Tidy looking Ebay offering

[zapcity]

This looks a nice car for not much money.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-480-2- ... 0678.m3607

However I think the speedo stopped working about 5 years ago looking at the MOT mileage history.

[dragonflyjewels]

described as an se, but badged as an es - does the se actually exist ?

[jamescarruthers]

SE is likely the dealer misreading ES on the back of the car or in the case of Twin Tone, Paris Blue, etc. a way of declaring Special Edition‎ to the DVLA.

Are celebrations declared as SE to the DVLA? Very small chance that this is a Celebration (it is very late registered) that has had wheels and boot lid replaced.

Controversial, but IMHO the 480 special editions are rather unimaginative and rather unspecial. I like the wheels on the GT and the look of the twin tone paint, that's about it. 


Wouldn't pay a penny more for a Celebration. At that price and with decent arches, that eBay car looks a right bargain.‎ Mileage will be 100k+ probably but that hasn't ever bothered a 480.

[Martin Mc]

I've been to see this car this afternoon as it is only 5 miles from where I live, and can offer the following assessment:

Good Points

1) Wheel arches both sides in good order (slight corrosion on the inner lip of the drivers side). In fact, all the body seems solid, with only minor scuffs to the corners
2) Engine started 1st time from cold and sounded fine (slight alternator belt squeal). It ran up to operating temperature without any obvious problems.
3) Exhaust fine, with a steady note, no leaks and no tell tale blue or white smoke
4) Alloys and tyres in good order
5) Strong hydraulic supports on rear hatch mean this opens and stays open (rare!!)
6) Moon roof working fine
7) Upholstery in good order, commensurate with mileometer reading
Doors align evenly and open
9) Central locking works
10) Pop up headlamps smooth and fully operative.
11) Factory towbar (ball missing)
12) Door cards all in good order (a couple of clips missing on passenger side)
13) Original Volvo cassette player (radio working - didn't test tape)

Bad Points

a) Carpets all wet (ok find me a 480 that doesn't leak)
b) Patches of lacquer peeling all over the place - it will need a respray
c) Usual instrument cluster issues (inoperative rev counter etc)
d) Boot very wet & evidence of rust on both sides with rust stains to the wet carpet
e) Headlining sagging a bit at the rear
f) One door pocket shot away
g) Washer bottle lid missing
h) One wheel centre cap missing.
i) One rear light cluster in a bad way - might explain the wet interior..
j) No history or service documents.
k) Electric aerial not working

I forgot to test the electric windows - doh!

Anyway, chatting to Mark, the car lot proprietor, it seems he is just looking to recoup what he paid for it in PX, and save it from being scrapped. Whilst I would have loved to take it on, I think I would better suit someone with a bit more time on their hands. A very solid and eminently salvageable motor in my opinion. Make Mark an offer - even at £595 this is a steal!

Cheers!

Martin

[dcwalker]

Thanks for the report Martin -ought to be of interest to someone!

That burgundy red seems to have been very prone to lacquer peel...

On the "SE" question raised above, AFAIK there was never an SE model. I think a lot got wrongly reported (SE is quite a common badge, whereas ES isn't), From what I recall James the V5 for my Celebration said "480 Celebration" and the current one says "480 GT", so I don't think it's a DVLA thing.

David

[eye of ra]

Did see that one and rote it off as too far away to look at and not an Auto.

Now in two minds.

Lack of auto will probably win.

[dcwalker]

Go on Dave - you know you want to!

David

[Martin Mc]

Well, it looks like it sold anyway (gone off eBay).

Hopefully we will hear about a sympathetic light restoration on these pages...

[eye of ra]

Go on Dave - you know you want to!

David

Well, it looks like it sold anyway (gone off eBay).

Hopefully we will hear about a sympathetic light restoration on these pages...

Well decision made. Sometimes things are for the best and at least I don’t have to tell my better half there’s another 480 on the way.

[dcwalker]

Go on Dave - you know you want to!

David

Well, it looks like it sold anyway (gone off eBay).

Hopefully we will hear about a sympathetic light restoration on these pages...

Well decision made. Sometimes things are for the best and at least I don’t have to tell my better half there’s another 480 on the way.

That sounds familiar - I haven't mentioned to Lee the fact that I am asking after another one...

David

[dragonflyjewels]

eye of ra, when your wife was sitting next to you there was no chance of another 480 project !
Are you thinking of a fleet or buying and selling ? If you're planning a restoration business, can my 2 litre be first in the queue ? After 230,000 miles she's starting to need welding (just had to have the front springs seats done)
Hope you'll have your first one finished in time for one of the meets this year.

[eye of ra]

Are you thinking of a fleet or buying and selling ?

My plan at the moment is to have two. One as an occasional car kept as original as I can keep it and another as a daily use that will have a few mods.

If you're planning a restoration business, can my 2 litre be first in the queue ? After 230,000 miles she's starting to need welding (just had to have the front springs seats done)

I did do a welding course recently and have an old MIG welder in the garage but not had a chance to try my new skills out on thin car body metal and don’t even know if the welder works, inherited it with the house.

Hope you'll have your first one finished in time for one of the meets this year.

The rate of current progress and the decision to take the engine and gearbox out for an overhaul means I doubt it’ll make one this year, but you never know.