We who drive an Amazon know how good they are. It is however nice to hear others say it too. I just obtained a copy of the Dec '96 issue of "Classic Cars" (a UK publication). The article in question is titled "A Question of Sport" and begins on page 97. They took five sport sedans of the late 60s and did a comparative test using the owners of the five cars. The cars were:

- Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina
- BMW 2000tilux
- Rover 2000TC
- Triumph 2.5PI
- Volvo 123GT

....and the owners' choice was:

1st Place Volvo 123GT
2nd Place Alfa
3rd Place Triumph
4th Place Rover
5th Place BMW

The Amazon scored 1st in the following categories:

Character
Ride/Handling
Practicality
Controls
Drivability

In Performance it tied for 2nd.....the Alfa scored 1st in this category.

Jerry
1969 123GT

Interesting how the old Volvo has hit its stride now that it is 40-ish years old. I don't think it would have come out on top of that competition when it was new.
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.

It is and has always been a most excellent car just about all the way
around. Looks like the 1800ES sort of carried on with most of the advantages
of the 122 with those of the later models. Too bad they also had some
disadvantages..... Still would give my eyeteeth for a good one.
Why is it that most of the otherwise best ones seem to have the $%## BW35?
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George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

I have an issue of Classic Car that simply judges the Amazon, and their findings are similar to the issue you mention. They admit that they are tough, reliable, and fun to drive, and highly "under rated" by those who prefer the likes of Rover or Triumph.
The 122 is probably the best car built in Europe during the sixties. At the time it was the perfect compromise of just about everything.
I have a few friends who are British car enthusiasts. They claim that I would be the perfect owner of a British car, but little do they know that as my first car was a light blue 66 122S two door, my heart lies elsewhere.
It's Canada Day up here, and I am feeling effusive. Happy 4th of July to all my American friends and relatives!

Sounds interesting, where did you find the issue?

Mario,

I obtained the magazine on eBay from a seller in the UK. I would suspect back issues might be available from the publisher, but I'm not sure if they'd have them back that far. Try a Google search.

Jerry

I've got an issue of Classic Cars where they put a VW Karmann Ghia against a P1800. I think the Volvo beat the VW in every catagory except fuel economy. It used to really bug me when people would say my P1800S "looks like a Karmann Ghia".
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- Roll out

Yeah, I know what you mean. A lot of people have said that to me and I don't understand it. The 1800 looks great has style and is very 60's-70's Italian/exotic looking where the VW is just plain lumpy.
...my opinion and worth a little less than the time it took to type it.
CU

I get the occasional person opining that my 544 is a Beetle too!
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.

Lol ;)
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Mike!