480 Cabrio Coming to the UK!!
Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel
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A reason why a convertible 480 never went on sale except for being plain ugly (just my pov) is that the torsion rigidity of the 480 is not so good. There's to much movement in the body even on a closed car. Cutting the roof just would be to much. There's no way to compensate without adding an extra ton of weight.
after over 10 years parted with the 1995 Volvo 480 ES 2.0
I am totally unaware to where you have come up with such crap about the rigidity of the 480. I have come across many 480 in my time in various states. But i have never in all my time come across a closed 480 with a body rigidity problems.A reason why a convertible 480 never went on sale except for being plain ugly (just my pov) is that the torsion rigidity of the 480 is not so good. There's to much movement in the body even on a closed car. Cutting the roof just would be to much. There's no way to compensate without adding an extra ton of weight.
As a test on the body to a 480 i have conducted the following non scientific test:
i took a 1986 es and removed the engine, gearbox and subframe. I then removed the front wings, bumper, doors and the front panel across the front of the car housing the radiator. I then jacked the car up at an angle and refitted the doors to which there was no issues. Doors removed again. The roof was then completely removed by myself and laserowl and i can confirm there was minimal flax in the car. The windscreen wasn't even cracked. Then as a final test the car was once again jacked up at various angles to which the flex in the car was minimal. It did not bend in the middle as expected.
So in my research there is no rigidity issues in the 480 closed body
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
- LASEROWL
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Yep i can vouch for lee's comments above.
We both expected the car to fold in half but nope, so with a little more strengthening a road worthy car with all the extras like front end, engine etc should actually prove to be even more ridged and stable.
Looking forward to seeing how Volvo actually did it, it can (and will be done ) but how practicle it will be remains to be seen.
We both expected the car to fold in half but nope, so with a little more strengthening a road worthy car with all the extras like front end, engine etc should actually prove to be even more ridged and stable.
Looking forward to seeing how Volvo actually did it, it can (and will be done ) but how practicle it will be remains to be seen.
1994 480ES 2.0l White.....Mechanically restored,Full Hausser Kit fitted..possibly for sale. NOW SOLD..on route to Hungary for T4 transplant!!!
2012 Fiat 500 Twin Air.....Italian style.
Previous - 1992 480ES 1.7l Lavendel Metallic
- 1991 480ES Paris Edition
- 1991 480 SE Paris Blue Edition 52 Reg
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http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/v186/LASEROWL/
2012 Fiat 500 Twin Air.....Italian style.
Previous - 1992 480ES 1.7l Lavendel Metallic
- 1991 480ES Paris Edition
- 1991 480 SE Paris Blue Edition 52 Reg
- 1998 S80 SE T6...272BHP
http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/v186/LASEROWL/
- Ettore Bugatti
- 480 Is my middle name
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The 480 is an extremely stiff car because of two reasons:
-The body has small openings (only two doors and a tailgate).
-The windows are glued to the body (also the reason why the 480 had never opening rear side windows).
The good stiffness of the 480 help it to pass the strict American crash test with flying colours. Where a speed of 56kmh was needed the 480 could pass the test even with 64kmh. An amazing fact if you know what the increase in forces are due of that higher speed.
On the other hand the 440 and 460 are as flexible as a piece of paper. Their stiffness is only 50% of the 480.
-The body has small openings (only two doors and a tailgate).
-The windows are glued to the body (also the reason why the 480 had never opening rear side windows).
The good stiffness of the 480 help it to pass the strict American crash test with flying colours. Where a speed of 56kmh was needed the 480 could pass the test even with 64kmh. An amazing fact if you know what the increase in forces are due of that higher speed.
On the other hand the 440 and 460 are as flexible as a piece of paper. Their stiffness is only 50% of the 480.
Volvo 480 ES, chassis 283, dec 1999-aug 2005
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
- coyote1980
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True, as long as you don't remove the roof, this really is an integral part of the body stiffness.Ettore Bugatti wrote:The 480 is an extremely stiff car ...
If you put the car on axes-supports and cut away the roof you will immediately see the door moving due to chassis movement.
Another important aspect in building a Cabrio out of a 480 is that you have to prevent the front side of the car snapping backward over the line where the drivers feet are, causing the front windscreen to decapitate the people in the front.
- SteveR
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I have read the previous and now it looks like I may not be there on Sunday - unfortunately Saturday was a non starter but please give me a mobile number just in case.
Can someone get some pics of the following please:
Underneath the doors to check for stiffening members.
If there is a roll bar then where it attaches to the floor, what the roll bar is comprised ie two tubes warpped in a material, the ends of the doors at the door locks, teh rear corners for the back panel, the tunnel under the dash, behind the rear seats - is there a diaphragm going across the car.
These are all areas where I think special attention needs to be paid, perhaps a roll bar a la stag may be the answer to stiffness as I have some ideas in case stiffness becomes an issue. (No adverse dirt track mind comments you lot)
Can someone get some pics of the following please:
Underneath the doors to check for stiffening members.
If there is a roll bar then where it attaches to the floor, what the roll bar is comprised ie two tubes warpped in a material, the ends of the doors at the door locks, teh rear corners for the back panel, the tunnel under the dash, behind the rear seats - is there a diaphragm going across the car.
These are all areas where I think special attention needs to be paid, perhaps a roll bar a la stag may be the answer to stiffness as I have some ideas in case stiffness becomes an issue. (No adverse dirt track mind comments you lot)
Steve Robson
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This was my K Reg 2L LtdEdn TwoTone - now sold
At Nurburgring (pic Suddy)
No longer a 480 owner
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This was my K Reg 2L LtdEdn TwoTone - now sold
At Nurburgring (pic Suddy)
No longer a 480 owner
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- Big Brother
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Ah sorry Lee I've just seen the missed call on my phone, Will text you later because I don't want to call you while you are driving.lee wrote:i will already be down in the birmingham massive so i have a little more flex. What time are you hoping to get down for.
VBB i tried to ring you to see what time you were attending
2001 V70
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- welsh-dragon
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