480 Wheels = controversy!

The Volvo 480 looks good as is, but if you have the desire to give it a more personal look you can find out what others did to their 480 and be inspired.

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jifflemon
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480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by jifflemon » Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:35 am

So..... simple task. Observe the below (listed alphabetically), then pick your top three and why!

Image

jifflemon
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by jifflemon » Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:44 am

So, for me:

1: Vega
2: Taurus
3: Atlas

1+2 were easy; 3 more a challange. I love a 5 spoke wheel, the simplicity of the Vega, does it nicely. Then the Taurus with it's slight twist on the 5 spoke theme puts it second.

Pictors and Canis could have made it to 3rd spot, but the problem is they're not handed - they look great on one side of the car then back to front on the other (wouldn't stop me owning them - in fact, I've got a set of Canis). Antares just don't do it, yes they're 5 spoke, but the bulged spoke puts me off. and so Atlas squeezes into 3rd place.

Have never seen castor or lyra fitted on a 480. I may end up getting a set of avior's as an odd number of spokes is always visually appealing.

However, I'll never love the Vesa....

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MisterH
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by MisterH » Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:25 am

1. Pollux
2. Taurus
3. Castor


The Pollux is my favourite as it is the wheel that was specifically designed with the 480 in mind when it launched, it is quite small so shrugs off potholes and the design link with the steering wheel is very nice.

The Taurus wheel is like the Pollux but turned up to 11. Especially works with TTs and peacock green cars, though I am a sucker for a satin white 480 with these on.

The Castor is a surprise choice for many: any years ago, I came across a gumtree ad for job lot of 3 480s: a really exciting 184 Silver Grey met 87 car, a graphite grey 88 car with Castor wheels and a white turbo. The castors really appealed to me as they remind me of the Pirelli P-Slot alloys on VWs of the era, they have that sleek futuristic vibe that is often only seen on wheel trims. However these only work for me on cars which have coloured bumpers.

My disdain for the Cetus is well documented on here already, but even they look better than the Antares...
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
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edie_fox
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by edie_fox » Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:30 am

1. Vega - Lovely big fat clean-ness. A wide, tidy, plain design.
2. Pictor - Go-faster wheels! I do like how they look on.
3. Pollux - Traditional, classic. Suit the car.

Bearing in mind I’d probably never change wheels!

I’m not keen on the Antares/Cetus but I guess they might look right on the right car... maybe.

Norm57
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Norm57 » Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:21 am

For me
1:VESA
2:Lyra
3:Cetus.
Used to have a white celeb on VESA wheels and it really suited it.

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dragonflyjewels
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by dragonflyjewels » Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:53 am

Much the same for me
1 Vesa
2 Lyra
3 Pictor

Much prefer something intricate to contrast with the surrounding smooth surfaces.
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
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Norm57 » Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:27 pm

While on this topic I have set of four centre caps going spare if anyone needs them. Came in a job lot of spares.

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brinkie
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by brinkie » Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:11 pm

1. Vega. Rare as hen's teeth but the clean design is so beautiful.
2. Vesa. Less rare and has that "classy" look. Currently on my car.
3. tough one... with little margin I choose Canis over Pictor.
Pictor was on my first (and current) 480 when I bought it, Canis on my second 480 (sold to a friend, who has put Lenso BSX'es on it).

For those who wants them, I've got a set of 14" Antares for [s]sale[/s] free. Definitely at the bottom of my list.
Robert.

Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum

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Van
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Van » Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:59 pm

1 Cetus
2 -
3 -

My 480 had the Cetus wheels and to my taste they were very elegant.
after over 10 years parted with the 1995 Volvo 480 ES 2.0

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Jay-Kay-Em
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:26 pm

1. Taurus
2. Vesa
3. Cetus

I need 15" bias therapy it would seem.

To be fair they are a good bunch of wheels and Pollux holds a special place in my heart as the 'original'. Such a good spot from Mr.H about the lines in the spokes..... spokes of both the road wheel and the steering wheel... never ever noticed that link.

I must admit, some days Taurus and Vesa swap in my mind.... occasionally I see a decent picture of Vesa and I think darn it, I have the wrong wheel. Then "100" posts a picture of his TT and all is right with the world again.

Technically Canis should be my third as I love the design - but once you see the 16" Columbia from the 850-T5, then Canis is always the smaller imitator.

Vega's are cool but I don't consider them very Volvo-ish. Aren't they just OSCAM Stella's?

The only one I find truly offensive is Antares, but I sufficiently vented the other day. :angry: :lol:
Jay-Kay-Em
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dcwalker
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by dcwalker » Tue Mar 16, 2021 3:21 pm

You're a brave man, Jeff - talk about lighting blue touch paper and retiring to a safe distance to watch the fireworks :lol:

I find this a really hard one, because I think that different wheels in combination with different colours can look good, or indifferent. And I use that distinction intentionally because, as has been said, they're not a bad collection of wheels. The only one I think looks downright bad is the 14"Antares.

I'm not a great fan of Pictor, either - the "split" spokes look too fussy to me, and accentuate that look of being "backwards facing" on one side of the car.

On a two-tone only Taurus will do - anything else just looks wrong, to me.

On an early model with black bumpers, only Pollux looks right - Ben, I read somewhere that the two spoke steering wheel which mimicked two of the five alloy spokes was a deliberate design choice, and I too have always had a soft spot for it ;) .

I have (temporarily) put Canis on the storm grey Celebration (Pud) and was surprised how good I thought they looked. But I am not sure they would look as good against a different colour...(equally, I don't particularly like the Canis on my blue 440, but the Cetus suit her really well).

So to leave aside all of the above and provide a "top three" in the abstract, I'd say:
1. Vesa - sophisticated look
2. Cetus - six-spoke alloy with a balanced, classic simplicity. Along with Taurus it also looks (and of course it is purely optical) the biggest of the wheels as well
3. Taurus - a 5 spoke alloy wheel usually looks good, and I like the added twist - quite literally - to the spokes.

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!

Alan 480
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Alan 480 » Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:44 pm

as per alpha order!

BUT lycra /vesa last cos a PITA to keep clean/tidy/refurb, choose as reqd :-)
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

jifflemon
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by jifflemon » Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:56 pm

Alan 480 wrote:
Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:44 pm
as per alpha order!

BUT lycra /vesa last cos a PITA to keep clean/tidy/refurb, choose as reqd :-)
wait a minute Alan.....

You like the Antares wheel??? :shock:

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dragonflyjewels
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by dragonflyjewels » Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:42 pm

When I saw the Antares wheels on the tatty Celeb given to the rescue group, I seriously thought they were a cheap aftermarket copy of the Cetus - it never entered my mind that they might be genuine Volvo as they looked so cheap and trashy. (Apologies to anyone who actually likes them) The photo doesn't do them justice :lol:
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
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Norm57 » Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:00 am

Sylvia. Did you get my PM?

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dragonflyjewels
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by dragonflyjewels » Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:19 am

Hi Norm, Yes, your centre caps are for the Atlas wheels.
If no-one else wants them and you want them gone, I'll have what's left. I have a set of Atlas in the garage, stacked so I cant hit the back wall. I know not all the centre caps are there, should be somewhere else but Al is not the tidiest person so wouldnt surprise me if one or two have gone missing along with the Vesa ones !
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: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Norm57 » Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:32 am

dragonflyjewels wrote:
Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:19 am
Hi Norm, Yes, your centre caps are for the Atlas wheels.
If no-one else wants them and you want them gone, I'll have what's left. I have a set of Atlas in the garage, stacked so I cant hit the back wall. I know not all the centre caps are there, should be somewhere else but Al is not the tidiest person so wouldnt surprise me if one or two have gone missing along with the Vesa ones !
Ok that’s fine. If you are not fussed will bring them to a meet if I can make it. If you need them sooner PM your address and I will post. Cheers Norman.

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dragonflyjewels
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by dragonflyjewels » Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:47 pm

Thanks Norm - no rush at all. If anyone else wants one or more meantime please let them go. There is always the chance that mine will all turn up.
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

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
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Location: Aberdeen

Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Alan 480 » Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:42 pm

jifflemon wrote:
Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:56 pm
Alan 480 wrote:
Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:44 pm
as per alpha order!

BUT lycra /vesa last cos a PITA to keep clean/tidy/refurb, choose as reqd :-)
wait a minute Alan.....

You like the Antares wheel??? :shock:
nae that bad, seen worse . . . .. .
I do prefer the taurus if honest :wink:
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

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Murf
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Re: 480 Wheels = controversy!

Post by Murf » Fri Mar 19, 2021 10:54 pm

Vega
Canis
Pictor 😁
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

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