The Mzcalero

1965 Volvo Amazon 122S Rally Car

a Volvo Named Mzcalero

The Volvo Amazon has been a much-loved car around the world since its debut in 1956. Immediately the Volvo works team and privateers set about modifying the car to participate in rallies across Europe. As a rally car, it came into its own in 1962 with the introduction of the 1.8 liter B18 engine. The performance was improved with the 2.0 liter B20 "red block" engine.

The Volvo Amazon proved to be a successful rally car with its pace, reliability, and predictable handling producing top results in rallies such as the Rally Monte Carlo and the Acropolis Rally. After the death of two service members at the 1965 Acropolis Rally, Volvo officially withdrew from motorsport. Over the years, the Volvo Amazon has remained a fixture in historic rallying across the world.

We didn't go looking for our Amazon. It found us. While driving at Brian Redman's Targa 66, a friend of the car's owner noticed we were having a good time in a '67 Amazon we had rented from Vintage Racing Services, VRS. In a vintage racing paddock, everyone is either talking about the car they want to buy or the car they want to sell. It was a lucky connection for us.

Our 1965 Volvo Amazon 122S rally car was purpose-built to race the Carrera Panamericana. It ran and finished in 2011. We figured why begin from scratch when we can buy an already prepared rally car. We had the Amazon looked over and decided to buy it. The car was then brought up to VRS in Stratford, Connecticut.

VRS has been preparing and supporting successful Carrera cars since the race was revived in 1988. Tim Ritchie, director of VRS, and Volvo expert, went over the car with a fine-tooth comb. The Amazon had good bones, but it needed some work. So began our extended education in rally cars.

The sweet sound of a Volvo B20 rally tuned engine.

Building Our Rally Car

By the time we arrived at the 2018 Carrera, there wasn't a part on the Volvo we hadn't modified or replaced. We had also built up a stock of spare parts we hoped would not be necessary. At the Carrera, you never know what could happen. Good preparation, a good spares kit, and a good crew will keep you in the race.

We found a few gremlins in the car that first year, namely the gearbox and clutch, which needed to be swapped out with our spares. Overall the car performed well, and we finished strong. Finishing was our goal, and the Amazon got us to the line.

After the 2018 race, the Amazon acquired its name, the Mzcalero. Tim had put a sticker by the gas cap that said: "I Love Mezcal." Somewhere in the race, we lost our license plate. The crew made us a joke replacement out of a Dos Equis box. After the race, Alberto, a member of our crew, as promised, sent Chris several fake NY plates, one of which was the Mezcalero. Chris loved the idea, so when it came time to get a legal replacement, he registered the Amazon with a New York State license plate, Mzcalero.

The Mzcalero has now successfully completed three Carreras and finished with a class podium, a stage win, and two speed-section wins. Thanks to Vintage Racing Services, the Mzcalero is a fast and reliable rally car. Of course, that doesn't mean it can't be better. We are always looking for ways to improve.