Volvo 480 Club Europe

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

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....

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...

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.

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

Much the same for me
1 Vesa
2 Lyra
3 Pictor

Much prefer something intricate to contrast with the surrounding smooth surfaces.

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

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.

1 Cetus
2 -
3 -

My 480 had the Cetus wheels and to my taste they were very elegant.

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.

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

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

as per alpha order!

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

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???

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

Sylvia. Did you get my PM?

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 !

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.

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.

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???

nae that bad, seen worse . . . .. .
I do prefer the taurus if honest

Vega
Canis
Pictor