What is the story behind the cruise control option?

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MisterH
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What is the story behind the cruise control option?

Post by MisterH » Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:44 pm

'Afternoon All

I was wondering recently what happened to the 480 cruise control, and why it is so rare. Was it a testbed only with a handful of factory cars fitted? was it an option for 1 year only? was it just not popular?

Or was it a victim of cost cutting?

Any answers would be appreciated!

Cheers
Ben
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

jifflemon
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Re: What is the story behind the cruise control option?

Post by jifflemon » Tue Jul 06, 2021 3:17 pm

Don't know the whole story, but you have to remember that back in the 80's/90's cruise and A/C were ridiculously expensive options, typically only fitted to luxury high end cars. I can certain remember people saying "why would I want AC when I can wind down a window?"

My guess would be dropped because it was rarely ordered.

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dcwalker
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Re: What is the story behind the cruise control option?

Post by dcwalker » Tue Jul 06, 2021 4:07 pm

It was only ever an accessory (certainly in the UK) and appears in the accessory brochures from the early 1990s onwards. It was a dealer-fit option I believe. I personally know of only one 480 (a Celebration) with it fitted, although a few more 440s/460s had it.

As Jeff says, it was the early days and I doubt many people wanted it - it would doubtless have been expensive and since such early systems were vacuum operated they weren't very effective at maintaining a constant speed (losing speed going uphill, gaining it going down).

If I ever found one in a scrap-yard I'd certainly be tempted to take it (mind you, the system had a lot of components!) but it would be for novelty/rarity value rather than in the belief it would be of much benefit. Given the radar controlled adaptive cruise control on my V60 I suspect I'd find the 480 system very hard to trust!

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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dragonflyjewels
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Re: What is the story behind the cruise control option?

Post by dragonflyjewels » Tue Jul 06, 2021 4:50 pm

I seem to recall James getting hold of cruise control and fitting it to his car ??
There is an ex English car in the French club - he came over to Bristol for it because it had cruise control as well as aircon and a sunroof. Very nice !
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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Richmann1
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Re: What is the story behind the cruise control option?

Post by Richmann1 » Wed Oct 20, 2021 8:30 pm

I have cruise on mine, the majority was removed from a scrap 460 CD, any components that were missing I bought from volvo at a nice cheap price :cryhard:
Volvo 480 Turbo Collection no 329/480.

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