Overview

Racing spec-version of the 122S two-door produced by the Volvo dealership in Frankfurt, Germany, and offered from 1962. Aimed at competition drivers, the 122SR had a more powerful engine and uprated handling, and cost 50% more than the standard 122S.

Although the 122SR designation did not last long, the dealer carried on producing tuned 122 special editions for several more years, albeit without the limited-slip diff and bucket seats (see below).

Variation from main model

The 122SR had stiffer springs, Koni dampers, a Dana Spicer limited-slip differential and optional servo brakes. The engine was mildly uprated, with a 9.5:1 compression ration, a B18B cam, composite big-end bearings and an external oil filter and oil cooler.

Externally, it had twin spotlamps and a Plexiglas rear window, and, internally, there was a rev counter, Speed Pilot, fire extinguisher and interior searchlight, and thinly padded bucket seats were an option.

Later special editions had uprated tyres (165-section radial, on 4.5-inch rims), brakes and clutch and, for the engine, bigger valves, larger inlets, a hotter cam, special head, and 11.1 compression ratio (compared to the 10.1 of the 123GT of the time).

Production statistics

About 1000 are believe to have been produced.

Performance statstics

122SR: 90bhp at 5,500rpm. 104.7lb ft torque at 3,500rpm.

Special edition: 128bhp at 6,000rpm. 115.6lb ft at 4,300rpm. Top speed 115mph, 0-100kmh (0-62) 10.5 seconds.

Other info

• Holder of racing licences could get between a 10% and 15% discount
  
• In Volvo P120: The Amazon Series (see resources), German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport is quoted (from issue 19, 1963) as writing: "In fast driving, you are continually aware of the limited-slip feature because it locks the action of the differential every time you try to drift through a bend. When this lock-up occurs in mid-bend it can be mildly irritating to the driver. For this reason it is better to enter bends fast in order to bring the differential's locking action into play early on. This technique produces a rather clumsy but ultimately effective style of driving."