480 Cabrio Coming to the UK!!

Here you can talk about the joy owning a Volvo 480 brings. Non-technical discussions take place here, like what is the difference between an ES and a S version.

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Big Brother
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Post by Big Brother » Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:26 pm

Got my tickets today :hopping:
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lee
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Post by lee » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:48 pm

the wife and i will be attending on saturday. I have just ordered our tickets
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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Post by Roo » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:36 am

I'll be expecting plenty of photo's! :D

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Van
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Post by Van » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:48 pm

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

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Post by Christy » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:02 am

(And imagine the water leak problems!! :cryhard: )
Proud owner of a White 1992 480 Turbo (For Sale!)

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lee
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Post by lee » Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:23 pm

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.
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.

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

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Post by LASEROWL » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:38 pm

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 :wink: ) 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!!!
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- 1991 480ES Paris Edition
- 1991 480 SE Paris Blue Edition 52 Reg
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Post by shimon340 » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:31 am

hi there

the nec classic show on the 11th coincides with the last day of the MPH show

you get free entrance to the MPH show if you buy tickets for the classic show. why that is good is the XC60 concept car will be at the NEC!!!

:)

look forward to meeting some of you there!

S

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Post by Ettore Bugatti » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:55 pm

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.
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Post by coyote1980 » Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:12 pm

Ettore Bugatti wrote:The 480 is an extremely stiff car ...
True, as long as you don't remove the roof, this really is an integral part of the body stiffness.

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.
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Post by lee » Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:51 pm

so are we meeting up proir to going into the nec or what
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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Post by SteveR » Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:06 pm

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)
Steve Robson
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Post by Big Brother » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:00 am

lee wrote:so are we meeting up proir to going into the nec or what
I'm up for that, got anywhere in mind?
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Post by lee » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:22 pm

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
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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Post by Big Brother » Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:09 am

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
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.
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Post by SteveR » Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:54 pm

My tiler has put off till next week so looks like I can make it after all.
Where and when is everyone meeting?
Steve Robson
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Post by shimon340 » Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:02 am

got my tickets today :)

maybe the 480 is old enough now and the design no longer sensitive enough that you could get drawings from the archives at Volvo?

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Post by SteveR » Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:51 pm

My eta is 1145, weather and traffic permitting, in the GT.
Steve Robson
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Post by Big Brother » Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:22 pm

Will be good to see peeps tomorrow, especially some new faces.
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Post by welsh-dragon » Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:37 am

I'll be bringing my Celeb out for a spin as well guys and girls; hoping to be there around start time.
Hopefully see you around the Volvo Cabrio area!!
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