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AB VOLVO Public Relations Box 382 GOTEBORG 1 SWEDEN


A NEW VERSION IN THE 121/122S SERIES - THE VOLVO 123GT

There have been increased demands during recent years from sporting circles for a factory built "sharper" car in the Volvo 120 series. In order to satisfy these demands, Volvo has further expanded its car programme by producing a GT version of the 120 series. The new car has the designation Volvo 123GT and is fitted with the Volvo B18B engine with an output of 115b.h.p. SAE. In addition to this the car is fitted with a comprehensive range of special equipment.

B18 engine with higher output

The Volvo 123GT is fitted with the B version of the B18 engine. This engine type has been renowned all over the world for its dependability, sturdiness and long life as well as for its fuel consumption.

The engine output of 115 b.h.p. SAE at 6000 r.p.m. and the torque of 15.5 kgm (112 lb. ft.) at 4000 r.p.m. provides the car with further good speed resources. At the same time it is excellent for use in city traffic because of the excellent tractive effort at low engine speed. The torque curve is very flat.

In order to prevent air from getting into the cooling system and causing rust formation and sludge, the engine is fitted with a sealed cooling system. This gives the anti-freeze a longer life. Anti-freeze is already in the system when the car is supplied from the factory.

Sporting power transmission

The gearbox and final drive are the well tested Volvo type. A floor gear lever, four speed synchronized gearbox and electrically controlled overdrive are details well known to earlier Volvo owners. The new type clutch with its diaphragm spring is now standard equipment. The diaphragm spring clutch requires only about 2/3rds of the pedal pressure compared with the earlier type of clutch.

Comprehensive equipment

Since the Volvo 123GT is intended for a sporting public, the car has been fitted with a range of special equipment. Standard equipment includes long-distance and fog lights which are of the quartz iodine type for a maximum light yield. In addition they are fitted with protectors for flying stones. External rear view mirrors on the front mudguards and lighting units in the engine and luggage compartments are other details in this equipment.

Since the 123GT is fitted with extra current-consuming units before it leaves the factory, standard equipment includes an alternator. The greatest advantage of an alternator is that it provides full charging even at low engine speed.

This car has been adapted for hard and sporting driving since it is fitted with more robust shock absorbers and braced tread tyres. Furthermore there is a brake booster and windscreen wiper blades of the high speed type.

The most obvious special features inside the car include a three-spoke sports steering wheel and a revolution counter which is located above the dashboard. The revolution counter is extremely useful for maintaining the correct engine speed on all occasions. The internal equipment also includes a shelf on the top of the dashboard and fittings on the front seats which permit continuously variable backrest inclination right down to a fully reclining position.

In common with the other models, the 123GT is an integral part of the Volvo safety programme being fitted three-point safety belts on the front seats as well as anchorages for three-point belts on the outer ends of the rear seat and a lap belt in the centre.

The Volvo 123GT is available in Red, White and Dark Green.