Can anyone tell me when the 122 series had the B20 engine? I bought one from a guy who said he took it out of a 122, 30 years ago. He's had it in his garage since then. If there is a site with engine info can you direct me? Thanks.
Ron

Hey Phil,
The 122s/B20 sold in Canada in 1969-70 wasn't an Amazon it was a "Canadian" as were all 122's assembled in Nova Scotia.

Ok! I'm clear about it now. Who's on first?
Ron

Hah! Unleashed a flood if trivia onto yourself, didn't you?

Hmm...

Don't know if I dare throw myself into this thread, but:

- B20 engines came arround end of 1968.

- 120/130/220 models where not sold in US/Canada market after 1968 model (with B18 engines)

- 120/130 models where sold further on, up to 1970 models in European markets, here they all came with B20 and true dual brake system (head rests and minor other different details)

- 220 models only further into 1969 models - with B20 and dual brakes, only apr. a number of 3,000 - so very collectable here..


- The 123GT was in 1968/69 possible to order with B20 engine.

- No 120/130/220/123 model was EVER with rear disc brakes.

- A lot of discussions is always twisted wrong due to the true refer to the 120/130/220 designations:

A 120 - is a 4 door - Amazon/122S whatever

A 130 - is a 2 door -

A 220 - is the 4+1 door wagon -

So: 122S in US/Canada market was never with a B20 naturally - but in European markets we still had a lot of "132S" models.. Still though badge'd "122S"..

In other words - all market's models where badge'd "122S" when they where a B18D - B18B - B20D engined model.- regardless of doors/sedan/wagon.

(And only the very rare 1962-1964 wagons where badge'd "Volvo 221" and of course the 123GT was badge'd just that)

What you Americans must try understand is:

The Amazon - later 120 model is the "tree's base" - the 122S model is a "sporty" model of the 121 - but due to Volvo wanting to be a prestige make in US/Canada - they only exported the 122S models..

So - originally, there where: 121's, 131's and 221's. Badge'd "Volvo 121" or "Volvo 221". The sporty models where all badge'd "Volvo 122S" -S for Sport! (even the sport wagons! -confused?)

Ohh... I think this ended up very confusing.. Read it again and again..

:-)

Ohh.. And then: The 4 door sedan ended in 1967 models - so! If any have seen a 1969 122S - it's true, but should be designated as a 132 model.. - well, could also be a 133!.. Get it?

122S - Amazon chassis... Model.. Design..1 is sedan/2 is wagon
122S - Number of doors.. Well - 2 is a 4 door, 3 is a 2 door
122S - Designation of engine! 1-B18A/B20A, 2-B18D/B20D, 3-B18B/B20B

122S - Sport - Just a label/badge-thing..

Make sense to anyone?...

Well - a little extra note:
Just as you Americans call this lovely Volvo model a "122S" - We Europeans call it an "Amazon".. Volvo intended to sell it as an "Amazon" -but a small German motorcycle company had JUST filed their registratin of a new MC model the "Amazon" and Volvo was beaten by the trademark laws.. As simple as that - Volvo was simply not ahead with registration of a trademark.. and it all ended up so confusing..

Volvo introduced the Amazon (as an "Amazon") in 1957 - but didn't really export it until a little later, arround 1959 for the US/Canada market.. Where they simply just labelled it "122S".. Volvo never thought of the future Internet and the problems that this invention could make...

:-)

Ehmm.. Funny thing is then: A 123GT!??.. Badge thing! - was never a 4 door!!


Want a similar "go through" for the 544's or the 140's???
--
/Soren

On more thing about the B20 123GT: in Switzerland, the success of the genuine 123GT (B18) was so big (people here have always put money in cars to beat their neighbour's prestige) that many (all?) B20 122S zou find here have a 123GT badge, although being identical to the 122S sold in Germany at the same time, for example. I've read on this board a couple years ago a story of someone who bought one of these cars from a swiss PO and posted his email conversation with a swedish amazon guru (the guy at CVI? don't remember). Maybe he'll dive into the debate??
(Still wondering if I want your pre-66 support arms on ebay, Soren... don't have much use and money now, but mine will rust through eventually...)
Cheers, Séb

Soren, one minor correction... I believe the Amazon was sold in Canada for the '69 and '70 model years (with a B20, of course). You're correct that they were not sold in the U.S. after the '68 model year.

Well.. I agree instantly! - :-)

Volvo keept wanting to be a prestige make in US - and I would say that this was the reason for "closing" down on Amazon's - and then exceed the brand with the "new" 140's.. and of course the 164 -the "supreme" luxery..

Isn't it funny - that Volvo probably is the very only make that have had the buyers decide or "controlling" which models would be produced? Today every car manufactor has a new model every year - Volvo has been able to keep chassis style down to 4, roughly - through 1947 - 1993 - 46 years!

And if you count out the 1800 series - only 3 styles in an average of 15 years per body-style.. PV's - Amazon's - 140/240's..





--
/Soren

http://www.vlvworld.com/indexframe.html?engspecs.html

also

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/history/year_stats_search.php

Happy volving,

J.

--
Joaquin / Rojo 121 / Lima, Peru

I believe the B20 engine was introduced in late 1968 for the 1969 model year. In Canada I have never seen any 140 or 122 with the B20 earlier than 1969. Of course we got 69 model year 122 and I have even seen one with the disc brake rear axle. It may have been a 1970 122.
Of course if the block says B20 on it, that's what it is. It will have a large threaded hole in a tab for the alternator, although I am told late B18 blocks have this tab as well. I have never seen a B18 block with the tab myself.

I once bought a rusted out 1970 121 in Switzerland (one of the last sold here I guess: first registration april 70). The car definitely came with a B20 under the hood, but no trace of rear discs of any kind! This was a european market car, though! Cheers, Séb

All 123GT's have an alternator........

122 Volvos have only B18 sawmill ujnder hoods for Amerikan markit. 122 not sold for USofMightyA after 1968. CAr of donation B20, if 122, not USA specifikation modle: must be European or Canadian from 1969 or 1970.

Svet

Blut&Svet Volvo Ficksers
"no mechanics like us!"

Exception: the '67 123GT (which looks a whole lot like a 122, because it IS) had a B20 in the USA.
--
'73 142, '75 242, '75 245, '80 245, '86 244, '87 745T

Mmmmnope. 1967: B18.

Best,

Cameron
Lovely Portland

oops!
--
'73 142, '75 242, '75 245, '80 245, '86 244, '87 745T

Even the 67 and 68 140 series had the B18, although it had the lower
bellhousing bracket like the B20. As far as I know the B20 was not even
produced until the 69 model year and did not appear in any 122s.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

2cents:
I beleive the B20 bellhousing bracket fitting to the B18 is a year thing. Like the castings for alternator that showed up on both sides beginning in '67.
S.

Not true. It came with a B18B, same motor as the 1800

--
Volvo Farmer:

20 Volvos '58-'91

Here in Australia I have seen a 1969122S with a B20 engine and mechanical clutch mechanism as per the 144's. It apparently was as it came from new.
TimC

That's correct for the 69 122. Cable clutch, and the 140 brake system, including the good booster and triangular split with four piston front calipers. Nice cars.

My '69 131 (or 122S going by the above) is a right hand drive model B20A with dual circuit brakes. These are positioned as for the left hand drive car but are activiated by means of a large bar running from the brake pedal to the servo (I think - its too dark to check at the moment). As the car is rusty in some structural places and is probably not economic to repair, I was thinking of using it as a parts car for my '67 left hand drive. Does anyone know if the dual circuit system is a straight fit between left and right hand drive cars (once the right hand drive adaptor bar is removed)?

Thanks in advance,

Aidan
--
1967 131, 1969 131, 1973 Triumph GT6

How does Volvo ingeneers think?

"We have this - now we must also make this - we find a solution"

So.. We have a LHD - now we want to sell to the RHD countries - We do it as efficient as we can!

In other words: Yes - You shouldn't have any problems..

BUT! - From a '69 to a '67 you must be carefull to change everything or the complete (!!) brake system. (Not just the front calipers or so..) Rear brake plate/system is different.. So everything that has to do with brakes must be switched)


--
/Soren