Volvo 144 'The Camel', 1970
Volvo 140 Series
Volvo 140 Series•
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Chassis No.: 164698
Engine No.: 1892572
Registration: EPV 86H
The Volvo 140 Series was manufactured from 1966 to 1974 in two and four-door models.
The 144 series, which followed the Amazon, was the first Volvo to use a tri-digit nomenclature, indicating series, number of cylinders and number of doors. Thus, a 144 was a first series, four cylinder, four-door saloon and was the first Volvo to feature a boxier styling. The car's basic shape would survive into the 1990s as the 200 series. Mechanically, the car used many of the same drivetrain components as the Amazon, but also showcased many improvements, including disc brakes on all four wheels.
This 1970 registered Volvo 144 was turned into a rally car in 2010 by Amazon Cars of Brundish, Suffolk by proprietor Rob Henchoz for his own use in the 2012 London to Cape Town World Cup Rally in which it finished a very creditable 6th overall. The car was then reconditioned by Amazon and resold, the new owner entered her in the 2013 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge rally where it finished 11th overall. The Volvo was again reconditioned by Amazon and sold to a competitor in the 2016 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge where it was used as a replacement car for the European leg of the route, again finishing without any trouble. Reconditioned for a third time by Amazon and stored until a service was carried out recently, this competitive Volvo is ready to once again compete around the globe.
To be expected of such a reliable car, this Volvo has a highly strengthened shell with uprated suspension and brakes, underbody protection, ‘Safari’ bull bar and a roll cage. All the fuel and brake lines run within the body of the car and she is also fitted with twin aluminium foam-filled fuel tanks located above the rear axle for safety and stability reasons. The two litre B20 engine was rebuilt by Amazon and uprated some 5,000 miles ago with many new parts including lightened flywheel, ceramic-coated free flow exhaust system, a four-speed gearbox and a limited slip differential.
Many original and well thought out modifications have been carried out to make ‘on rally’ maintenance easier, for example, a built-in air compressor has been fitted, a document safe and twin fuel pumps. The net result in of all this work is a Volvo 144 that is eligible to compete in a number of significant rallies around the world, the vendor has stated he would be happy to advise any new owner in how best to achieve this.
