2. Volvo Amazon (122S)
Introduced in 1956, the Volvo Amazon (marketed as the 122S) combined elegant three-box styling with solid build quality. Its 1.8-liter B18 engine initially produced 65 horsepower, while later B20 upgrades pushed output toward 85 hp—providing brisk acceleration for a midsize family sedan. The Amazon’s torsion-bar front suspension and live rear axle created a comfortable yet controlled ride.
Engineers pioneered three-point seatbelts as standard equipment in 1959, underscoring Volvo’s safety-first ethos. Enthusiasts appreciated the Amazon’s potential for tuning: fitting twin carburetors or installing higher-compression heads turned it into a surprisingly quick back-road cruiser, cementing its status as a true Swedish classic.