An Australian 480

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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Martin63
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An Australian 480

Post by Martin63 » Tue May 18, 2021 8:30 am

480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
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jifflemon
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by jifflemon » Tue May 18, 2021 10:40 am

Very interesting.... RHD early car, with the ultra rare Vega's.

That's a well loved car! :D

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MisterH
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by MisterH » Tue May 18, 2021 12:01 pm

That is very nice, those rear lights must have some special sauce in them to make them survive that weather
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Martin Mc
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by Martin Mc » Tue May 18, 2021 1:15 pm

It looks like a non-standard colour to me, kind of cream / off-white. Very nice though, and possibly a trick of the light.

And we thought wedgies were rare in the UK!! Imagine seeing one coming towards you on an Aussie road! You'd probably veer off the carriageway in surprise :D
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

Martin63
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by Martin63 » Tue May 18, 2021 2:47 pm

Martin Mc wrote:
Tue May 18, 2021 1:15 pm
It looks like a non-standard colour to me, kind of cream / off-white. Very nice though, and possibly a trick of the light.

And we thought wedgies were rare in the UK!! Imagine seeing one coming towards you on an Aussie road! You'd probably veer off the carriageway in surprise :D
And then potentially hit a kangaroo! :rofl:

All joking aside, I guess the Australian climate is generally pretty good for older car survival. The one and only time I visited Malta in 1979 I saw old UK cars that I had only ever seen in films, on tv or in books at that time.
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dcwalker
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by dcwalker » Tue May 18, 2021 4:39 pm

I believe Australia was where Volvo did the 480's hot weather trials - including accidentally rolling one upside down and covering it up quick so that no peeping motoring journalists noticed that it was FWD before Volvo was ready to announce the radical move away from RWD they'd made with the 480...

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!

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Re: An Australian 480

Post by Martin63 » Tue May 18, 2021 4:52 pm

dcwalker wrote:
Tue May 18, 2021 4:39 pm
I believe Australia was where Volvo did the 480's hot weather trials - including accidentally rolling one upside down and covering it up quick so that no peeping motoring journalists noticed that it was FWD before Volvo was ready to announce the radical move away from RWD they'd made with the 480...

David
Maybe this one was dug out a sand dune then David - unveiling the cover up exercise? 😁
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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dcwalker
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by dcwalker » Tue May 18, 2021 5:39 pm

I reckon you may well be on to something there :lol:

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!

Martin63
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by Martin63 » Tue May 18, 2021 5:48 pm

dcwalker wrote:
Tue May 18, 2021 5:39 pm
I reckon you may well be on to something there :lol:

David


If it is then that is a true launch car! 😁
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
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jamescarruthers
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by jamescarruthers » Tue May 18, 2021 9:52 pm

But it has a Catalyser badge! So not so early I’d guess.
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
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Martin63
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by Martin63 » Tue May 18, 2021 10:05 pm

jamescarruthers wrote:
Tue May 18, 2021 9:52 pm
But it has a Catalyser badge! So not so early I’d guess.
Good point!
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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Jay-Kay-Em
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Re: An Australian 480

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Wed May 19, 2021 11:02 am

Image

Yep, without a doubt, that is absolutely gorgeous.

If I had to date it, on the strength of the Lambda symbol on the B-pillar, i'd go '90-91. In addition to the chunky mirrors and phase 1 fogs. The clear front indicators are a kipper rouge me thinks.

I think the wheels are Borbet 'A' and not Vega's.... I say this as the spokes stop short of the rim. That and they have a slightly deeper dish.

Someone needs to have a word about the rear wiper though, it's inverted and the wrong side!

Crying out for a front airdam and bumpers to be black striped but that's just personal opinion.

You are a brave soul to park those amazing rear lamps in the Australian sun!
Jay-Kay-Em
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