1968 VOLVO 123 GT

This 1968 Volvo 123 GT is a highly original example of the rare Swedish driver’s car, which comes from single family ownership, and is ready to enjoy. Under the bonnet is the 115bhp 1.8-litre ‘B18-B’ inline-four, which drives the rear wheels via four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The odometer indicates 79,761 miles.

Introduced in 1967, the 123 GT was the sporting model in the marque’s ‘Amazon’ line-up; effectively a 122 coupe fitted with the running gear from the P1800S and enhanced by Hella front spot lamps, a unique ‘GT’ steering wheel and fully reclining Recaro front seats.

First registered in February 1968, this original UK-market 123 GT has been in the same family ownership from new, and was inherited by the vendor two years ago.

The bodywork is in good, solid order, with no reported damage or previous repairs. Given its age and the car’s use, the paintwork is in fair condition, and features various time-earned marks and blemishes, including chips on the leading edge of the bonnet and both flanks, as well as bubbling on the passenger-side wheel arch and door.

In a similar vein, the brightwork presents well and has a light patina, while the seller notes that there are a handful of small chips on the windscreen and tears in the rubber mudflaps. This 123 GT rides on the correct set of 15-inch steel wheels, which are fitted with chromed trims and present very well, with only a few minor marks and blemishes to their surfaces.

Moving inside, the robust black vinyl upholstery is in generally very good shape, and is free of any rips, tears or significant signs of wear. Ahead, the three-spoke steering wheel is also in good order, and there are no splits in the vinyl-wrapped upper dashboard. Overall, the interior trim is very smart, but does show some signs of its age, with slight bubbling on the chromed seat adjusters, deterioration of the glovebox tray and wear and tear to the rubber flooring. While the fuel gauge is not functioning, all of the other interior buttons, switches and electrical items work as they should, and there are no warning lights showing on the dashboard.

This Amazon’s most recent routine maintenance was carried out in April 2021 at an indicated 79,751 miles by Andy Lee R&D, who changed the engine oil and oil filter, as well as replacing the front brake pistons before bleeding the brake system and overhauling the master cylinder. During the seller’s ownership the rear axle straps have also been replaced and the side lights and washer jets have been repaired. Furthermore, in 2015, the rear wheel cylinders were replaced, new copper brake pipes were fitted, and the front and rear brake flexis were also renewed.

Although it is exempt due to its age, the car’s last MOT test was conducted on 22 April 2021 at an indicated 79,761 miles, which it passed without a single issue or advisory notice.

While this classic Volvo’s service history is mostly unrecorded, it will be accompanied by a short log of maintenance carried out by its previous owner from 2004 to 2019, as well as a service manual and instruction booklet for the similar 121 and 122S models, various spare parts and a set of original Volvo spotlight covers.

While the exact number of Volvo 123 GTs produced is unknown, it is estimated that only 1,500 examples of this characterful coupe were built between 1967 and 1970, making it an exceptionally rare model in the marque’s back catalogue. Presented in highly original condition and maintained to a good standard, this stylish Swede is ready to delight on the open road as a classic weekend cruiser, and could even form the basis for an exciting motorsport upgrade.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.