Bohdan and Marian Antoniw, both in their seventies, have purchased a new electric Volvo EC40, trading in their 1965 Volvo Amazon 122S, which they had owned since December 1980. The significant age gap between the trade-in vehicle and the new purchase is believed to be one of the largest recorded in Britain.
The Antoniws' classic Amazon, purchased for £475 in 1980, is nearly 100 times less valuable than their new EC40, which cost £45,995. The 1965 model was notable for being one of the first production cars to feature three-point seatbelts, a technology that Volvo has advanced with its latest restraint system in the new EC40, which electronically adjusts pressure during a crash based on passenger size and weight.
After owning the Amazon for 46 years, during which it played a role in significant family events such as bringing their children home from the hospital and appearing on their wedding day, the couple decided it was time to transition to electric vehicles. The desire to drive across Europe to Berlin, coupled with the appeal of modern amenities like air conditioning, navigation, and comfortable seating, prompted the switch.
The couple's 1965 Volvo Amazon 122S, produced between 1958 and 1970, remains in good mechanical condition and recently passed its MOT. Despite being over 40 years old, making an MOT certificate unnecessary for road use, the car's condition reflects its meticulous care.
Volvo Cars UK confirmed it purchased the vintage Amazon as part of the trade-in. While the exact value given to the couple was not disclosed, experts at Hagerty UK estimate a 1965 Amazon 122S in excellent condition to be worth around £12,300, with pristine examples potentially reaching £21,200—still less than half the price of the new electric vehicle. Volvo Cars UK plans to restore the Antoniws' Amazon and add it to its heritage fleet. Fewer than 200 Volvo Amazon 122S models are believed to still be on the road in the UK.
The Antoniws' decision aligns with a broader trend in the UK, where June saw the highest share of electric vehicle (EV) sales in a single month, with battery-electric models accounting for three in ten new car deliveries. This increase in EV adoption is attributed to factors including higher fuel costs, greater availability of longer-range EVs, manufacturer discounts, and government grants. The EC40, which has a claimed battery range of up to 336 miles, became available in showrooms in April 2024.