The 480 turns 30...

[David]

First time I ever saw any mention of the 480 on any kind of official Volvo blurb in recent times:

https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/ ... turning-30

Hard to believe its a thirty year old design. What are peoples first memories of the 480 back in the day?

[Jay-Kay-Em]

"produced a power of 109 hp thanks to the help of catalytic converters"

Erm, change the word 'help' to 'detriment' more like!

Hopefully this marks the start of some proper classic car recognition for the 480.

Thanks for sharing the article.

[doingitsideways]

Wow.

Really surprised at this.

Volvo seemed to wash their hands of the 480 as soon as they could, for example dropping absolutely all parts from their systems as soon as the 10 year since replacement date passed.
Also, when they launched the C30 they harped on about the P1800es' influence, without a single word about the 480.

Fair play, hopefully they finally recognise what a significant car it actually was for the company.

[Alan 480]

Wow.

Also, when they launched the C30 they harped on about the P1800es' influence, without a single word about the 480.
.

and C30 dropped after a much shorter production run (in years)

[dcwalker]

It is good to see this and really surprising. Volvo always treat the 480 as the black sheep of the family that they try to pretend never existed, so to see not only reference to it but positive reference to it makes a really nice change!

David

[Ariaboy88]

Last week I purchased my first 480

A 1989 480es and the features outstrip any newer car I have had ( says more about my run of cars more than anything)

I love the little thing and once a few little niggles are sorted, mostly interior trim wise I may add I hope to have this car for years to come!

Arches were replaced by previous owner so one less thing to worry about for my ownership of it.

I will be hitting up the forum one the more important things are addressed like cambelt and general mechanical maintenance to bring the old girl back up to code

Viva la 480. The compliments I have had in the first week of ownership only spur me on to bring her back to her former glory

All the best fellow 480 owners

Best regards

Ariaboy

[jamescarruthers]

Wish Volvo would take Gingerheed's 1986 Launch Car off him restoration! How would we get in touch with them to even put this idea?‎

Ariaboy: did you get that light blue metallic ES from Grandson?‎

[brinkie]

Hard to believe its a thirty year old design. What are peoples first memories of the 480 back in the day?

I was in school in 1987, and the mother of one of my schoolmates was driving a black 480 ES. His dad made a shitload of money as a currency trader and drove a luxury Volvo estate, can't remember which one, probably 740 or 760. Rich family, three spoiled kids, a Golden Retriever, and a load of game computers (which generated far more interest for me than Volvo's back then )
Ten years later, one of my mates was driving a 1988 480 ES. He got the car from his dad, who ran a Volvo dealership. Gradually, the car was developing rust, leaks and electronic niggles and after some years he traded it in for a full-option V40. Otherwise very cool design, cool interior, cool gadgets (if they worked) and great to drive. The car went to another friend of mine who tried to rectify the faults but the car eventually gave in on the rust.
Back then, they were way too expensive to buy and way too expensive to maintain for me.
So there you are. The 480, a cool car, which can only be afforded if your dad or your husband pays for it.