Laurie - '94 480 GT - Racing Green Metallic

[Laurie945]

So, here she is:



For me, it's like a trip down memory lane. I can remember how excited I was for my first car to be a 480. Being 18, and on my Mom's car+insurance, it was a big deal ... Roll on to 2023, and I'm in my thirties, and couldn't resist ...

Little did I know how much I forgot about them, until now. Aren't they just great!?

This one has been with the last owner for 20 years. First registered on 31st August 1994. Previous to that, a garage bought it from the owner who drove it from their garage to the shops, and back again. 5 owners, according to the Logbook.

Just over 61000 miles. And being a GT, there's a few subtle(ish) changes I'm unfamiliar with, like AC (AC!?!) that works, leather seats, those lovely 15" alloys, matching bumpers, and the bigger engine.

She's just had a set of Toyo Proxes fitted, today, and I've got a new battery, just to be safe.

After a few phone calls to my local Volvo dealer, I remember just how difficult it is to get genuine parts for them! So here's the start of the journey! I'm hoping I can work out the image hosting!

The alarm is playing its own game, which is both hilarious and frightening at the same time. I'm hoping the new battery might calm it down, for the pleasure of myself, the car, and especially the neighbours!

[Jay-Kay-Em]

Great to see Laurie.

The GT's do look dead smart on the factory VESA's.

Nowt wrong with Toyo Proxes... always had them on the Mk2 and never had cause for complaint.

Yeah... Volvo dealers.... forget 'em!

[Laurie945]

It had a set of Rainsport 3's on the front, and some Avon's on the rear. Both were 20 years old! I was torn between tyre choices, but a few recommendations put me onto the Toyo's. I'm not doing heavy miles, as I cycle most of the time, so fingers crossed for these!

[jifflemon]

Need pictures of the interior!!!

They’re all unique but I’m curious to see what shades you’ve got!

Battery and tyres and very sensible purchases.

Is the AC working? It’s worth getting that checked/regassed as parts for them are long since unobtainium.

Forget Volvo - they’ve long forgotten the 480 - ask here and we can find most stuff

[Laurie945]

I will get some more shots of it tomorrow, but the back seats are where it's at with the 480's, in my opinion!

[Jay-Kay-Em]

Awesome

[jifflemon]

Never get tired of seeing them.

I've tried in vain to find pictures of what they were like from new (the single image in the brochure isn't the best), and I suspect sun fade plays a role in how they look now.

[Laurie945]

That would be incredible to see them new! My '89 ES had grey cloth interior with red piping, so I can remember. I'd never seen this interior in the flesh until I went up to see this one, and I thought it was half leather, but no! What a mad interior. It suits the 480's quirkiness perfectly.

Driver focused in the front, and passenger focused everywhere else. Obviously, having found that the cassette player worked, I immediately went through the collection of tapes to find a few choice albums to test it out. My ES could only pick up Russian radio, from the UK, so this is real luxury!

[Laurie945]

And yes, the AC is working a treat! What a luxury! The biggest problem I currently have is working out why the alarm goes off at its own will. Locking the car from the driver's door activates the central locking, and if you hold the key in the lock position for a few seconds it will pull the windows up! That's a neat trick. But the LED on the dash flashes sometimes, and other times it doesn't. Either way, the alarm will usually go off by itself, whether it be a few minutes after locking, 30 seconds, or over an hour ... And it's LOUD!

I'm hoping that a new battery might tame it a bit, but remembering the electrics on my previous one, I expect it's something else. Any light shed on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

[Laurie945]

As promised, the front interior:

[Laurie945]

New battery fitted. Easy job for a bicycle mechanic!

[WillC9303]

Looks fantastic, I love the interiors on the GTs. Looks like you got a good seat pattern there too! As mentioned on here already, don’t bother with Volvo dealers for parts. You’d have as much luck getting anything than if you went to a Subaru dealership and asked for any 480 bits

The GT’s should have a front spoiler & yours looks like it’s missing. There was one on FB Marketplace recently, but some berk wanted 250 quid for it. A place called WR Composites remanufactures them as well as the rear spoiler from the original Hausser bodykit.

Oh and yes the 480 alarm is notoriously loud. While it’s an excellent theft deterrent, my greatest fear is it randomly going off on the drive at 3AM!!!!

[jifflemon]

As promised, the front interior:

Lovely!
If you've not got a leather treatment of choice, I'll happily recommend Gliptone. I swear by GT12 intensive cleaner followed by some GT11 leather conditioner. Not sponsored or anything, just a very happy customer!

All good to see some of my favourite products in your toolbox too!

On the alarm front, does the central locking work ok? Holding the key will wind the windows up (a benefit of the CEM3), but I'm wondering if the microswitch in the door is on the squiff and it's detecting it opening?

[Laurie945]

Thank you for the recommendation! I've got some natural 'Saddler's' leather conditioner, which is a new take on a pretty old school formula, but I will take you up on that!

Yes, the central locking works, and the windows go up if held, but I haven't checked any of the connections yet. Is this connection you're talking about behind the door card?

[Laurie945]

WillC9303, I did not know about the spoiler! Now I'm on the hunt!

Does anyone know where I could find some original floor mats? Or if not, which 'custom' supplier is worth contacting?

[Laurie945]

William, are you talking about this company:

https://wrcomposites.co.uk/

If so, I live 2 miles away from them. TWO!

[edie_fox]

WillC9303, I did not know about the spoiler! Now I'm on the hunt!

Does anyone know where I could find some original floor mats? Or if not, which 'custom' supplier is worth contacting?

There are quite a few. Jeff has recommended one a few times, not sure if this one: https://www.carmats-uk.com/p/volvo-480- ... -car-mats/

You can personalise to your taste. I think he said he went deluxe as heck and they ended up a bit too plush though.

And this is your other contact for the spoiler: https://wrcomposites.co.uk/custom-parts/ (whoops, just seen you've already go this link - good that you live so close!)

Parts wise. I'm not sure now but Polar Parts used to be great and Skandix if you want a big order so the postage isn't 8 times as much as your order!

https://www.polar-parts.co.uk/

eBay is ok for bits and bobs if you don't go too cheap. Volvo are good for oil filters and that is all (and you can get those cheaper off eBay too).

[dragonflyjewels]

I'd recommend the repro spoilers from Wayne at wrcomposites. They are fibre glass as opposed to Volvos thin plastic ones, which are much more easily damaged. Lucky you to be so close !

[Martin63]

Oh and yes the 480 alarm is notoriously loud. While it’s an excellent theft deterrent, my greatest fear is it randomly going off on the drive at 3AM!!!!

As mine did on the ES 2 years ago - I have not tested it on the GT yet

[Laurie945]

Just a little side note: from my experience with Volvo dealerships 10+ years ago with the ES, they were very helpful finding service parts; and to my surprise, our new dealership in Stourbridge is just as helpful!

They've managed to source filters and plugs, and they're on the case for a few more bits. If you're reading this on a computer, you may be able to translate this page:

https://www.gcp.se/search?q=480&mode=text

Although the 480 doesn't appear on the drop-down list, there's 300+ parts listed if you search '480'. According to Paul Rigby Volvo - Stourbridge, that's where they source a lot of their parts when needed. It's a Volvo owned and managed website.

I think the problem is with Volvo themselves ... Or your local dealer!