Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

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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retrokid1983
480 Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:09 pm
Location: Herefordshire

Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by retrokid1983 » Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:07 pm

I thought it was about time I registered on the forum. Some of you will have seen my posts on the Facebook group or my Instagram @retrokid1983.

I come from a background of Fiat X1/9s, but my Dad’s love has always been with Volvo, most importantly, the 480.

He bought his first black 480 back in 1995, a naturally aspirated 1.7 ES and thoroughly loved it. Unfortunately whilst in for a service at the local dealer, the salesman approached him with the deal of a lifetime on an ex demonstrator 440 1.8 and he went for it. Three months after the purchase, he thoroughly regretted trading in his 480.

The hunt was on to swap back to a 480 and find the best example out there. It was 1998, we had just upgraded our computer to one that was able to go on the Internet (I can still hear the sound of the 56k dial up modem) and I was determined to locate one for him, even if it meant travelling afar. We tried a GT that had been traded at a Toyota Dealership where my Sister worked, but the Master Tech (now brother-in-law) inspected it under his ramp and pointed out that there was a fair bit of work to do.

We then located N231PNH down at Lex Volvo in Reading and a deposit was placed to hold prior to the weekend. Dad and I went down to view (I was just 14 so loved the trip) and we ended up completing the deal, much to the disappointment of two other customers who had requested to buy the car if it fell through. At 3 years old and 10,000 miles, the 480 Celebration was a gleaming beauty. Dad was overjoyed!

Fast forward twenty years and 230,000 miles to 2018, Dad still owned the car and it had done him proud. We even made it to a Volvo day at Rockingham race track!

With age and miles comes wear and tear. I’d just replaced the gearbox and sub-frame and we continued to keep her on the road. Sadly whilst driving locally, Dad was coming out of a bend and confronted with a pile of bricks that had fallen off a lorry; oncoming traffic left him no option but to go over them. Two buckled wheels and a broken rear trailing arm (detached from the chassis) was what resulted. We replaced the wheels but the detached arm revealed that welding work was required. At that point I hadn’t the time to complete it so we reluctantly agreed it was time to sell. Through Facebook the car was sold and trailered down to Devon where the buyer completed the welding and put it through an MOT.

My Dad was pretty miserable about letting the 480 go and it was a decision that I regretted immensely. Dad had kept a receipt for everything since 1998 – it was one sentimental machine!

March 2020 came and the very car appeared with no reserve on Ebay for a final time with just a week’s MOT. I had to get it!
Days later I was down on the train to Devon to bring the 480 back to where she belonged. After over a year of it being absent from us, I was overjoyed to see it arrive around the corner from the station to pick me up. I drove her back to Herefordshire without a breakdown and got a few thumbs up on the motorway from admiring passers-by. Dad was very emotional to see it again. We agreed it would be a joint venture to sort it out and keep it in the family.

The work begins. Sticking brakes, rotten exhaust, soaking interior, lights not working, broken front spring and just about everything else to do service wise. It may seem a fair amount of work to do but one of the main plus points of this car is the fact that we know it. It’s never had filler in the arches!

The plan is to get it mechanically sound for springtime, get a year's use out of it and then go further with the bodywork next year.

So far I’ve replaced the exhaust (Ebay part. I’ve had to lengthen it as it is a poor fit but it still knocks upon acceleration/deceleration. I’m thinking the gas strut engine mount is worn, allowing the engine to rock back and forth).

The nuts on the manifold to the exhaust were completely stuck. I decided to remove the manifold rather than snap them. With a thin cutting disc the nuts were slit and the threads saved. I also made a heat shield for the rear silencer to save cooking the rear boot floor.

I’ve replaced the broken Volvo radio with a period correct Alpine unit. I’ve also replaced the faulty electric aerial.

I’ve stripped out the front suspension struts, dismantled, de-rusted and welded up the bottom spring perches. The dampers were replaced a few years back and showed no signs of leaks or weak resistance. New springs have been fitted with new top mounts.

I’ve dismantled the front brakes, popped the pistons out of the calipers and dismantled the carriers. All parts have been de-rusted using a bucket of oxcilic acid. They have been repainted and new pistons, seals and slides have been fitted. I’ve also made a new copper brake pipe to replace the rusted one on the n/s/f.

Loads more to do but I will keep an update on progress as I go. There are plenty of images of it on my Instagram project page.

Parts that I need at present:
Brake disc splash guards
Driver’s door side pocket (Ours has a big crack in it).

Any advice/hints/tips/leads greatly appreciated.

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This must have been 1995/1996. Excuse my red jeans!


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Cheers – Rob and his Dad, Rob!
Last edited by retrokid1983 on Sat Feb 13, 2021 2:11 pm, edited 11 times in total.

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Jay-Kay-Em
480 Rookie
Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Huntingdon
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Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:54 pm

What a fabulous story. Thanks for putting it on here for us non-facebookers.

Brake disc shields are available new (amazingly) if you play about with google and part numbers - but with shocking prices for what is bent tin!

Here's to many more years on the road. You can't put a price on that sentimental value.
Jay-Kay-Em
-------------------------------------
Click here for My 480 Turbo Diary
Click here for My Cars

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2464
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by jifflemon » Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:09 pm

Brake disc shields are available from eNay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Splash-panel ... 890.l49292

(Although they aren’t shipping to U.K. just yet - think that will change soon, was just pre brexit they stopped)

Or skandix, who are shipping to the U.K. (they use dhl)

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by MisterH » Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:43 pm

Hi Rob,


First off that is an absolutely wonderful story! I am so glad you were able to get the car back and restore it!

In regards to the exhaust knocking, if it is off the shelf it will need to be modified on the rear mounting bar, and I had to bend it to make it fit the rubber mount and now it doesn't make a fuss
Here I explain in more detail:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=36287&p=222571&hil ... ng#p222571

Glad to have you aboard! :hopping:
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

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dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by dragonflyjewels » Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:49 pm

Geat story - welcome to the club ! Keep us updated on progress. Hope to see you at a meet when they are allowed again.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by dcwalker » Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:16 am

Fantastic story and welcome!

Look forward to reading more about your 480 and seeing some pics...

Hope to meet you and the car at a mini-meet soon - whenever "soon" might be with the current Covid situation!

You'll find this place both friendly and helpful, so never be afraid to ask!

All the best

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

retrokid1983
480 Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:09 pm
Location: Herefordshire

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by retrokid1983 » Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:47 pm

Thank you for the warm welcome. There are a lot of pictures in the bottom link of my first post.

I've located a set of unused second hand splash guards in the UK, so that's a bonus.

If anyone is braking a red Celebration or GT, please let me know. I could do with a replacement rear bumper.

Yes, when the world gets back to normal both of us will attend some of the meets I'm sure. Are there any members in Herefordshire?

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dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:13 pm

The red used on the GT is not quite the same as the Celebration - it has the same colour code but a different manufacturer code. We've had one of each at a meeting and could see the difference in colour - slightly more orange in the GT colour if I remember correctly. There were also ES models in Flame Red but I don't know which manufacturer they used for those, it may even have been a date related change. If you want a good colour match, check the final digit after the dash is the same on the donor car.
Good luck with the hunt !
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

Norm57
Can tell where the 480 was built
Posts: 362
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:08 pm
Location: Knaresborough

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by Norm57 » Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:59 pm

Welcome Rob, have followed your posts with interest on Facebook. You will find the forum a very friendly and extremely helpful place. Good luck with the family wedge.

retrokid1983
480 Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:09 pm
Location: Herefordshire

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by retrokid1983 » Tue Feb 02, 2021 6:55 pm

Font brakes are now complete. Acid cleaned, new pistons, seals, slides, painted, new brake pipe, new disc guard, all lubricated, new pads and discs, new fluid.

Now on to the rears.

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Last edited by retrokid1983 on Sat Feb 13, 2021 2:12 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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edie_fox
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Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by edie_fox » Wed Feb 03, 2021 11:15 am

Lovely to see it all clean, isn't it!

Did you give up on splash panels or did you manage to get any to use in the end? (is that the black peeking over the disc...I can't tell!) I got nothing back at all from my mechanic in the end to be able to pass on!

I bet your dad is looking forward to summer in his celeb. :D Good luck with the rest.

retrokid1983
480 Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:09 pm
Location: Herefordshire

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by retrokid1983 » Wed Feb 03, 2021 8:21 pm

I managed to get a pair of splash guards. The original NSF in the picture is still usable so I've only replaced the OSF. It's not far away now. Mechanically, it will be spot on!

retrokid1983
480 Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:09 pm
Location: Herefordshire

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by retrokid1983 » Sat Feb 13, 2021 1:13 pm

Though I would take a couple of shots with the sun out. Polished up, she doesn't look half bad!

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dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
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Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:13 pm

That looks lovely, and great to see it getting all the mechanical side restored as well. Well done !
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

User avatar
edie_fox
480 Rookie
Posts: 415
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:05 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by edie_fox » Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:23 pm

I love that we have 6,437 different front lighting combinations to choose from. :lol:

Looks lovely. Like all of us; your dad is probably very much looking forward to this spring time!

retrokid1983
480 Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:09 pm
Location: Herefordshire

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by retrokid1983 » Sun May 16, 2021 4:05 pm

I'm pleased to say this car is now back on the road since Friday, getting it's MOT with no advisories. I've been quietly plodding away on this using any spare time. It's first run was to the test centre 5 miles away and it drove without any issues. My Dad is simply over the moon and now has his pride and joy back up and running. I've no doubt he would like to attend an an event or two.

Jobs on completed on the car include:

New exhaust (with the middle boxes cut and extended further because the fit was so poor - love ebay!)
New cat
New 02 sensor
New downpipes - manifold off to cut off the rotten nuts - new gaskets fitted.
Fabricated a hear shield for the rear silencer.
Fabricated a heat shield replacement for the one rotted out on the rear pipe (by the tank).
Front shocks out, stripped and tested. Bearings on struts cleaned and fitted with fresh grease. Cleaned rubber covers.
New front springs (one broken) and new top mounts fitted
Struts de-rusted, primed and painted.
Front calipers and carriers stripped, left in oxcilic acid, painted in black, assembled with new pistons, slides and a seal kit.
New splash guard fitted
Rear calipers stripped, painted and rebuilt with new seals.
New pads and discs fitted all round.
New handbrake cables fitted.
NSF copper brake pipe fitted
Copper brake pipe fitted from master cylinder to ABS pump.
New rear dampers fitted
Rear sills shattered to dust when hit. Rear inner wheel arches non existent. Rear seatbelt mount completely gone.
All rot cut out, steel fabricated and welded in.
NSF wing rotten and flapping about. Rot cut, lower wing and part wheel arch fabricated and welded in.
CV boot replaced at the gearbox end. New transmission oil added.
Every bit of surface rust underneath cut back with a wire brush on the grinder. Acid treated, etch primed and stone guarded. Full waxoyle underneath and in every box panel.
Alpine cd period stereo fitted with a retractable aerial.
New rear tyres
Full service.

Probably loads I've left out but you get the gist. It's a relief to have the work done but well worth it to see my Dad so happy.

Rob

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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AC ... authuser=0

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The family fleet:

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Last edited by retrokid1983 on Sun May 16, 2021 9:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
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Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by jamescarruthers » Sun May 16, 2021 4:33 pm

Well done! It will be great to have you and your Dad along for a meet. My Dad has joined us on two now as he had one back in the 90’s.

I get the feeling your family have a thing for pop-up lights!
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

Norm57
Can tell where the 480 was built
Posts: 362
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:08 pm
Location: Knaresborough

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by Norm57 » Sun May 16, 2021 5:14 pm

Well done Rob. I can see from your pics here and Facebook that your dad is delighted. Look forward to seeing you both at a meet hopefully 👏

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dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: Introduction and project update - N231PNH 480 Celebration.

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sun May 16, 2021 7:27 pm

That is a serious amount of work you've done there - no wonder your dad has such a big smile !! Our first outing of the year is the trip to the Haynes Museum and Breakfast club near Yeovil 5th & 6th June. If you'd like to join us you will be more than welcome - details are on a thread under meetings.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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