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Japanese market 480s?

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:46 am
by WillC9303
Hi all,

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the 480 was initially supposed to be sold in Japan, but never made it there.

Either that or there were official imports to Japan, but it didn’t last long and few were sold.

I also recall seeing a Japanese newspaper ad for the 480 and was told once that the unpainted side rubbing strips were narrower than the painted ones so that they complied with Japan’s width restrictions at the time for certain classes of car.

I believe there were at least a few private imports (never seen any pics though) but what about official ones?

Re: Japanese market 480s?

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 1:14 pm
by Martin63
WillC9303 wrote:
Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:46 am
Hi all,

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the 480 was initially supposed to be sold in Japan, but never made it there.

Either that or there were official imports to Japan, but it didn’t last long and few were sold.

I also recall seeing a Japanese newspaper ad for the 480 and was told once that the unpainted side rubbing strips were narrower than the painted ones so that they complied with Japan’s width restrictions at the time for certain classes of car.

I believe there were at least a few private imports (never seen any pics though) but what about official ones?

I have the official Japanese Volvo 480 Turbo brochure - coincidentally I only obtained it a couple of weeks ago. David, Jeff, Sylvia, Robert and Thijs already have a pdf scan. If you drop me a PM with your number and/or email I can send it to you.

The early history of the car is fascinating. I have spotted US car magazine reviews that tend to indicate that the US market launch cancellation, due to the weak conversion rate between the Dutch guilder and US $, came very late.

Re: Japanese market 480s?

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 1:18 pm
by cranna21
Hey Martin, could you send me a scan ? Want me to pm my email ?

Re: Japanese market 480s?

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:13 pm
by Martin63
cranna21 wrote:
Sun Sep 17, 2023 1:18 pm
Hey Martin, could you send me a scan ? Want me to pm my email ?
Done!