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Volvo Amazon 121 B20 — 1969

Volvo Amazon in a rare specification – a former unmarked police car that has now been restored to excellent condition.

Fredrik Nyblad
Inspector
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Robin Gidebrant
Case manager
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"One of Sweden’s most popular classic cars, in a version of which very few examples remain today. A true classic that’s perfectly usable, with the added appeal of being a genuine police car."

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CURRENT BID
30 OKT 11:10
72 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
18853
STOCKHOLM
ESTIMATED VALUE
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130 - 150 000 SEK
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Fredrik Nyblad
Inspector
Send message
Robin Gidebrant
Case manager
Send message

"One of Sweden’s most popular classic cars, in a version of which very few examples remain today. A true classic that’s perfectly usable, with the added appeal of being a genuine police car."

Description

Volvo Amazon that once served as an unmarked police car in Västerås. The fact that it wasn’t a black-and-white patrol car simply means it lacked a siren, emergency lights, and the two-tone paintwork — but it was otherwise fully equipped with standard police gear. According to the original registration certificate, it was fitted with a communication radio, auxiliary heater, and differential lock.

In 2019, it was purchased by a police car collector who has since carried out an extensive restoration. The car has undergone rust repairs and been professionally repainted in its original dark green color (paint code 94). Both the braking system and the front and rear suspension have been refurbished. The interior has been retrimmed with upholstery kits from VP Autoparts, which also supplied the new headliner. The B20 engine has been completely rebuilt, according to the owner. The gearbox has been overhauled, while the rear axle remains untouched.

As significant as the restoration itself is the fact that the car has been fully refitted with authentic police equipment. The police-specific door pockets were newly manufactured by a Dutch specialist specifically for this vehicle. Behind the windshield sits a still camera for documentation, and in the rear parcel shelf is the fan unit used in police cars. Reflective tape is applied inside the door frames, and a reverse light is mounted at the rear.

One of the unique features specified by the Swedish National Police Board was that the wiper fluid and windshield wipers could be operated simultaneously with a single motion from the steering wheel — and the radio could also be activated from there. This special steering wheel is present in the car, although there is no police radio on the dashboard; the base unit, however, remains in the trunk. There you’ll also find a newly made equipment box containing various police-related items shown in the photos, all included with the car.

The current owner enjoys restoring cars more than driving them, so since the Amazon was completed in 2024, it has not been used. As is often the case with full restorations, a few minor details remain to be adjusted — for example, the reclining mechanisms on the front seat backs.

A set of keys is included. There is no service book, but a copy of the original registration certificate is provided. The odometer on the Volvo Amazon rolls over at 100,000 km, and this car currently shows 61,730 km.

Technical data

  • Year
    1969/1969 
  • Registration date
    1968-10-30 
  • Mileage
    61730 km 
  • Registration Number
    AAN668 
  • Chassis Number
    315139 
  • Kw / hp
    60 / 82 
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Vinyl 
  • Colour
    Dark Green 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    Starts easily and the engine runs smoothly. At idle, a slight noise can be heard, most likely coming from the new fan belt. During the test, no issues were noted with the brakes, suspension, or gearbox operation.

  • Interior condition:

    Much of the interior has been newly manufactured and is therefore in excellent condition. The dashboard features the correct police-specific equipment. In the spot where a police radio would normally be mounted, there is an empty opening — the same location where a standard Amazon would have its regular radio. The window crank on the driver’s door has been replaced with a screw and nut, and the shift knob is missing its gear pattern. The front seat backs recline slightly too far and cannot be adjusted upright.

  • Exterior condition:

    The body has been freshly repainted, and details such as the bumpers and trim are in condition consistent with the quality of the paintwork. The left front door protrudes slightly from the body, and the tailgate is not perfectly aligned. One of the wheels shows some light surface rust.

  • General condition:

    One of Sweden’s most common classic cars in an unusual specification. The current owner has carried out a thorough and well-executed restoration of this Amazon. It is ready to drive, and minor details such as the slightly protruding driver’s door and the non-functioning front seat backrest adjustment can easily be addressed over time.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 2024-05-28
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1968-10-30 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1968-10-30
Senast godkända besiktning: 2024-06-19
Besiktningsbefriad: Ja
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 6

Facts about the model

The Volvo Amazon became an extremely important car for the Swedish police, and for Volvo, these orders also provided valuable input that helped further develop the model.

In the 1950s, Sweden’s police force was mainly organized at the municipal level, but there was also a national police branch that handled, among other things, traffic enforcement outside the cities. In 1958, the national police placed its first order for Volvo Amazons. Some of these cars featured white fenders and roofs, while the hood, trunk, and doors were black, with the word “POLIS” written in large block letters. This high-visibility design was a novelty in Sweden at the time, inspired by American police cars.

The police versions had numerous special features, as well as equipment that would later find its way into the civilian models. For instance, police Amazons were fitted with front disc brakes as early as 1959 — a feature that became standard on the Amazon Sport in 1962.

When all police forces in Sweden were nationalized in 1965, there was a major investment in new vehicles. That year alone, the National Police Board purchased 294 four-door Amazons. The Volvo Amazon also became an export success as a police car. In addition to the Nordic countries, it served in places such as Chile, Greece, Nigeria, Peru, and Switzerland.

Anyone who has watched a British crime drama on television has likely noticed that Volvos often appear as police cars — and that tradition actually began with the Amazon. It was, in fact, the first foreign police car ever used in the United Kingdom. In 1965, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary purchased four Amazon estate cars.

Not all police Amazons were painted patrol cars — many were unmarked vehicles. The Amazon was also the first Swedish police car equipped with a Traffipax camera for speed enforcement.

Even after the introduction of the Volvo 140 series in the autumn of 1966, the Swedish police continued to purchase Amazons in large numbers, partly because it took time to develop custom fittings for police equipment storage.

Over its 14-year production run, the Volvo Amazon went through numerous updates. The first model year, 1957, featured the B16 engine, a three-speed manual gearbox, and a 6-volt electrical system. Later, a four-speed gearbox was introduced, and from 1962 onward, the Amazon gained a 12-volt system and the new B18 engine. For the 1969 model year, it received another new engine — the B20, with a displacement of two liters — and a dual-circuit brake system.

The 1970 model year was the last for the Amazon, and even that version served as a police car. As a result, the Volvo Amazon remained in active duty with the Swedish police until the mid-1970s.

Location and viewing Information

Location: Stockholm

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Fredrik Nyblad
+46 703187844
fredrik.nyblad@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2025-11-13.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
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