She's a 1988 ES in metallic black. I bought her just over two years ago with just 8,500 miles on her. Once I saw her I had to have her and traded in my 1994 Turbo to get her. She was owned from new in 1988 by one guy who did just over 5,000miles until selling her to a lady in 2007 who used her for a year before trading in to a garage (the one I got her from) in 2008. I have always wondered what the original owner did with her, because it was like walking into a Volvo showroom in 1988 when I went to view her at the garage two years ago.
When I got it, although she was perfect I had Mr. Volvo of Cambridge carry out a service, cambelt change, exhaust change, brake pad and fluid change and coolant change just incase any of these items were poorly from being 20 years old. The tyres were original marked "1 88" with loads of tread left! Since then, she's been serviced like clockwork as required. The last service being carried out on 28th May 2010 at 17369. The mileage is now 17,800 but will go up to just over 18,000 as I have to goto Middlesex with her next Sunday. The mileage is all backed up by the service history and MOT.
She's always been garaged when I've had her and clearly has been garaged in all of its previous life as you can see from the photos. She's completely rust free and the rear lights are like they've just rolled out of the factory, along with the front lights which look particulaly impressive compared to other 480s (compare the last picture to my red 480s front lights). Apart from a week each year I've owned her in winter when I took her to Newcastle for Christmas she's never really been out in the bad weather.
The interior is my favourite on the 480: grey with red piping. It is immaculate and comes with proper Volvo mats which are still grey (they seem to go green on old 480s left in the sun) and a front armrest cupholder along with the original arm rest if you want to put it back. It has a great Blaupunkt Sydney RCM 85 tape/radio which can have a CD changer attached to it. I'm not sure how old it is, but it sounds great (better than original Volvo and suits the interior perfectly. Also, there is a tape holder in the centre console cubby hole. It has the push button heating controls not the slidey types-- so in theory could have air conditioning fitted to it someday. The temperature slider is new also, these don't age well!
Also, a unique feature I've never seen on another 480 is that it has a proper electric sun roof, not a moon roof. It tilts in the usual fashion but also goes back entirely. This means that it has different head liing to usual, a custom job. This is a professional job and suits the interior perfectly.
I would like to attach aconditions to the sale: if you are every going to sell this car in the future please, please, please give me first refusal. This is a very reluctant, but ultimately necessary, sale.
Two things I've never really bothered to fix are that the day running lights dont glow at full illumination 21w filament, the 4w filament is always on with the lights. I've always told myself that it keeps the plastic on the lenses cool so they don't discolour. Thats probably true but it wold look netter with bright DRLs during the day.
Also the washer bottle wont fill to the top. It has a leak, but as I only take the car out when its dry its not been much of an issue me. I will endeavour to fix this one while the car is for sale. Not a major issue, it just means that the "screenwash low" light is often on. However, it doesn't leak to the point that you have no screenwash to use!
The car is in Cambridge, 30 seconds from the train station should you want to come to have a look at her.
I will give you guys on here first refusal. After that I will be advertising in the usual ways in Practical Classics, Autotrader and probably eBay.
Just passed its MOT at the end of May this year (expires May 29th 2011) when it was serviced at Volvo and is taxed for 5 months.
Price £4000 o.n.o.
My name is James and you can call me on 07973 327 542 if you have any questions or want to arrange a viewing.
I will also be selling my Turbo auto (just needs a new auto box) once this one is sold. This was my "daily" car until recently I need the money from this sale to get the new box a fix a few little snags then that'll be available for just over £1000. Again no rust, and low miles 56,000. This car has lovelly GT wheels on, which could go with the black car if wanted. Here is a picture of the car + wheels before the auto box died.
