Volvo Amazon wedding car hire

The Volvo Amazon: a Swedish classic for your wedding

Volvo built the Amazon from the mid-1950s until 1970, as a four-door saloon, a two-door and an estate. It has a rounded, American-inspired silhouette, with a small grille, chrome accents and a distinctive line along its flanks. Officially it also carried model numbers such as 121 and 122. The Amazon is known for its reliability and was one of the first cars to have three-point seat belts in the front as standard.

As a wedding car, the Amazon has a understated, warm presence. It is less eye-catching than a big American cruiser or a convertible, but it is elegant and instantly recognisable. Couples who want a classic car with character, without it demanding all the attention, will feel at home with the Amazon.

An Amazon suits a small wedding with family, a town hall in a village or a party in a garden. Many guests recognise it as the car their grandfather or neighbour drove when they were young, which sparks conversation and lovely memories.

The 122S

One well-known version is the 122S. The S stands for the sportier version with a more powerful engine. On a wedding day you notice this mainly in how easily it keeps up with traffic.

Comfort and space in the Amazon

This Amazon is a saloon with four doors and room for five people. The couple sit in the back on a wide bench seat, and in the front there is room for a witness next to the driver.

Getting in with a full dress

The doors open wide and the seats are at a normal height, so the bride can get in upright. Sit down first and then swing both legs in; someone can pass in the skirt. A train fits in the footwell at the back. The roofline is rounded, but high enough for an updo.

Classic engineering

The Amazon is simple and robust, with engineering that is easy to maintain. It has no air conditioning and no power steering, but it drives smoothly at a relaxed pace. On a warm day the windows can be opened. Ask the rental company for its advice on the route and the distance.

The Amazon in photos and on the road

The rounded shapes of the Amazon look best from a three-quarter front angle, with the chrome bumper and the headlights in view. A woodland edge, an old farmhouse or a village square with a church makes a fitting backdrop. A ribbon across the bonnet and a floral arrangement in classic colours suit its modest style.

When comparing, ask about the colour and the interior. Amazons often come in classic shades such as white, cream, red or dark blue, sometimes with a roof in a different colour. Consider what goes well with the bouquet and the couple's outfits.

If you are looking for an even rounder Volvo from the same period, take a look at the Volvo PV544. All the brand's models can be found under Volvo wedding cars, and you can find similar cars among the classic wedding cars.