£13,781 • £10,000 - £12,000
1965 Volvo 121 Amazon Estate (Ruddspeed)
United Kingdom • 9 Nov 2025
Vehicle Details
AI Listing Summary
This is a rare 1965 Volvo 121 Amazon Estate, possibly upgraded by Ruddspeed, adding potential value. Restored in 2003 and recently recommissioned after storage, it presents well with a tidy interior, though its Ruddspeed origins are unconfirmed.
Condition
7
The car was restored in 2003 and presents well, with immaculate chrome and a tidy interior. It has been in dry storage for the past five years and recently recommissioned and serviced. However, the listing mentions slight wear is visible, and minor reconditioning may be required, suggesting it's not in outstanding or excellent condition.
/ 10
Manual
Transmission:
30944
Chassis No:
Odometer:
68,076 miles
JPO 608C
Reg Number:
RHD/LHD:
RHD
Launched at the 1962 Stockholm Motor Show, the 121 Estate (aka 221 or Combi) combined Scandinavian durability with practical design, making it a standout family wagon of its era.
It was ahead of its time and paved the way for Volvo’s leadership in estate cars for decades to follow Designed by Jan Wilsgaard, the Amazon’s clean ponton styling and sturdy steel construction gave it a modern yet classic look.
Its body was surprisingly light for its size, aiding fuel economy and performance In the mid-1960s, Ken Rudd, noted tuner of Alfas, AC and Fords, turned his hand to the Volvo Amazon with over 100 UK cars sent to him by Volvo dealers to be fitted with the legendary Ruddspeed performance and handling conversion.
Only a few of those were estates and we guess that even fewer survive By focusing on allowing the cylinder head to breathe better, along with fitting spicier camshafts, uprated valve springs and tweaked carburation, Ken Rudd was able to build Amazons that really flew.
They a...
Points of note
£600
Lowest Price (Since 2020)
£10,434
Median Price (Since 2020)
£113,602
Highest Price (Since 2020)
World Record
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Previous Sales
Gallery
MOT Information
Expired
Expired on Jan 18 2021
Latest MOT Mileage
67,910 miles
Registration Date
1965-12-20
MOT History
Passed
On Jul 19 2019 with 67,910 miles
There was 1 defect noted.
Advisory:
- Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))
Failed
On Jul 18 2019 with 67,910 miles
There were 3 defects noted.
Major:
- Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))
- Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
Advisory:
- Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))
Failed
On Oct 06 2017 with 67,893 miles
There were 14 defects noted.
Fail:
- Speedometer cannot be illuminated. (6.7.3)
- Electrical wiring inadequately supported main live from battery fouling on brake booster (1.9.2a)
- Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute nearside slow, offside constant (1.4.A.2g)
- Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
- Stop lamp not working both (1.2.1b)
- Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
- Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)
- Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)
- Offside rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)
- rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)
- Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)
Advisory:
- dynamo wires fouling on steering box
- Rear Propshaft universal joint worn
- Rear exhaust mountings missing
MOT Mileage Trend
