1968 Volvo 123GT

This truly remarkable car was delivered new to the UK in 1968 and remained in the same family ownership for the next half century. 

It has a 4-speed gearbox with a fully functional electric overdrive. 

It is a matching numbers car and has never been used for rallying.

The current vendor has owned the car since May ’23, when he purchased it from a large collection. 

Today, the mileage is 82,000. 

In 2021 it was 79,761 and, nearly 20 years before then, it was 79,734.

So, as you have no doubt discerned, it’s been leading a very quiet life over at least the last two decades and the vendor has since done a lot of the work required to get it back into first-class mechanical and dynamic order.

The fact that he drove the car for 3 hours to bring it to our Oxfordshire HQ should tell you all you need to know about his success in achieving that commendable objective.

The car starts, goes, stops and behaves very impressively and, although there are a few cosmetic issues to address here and there, it is in very decent overall condition. 

It is both a pleasure to drive and a lasting testament to the engineering integrity and vault-like build quality with which these epic cars left the production line at Göteborg.

Among much other work carried out recently are the following highlights.

• Braking system overhauled - new genuine Lockheed servo (original servo comes with the car): brand new brake callipers: new discs: Mintex performance pads: new shoes and all pins, clips, springs, etc. 
• New clutch
• New wheel bearings all around
• New rocker cover and sump gaskets
• New suspension - lower Bilstein shocks all-around with progressive rate springs (from Rob at Amazon Cars) to improve handling and stance
• New Kumho tyres
• New windscreen rubber
• Replaced rusty fender apron on driver’s side
• New performance air filters
• Simons sports exhaust system
• Differential rebuilt

The seller adds: "I changed the rear main seal on the engine, as well as the front main seal, which is quite a big job."

In short, it’s all sorted, fettled and ready to rumble, whether you have its name down for a spot of gentle Sunday afternoon pottering to the Dog & Duck or, perhaps, you’ve got your heart set on something a bit more competitive and rally-like – like some of its illustrious forbears.

Aside from a couple of minor indentations on the driver’s door, the bodywork on this fine car is reassuringly free of any significant dinks, dents or creases.

Despite various stickers and decals that might suggest otherwise, this car has never been rallied through the night on a Scandiwegian forest stage by people called Tommi or Hannu, and the panels, panel gaps and shut-lines reflect that fact.

The paintwork is being pretty honest in representing the car’s age and mileage and, consequently, there are scratches, paint chips and scuffs scattered fairly randomly around the car, and the paint on the roof, boot lid, rear wings and bonnet has a rather pitted and orange-peel-like look to it.

We also spotted a little bubbling on the passenger door and the n/s/r wheel-arch.

Apart from some scuffing and marks on the outer rims, the wheels look decent and the chromed hub caps are shiny and bright.

The matching Kumho tyres are new and look it.

Even the Volvo mudflaps are holding up well.

The chrome elsewhere is in good order, with only the lightest foxing visible in few places on the bumpers.

The car’s lights, lenses, badging and exterior fixtures and fittings are all broadly beyond reproach. 

The interior oozes period authenticity and originality from every pore of its black vinyl upholstery.

Built to the same no-compromise, over-engineered tolerances as the rest of it, everything is solid, sound and looks like it could probably survive a bush fire, immersion in a lake, or a sustained artillery bombardment.

The rear seats, as ever, don’t look as if they’ve done much more than support the weight of a Panama hat or a bag of shopping.

The front seats are much the same, save for a short rip to the vinyl at the base of the outer bolster on the driver’s seat squab.

A skilled vinyl-whisperer may well be able to effect an acceptable repair.

The red painted metal dashboard and door cappings are fine, as is the padded vinyl trim above the dashboard.

The door cards are following the same script in terms of condition and preservation. 

So, too is the headlining, although it could do with being shown some soap, water and elbow grease.

The boot is clean and intact and, underneath the rubber mats, there’s no sign of any rust or other unwanted phenomena that we can see. 

The steering wheel, other controls, dials, switches, levers and buttons are intact and, as far as we’re aware, fully functional.

Everything in the engine bay is clean, dry, orderly, present and correct.

The car’s undersides look as rugged and untroubled by use or the passage of time as the rest of it.

Nothing we’ve seen has given us any reason to tut, frown, ruefully stroke our chins or otherwise throw any shade on the car’s structural integrity or mechanical honesty. 

The car comes with a healthily plump history file containing all sorts of original brochures and manuals, plus a host of bills, invoices and receipts attesting to both recent work and jobs undertaken over the course of the car’s long history.

It also comes with sundry spare parts and other bits and pieces. 

It comes with a recent, clear HPI report, a V5C, full sets of keys, various old MoT certificates, and a current MoT certificate – with no advisories whatsoever – that’s valid until 12th June 2026.

There’s some irony in the fact that this sporty, rally-proven model helped introduce the seat belt. 

In so doing, it established the brand’s enduring ‘safety-first’ credentials for decades to come and, arguably, killed-off its nascent market for sporty, rally-proven models for an equally long period of time.

Let’s be thankful, then, for the brilliant oddity that is the 123GT.

This example has over half a century of ownership within one family and comes with all the history and invoices you might expect.

While being largely very original and authentic, the recent upgrades to the suspension, brakes and exhaust have succeeded in making the car even more rewarding to drive without compromising the ride quality or sacrificing useability.

It really is a very special thing and we like it a great deal.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £16,000 - £21,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.