known Facts

Volvo Amazon Little Known Facts

1. The Volvo Amazon was launched in 1967 as a successor to the PV544.
2. It was one of the first production cars to feature a transverse engine mounted ahead of the front wheels.
3. The Amazon's design was influenced by the Volvo P1800, with a similar sloping grille and rounded roofline.
4. The car's nickname "Amazon" comes from the South American river of the same name, and is thought to have been chosen for its exotic sound.
5. A 1968 Amazon was used as a taxi in New York City, making it one of the first European cars to be used as a taxi in the US.
6. The Volvo Amazon was designed with a focus on safety features, including a crumple zone and reinforced door sills.
7. In some countries, the Amazon was sold with a 4-cylinder engine option that produced only 50 horsepower.
8. A rare, high-performance version of the Amazon was produced in Sweden, featuring a 2.0L B18A engine producing 118 horsepower.
9. The Volvo Amazon has been featured in several films and TV shows, including "The Italian Job" (2003) and "Mad Men".
10. In some European countries, the Amazon was popular as a taxi, particularly in Sweden where it was used by the Stockholm Taxi company.
11. A 1974 Amazon won the Rally Monte-Carlo's Group 2 class, marking one of the car's few competitive victories.
12. The Volvo Amazon has become a cult classic among car enthusiasts and is highly sought after for restoration.
13. In some countries, the Amazon was sold as an estate (wagon) model with a longer roofline and larger cargo area.
14. A 1969 Amazon was used by the British Royal Family for ceremonial duties due to its robust construction and lack of emission concerns.
15. The Volvo Amazon's rear wheel arches were designed to be removable, allowing owners to easily change the tires without using a lift.
16. In some countries, the Amazon was marketed as a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive German cars like the Mercedes-Benz 220SE.
17. A rare, limited-production version of the Amazon was sold with a unique rear spoiler and distinctive exterior trim.
18. The Volvo Amazon's interior featured several innovative features for its time, including a collapsible steering column and safety harnesses.
19. In some countries, the Amazon was sold with an optional 3-speed automatic transmission.
20. A 1972 Amazon won a national-level rally competition in Brazil, marking one of the car's few victories outside of Europe.