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1965
Volvo 122S Saloon,
FIA Appendix 'K' Papers, RAC MSA rally logbook
Registration Number: CNA 161C
Chassis Number: 112618
Engine Number: 231708
Introduced in March 1958, the 122S was a more sporting variant
of Volvo's highly successful 120- series 'Amazon' range. Built
around a high grade Swedish steel fabricated monocoque fitted
with independent coil and wishbone front suspension and a
panhard rod located rear axle, the 122S was powered by a twin SU
carburettor fed B18D four-cylinder engine. Quickly acquiring a
reputation for toughness, longevity and reliability, the 122S in
two-door guise proved a formidable competitor on both rally
stages and racetracks alike. In 1963, Volvo 122S cars won the
European Rally Championship, came second in the European Touring
Car Championship and took first in class at the 6-hour and
12-hour Nurburgring endurance races (an Amazon would also go on
to win the 1965 RAC European Touring Car Championship).
As if to continue this heritage, CNA 161C was reincarnated by
fifth owner Wally Wright as a historic rally car. Treated to an
engine rebuild, lowered suspension, overhauled brakes, new
exhaust, refurbished ENV differential and £3,126.43 rewire, it
undertook events such as the Monte Carlo Challenge and the Lands
End to John O'Groats Le Jog run (which it briefly lead) during
the 1996 / 1997 seasons.
Inactive
for 1998, the Volvo began the next phase of its competitive
career the following year in the hands of new owner Joel Wykeham.
A long time sports and saloon car competitor, Wykeham saw CNA
161C as an ideal candidate for historic racing on the basis that
it was (a) unusual enough to intrigue event organisers, (b)
tough enough to withstand over enthusiastic driving, (c)
comparatively family-friendly and (d) blessed with a boot big
enough to swallow a meaningful quantity of tools / spares. Thus,
he set about transforming the Amazon into a replica of the
unique Ruddspeed tuned Sussex Racing Team car that had been
campaigned in various European Touring Car Championship events
during the 1964-1966 seasons.
Thoroughly
reworked CNA 161C emerged for the 2000 season boasting an
impressive specification.
Equipped with IPD (Portland, Oregon) front and rear
anti-roll bars, Neil Satur race springs, Swedish import
race-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, the suspension also
benefited from reinforced front wishbones, subframe and trailing
arms. Upgraded with an OJ Rallye (USA) dual circuit master
cylinder conversion and Summit bias adjuster, the braking system
also received new rear drums with Mintex linings and fresh pads
for the front discs.
Assembled by Andrew Thorogood from parts supplied by Unitek
(Sweden), its 1822cc engine incorporated Mahle pistons (+
0.040"), a 296 phase-4 camshaft with lightweight followers,
Bofor rods and baffled sump. Other goodies included steel timing
gears, B23 oil seal conversion, lightened flywheel, fabricated
race spec pulley, B20 type pump and oil cooler and competition
manifold. The presence of 'J'-type overdrive gave the late type
M410 gearbox seven forward ratios. While, the Pole Classics
prepared rear axle housed a Quaife LSD, uprated halfshafts and
custom seals.
The two-door bodyshell was lightened and strengthened
with a full FIA Safety Devices roll cage and fitted with a race
seat, harnesses and Mountney wheel etc.
A
regular entrant in the Top Hat endurance historic saloon series,
it also made two appearances in the FIA European Historic
Touring Car Championship (winning its TC14 class at Donington in
July 2000). Invited to compete for the St Mary's Trophy at both
the 2000 and 2001 Goodwood Revival Meetings, its sixteenth place
in 2000 behind the Mercedes-Benz 300SE of Stewart Imber was
improved on in 2001 when it came eighth behind a Mini Cooper S
but ahead of a Jaguar MKVII trio.
Not
run in anger for the last few years, it has recently been gone
through by SRG Motorsport. In addition to recalibrating the
suspension, re-jetting the carburettors and resetting the timing
(the latter two tasks being done with the aid of a rolling
road), CNA 161C has been lightened to its homologated weight and
fitted with a much freer breathing exhaust system. Informally
shaken down by the likes of Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams and Martin
Thomas, it is said to be some "twenty per cent better"
in all respects. Thought to have performance roughly comparable
to a mid-budget Lotus Cortina, the Amazon may not be a potential
race winner but it does represent a very inexpensive
introduction to a whole host of historic racing/rallying and
possibly another Goodwood entry (invitation permitting) in 2005.
Offered for sale with V5 registration document, RAC MSA rally
logbook, FIA papers, history file and rally spares package (sump
guard, spotlights, interior lights and different springs etc).
Please note that information as to the mechanical specification
of this car has been taken from its history file and as such it
has not been verified.
This 122S was offered at Auction at www.Cheffins.co.uk
in June 2004
Estimate:
£9,000 - £11,000 |
