New member looking for a good nick 480

Cleaned up the garage, found parts laying around, but it turned out to be a complete Volvo 480? If you want to sell your car (480 only) you can place an advert here.

Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel

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Martin63
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New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Martin63 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:23 am

Hi everyone - as Rachel and Jeff know I am looking for a 480. I had 2 C30s from new in 2007 and 2012, but it's now time to go back in time.

I am not very technically minded, so the car needs to be in decent shape. There do seem to be some decent ones around but their prices are (understandably) pretty high.

Please let me know if you have a decent car at a reasonable price. 1991 or later would be ideal and as original as possible (I also love documented history - who doesn't?)

Thanks

Martin
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by MisterH » Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:49 am

Hi Martin, great to have you with us!

Even though the DLCU doesn't give the Volvo 480 a drug category, it is one of the most addictive things out there :lol: , everyone on this forum is hooked, they are wonderful cars really. There is a model to suit any taste, but I am an owner of an early Pre-cat car. Generally the older cars had more problems, but most of them have died out for that reason. Later cars are very well specced, but all 480s, save for the S, are well equipped as standard.

What sort of 480 were you looking for? Or just any 480?


I am based in Hampshire as well so would be happy to help you out where I can!

Ben
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

Martin63
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Martin63 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 11:33 am

Great to hear from you Ben! I am based near Fareham. I am open minded on the 480 as I know decent cars that are in good shape both mechanically and cosmetically are tough to find. I suspect that a Celebration is out of my price range and I am not hung up on the Turbo. So within reason I will consider anything at a sensible price. Thanks for the offer of help 😃
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by MisterH » Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:00 pm

Martin63 wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 11:33 am
Great to hear from you Ben! I am based near Fareham. I am open minded on the 480 as I know decent cars that are in good shape both mechanically and cosmetically are tough to find. I suspect that a Celebration is out of my price range and I am not hung up on the Turbo. So within reason I will consider anything at a sensible price. Thanks for the offer of help 😃
Have you seen the 'R' cars? Rescue 1 is shaping up nicely thanks to Jeff, and there is another one in the pipeline I believe. I am somewhat religious in my checking of the classifieds, and interesting prospects often get ripped apart, I mean analysed, on here!
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

Martin63
Knows where Volvo is from
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:57 am
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Martin63 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:05 pm

Not yet Ben - I have only started looking seriously in the past 2 weeks or so. I will have a deeper dig and I am already in contact with Jeff - thanks!
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

User avatar
MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by MisterH » Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:09 pm

Martin63 wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:05 pm
Not yet Ben - I have only started looking seriously in the past 2 weeks or so. I will have a deeper dig and I am already in contact with Jeff - thanks!
Excellent, He will sort you out I am sure.

I'll post anything interesting I find, which reminds me, I haven't had a look today...
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by dcwalker » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:03 pm

Hi Martin and welcome!

If you're on here and in touch with Jeff, then I'd like to think you are halfway towards obtaining that 480 already :lol:

Pleased to see you have an open mind when it comes to which 480 - obviously we all want the best condition, documented, etc, but they all have their quirks and foibles so it's really good not to be hung up on any particular model or age.

Post 1991 cars come after Volvo spent millions trying to sort out the 480 and rid it of the various problems that arose on some early cars. Early cars, however, are a complete lottery - I had a 1988 E-reg back in the day and it was a nightmare, yet a friend had a 1987 D-reg and took it to 200,000 miles and all it ever needed was routine maintenance and wear and tear items. So don't dismiss an early one on the basis it's an early one - it may be a good one. Several early ones owned on here that are excellent cars.

Turbo is of course the fastest, but whilst it doesn't have quite the same initial "oomph" the 2.0 gives it quite a good run for its money! I have been going through Celebrations over recent years (doing up, selling on) and they are very nice, but I think my beloved GT is the best I've ever owned :D

The rescue car project is new and going well, and the whole idea is that rescued cars, once brought back to the land of the living as necessary, then go off to new owners who will carry on the good work. R2 is spoken for I'm afraid (I know that because it's spoken for by me, sorry ;) ) but R1 is shaping up nicely and I can confirm that she has excellent rear arches, which is always worth a lot!

Good luck anyway, and if you see a car of interest do speak up ion here and we will all try yo help you with views...

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!

Martin63
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Martin63 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:26 pm

Great to hear from you David - good advice. I am a realist and know that a car that is c.30 years old will need some love and attention. Having lived in both the Netherlands and Germany I have to say that the thought of taking a 480 out on the road to those countries plus Belgium next summer is pretty exciting. Fingers crossed that the current situation has petered out by then.......

Good points about the early vehicles. I have read so much about rust, rot etc that I was really out off. I will do my best to keep an open mind.

I love the look of the two tone ones. I had a work colleague in Newbury from 1995 to 1997 who had one from new and - looking back - I suspect it sunk into my sub-consciousness, boosted by the research I did into the heritage of the first of my 2 new C30s back in 2007. If that car was still in production I suspect I would be onto my third one by now.

Thanks everyone for the advice and warm welcome!

Martin
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by MisterH » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:31 pm

Martin63 wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:26 pm
Great to hear from you David - good advice. I am a realist and know that a car that is c.30 years old will need some love and attention. Having lived in both the Netherlands and Germany I have to say that the thought of taking a 480 out on the road to those countries plus Belgium next summer is pretty exciting. Fingers crossed that the current situation has petered out by then.......

Good points about the early vehicles. I have read so much about rust, rot etc that I was really out off. I will do my best to keep an open mind.

I love the look of the two tone ones. I had a work colleague in Newbury from 1995 to 1997 who had one from new and - looking back - I suspect it sunk into my sub-consciousness, boosted by the research I did into the heritage of the first of my 2 new C30s back in 2007. If that car was still in production I suspect I would be onto my third one by now.

Thanks everyone for the advice and warm welcome!

Martin
Two Tones are my favourites from the facelift era, it just looks like that's how the car was always meant to look. I even painted some cufflinks up in that scheme for my old Physics Teacher who dearly missed his one...
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

Martin63
Knows where Volvo is from
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:57 am
Location: Fareham, Hampshire UK
Contact:

Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Martin63 » Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:00 am

Just giving this post a bump just in case anyone has any leads on a decent condition 480. There's a pale blue one on Facebook Marketplace that has been listed by a dealer. It looks ok from the photos but it's been up for sale for several months now. My gut feeling isn't fabulous about it. Plus it's in Darlington and I am in Hampshire. Under normal circumstances that wouldn't unduly concern me.....but 2020 has not been anything like a normal year and trekking up there pre Christmas doesn't appeal. If there's anyone locally in the North East who might have time to take a look though I would be very appreciative.

One of my new year's wishes would be to be part of a 480 meet up at the old 480 factory in the Netherlands in the spring of 2021. How good would that be?!

Happy Christmas and New Year everyone!

Martin
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

Norm57
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Norm57 » Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:34 pm

Hi Martin, welcome to the forum. There has been a lot of wedges coming out of the woodwork this year and some are trying to get silly money for them,for example there is a S model on Facebook at the moment for £3500 and although it looks good it is a base model. Always if possible check mileage through MOTs as odometers are a common failure.Rear arch rust and water ingress through the rear lights is common as well. There are good ones out there but take your time and it is always worthwhile getting advice/opinions on here. Good hunting.

Norman.

Martin63
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Martin63 » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:47 pm

Thanks for the advice Norman - I know I need to be patient. As you mentioned a few have come out of the woodwork this year. Surprising, as I don't recall seeing one on the road in a long time.

If you or anyone else comes across a nice one do please let me know.

Best wishes

Martin
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

Martin63
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Martin63 » Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:58 pm

Giving this another bump......just in case!
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

TheRicer
480 Newbie
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by TheRicer » Sun Feb 28, 2021 12:52 pm

Hey Martin,

I was looking to sell my J reg 480 ES 1.7 all white (although I know you prefer the two tones and rightly so).

I've had a few issues here and there but have taken care of them, including some welding, new exhaust sections, new rad, stuck Odo fixed, tyres all round and more.

I'm in Stamford, Lincs so there's a bit of distance between us but DM me if you fancy a chat.

Cheers,

Ben

Martin63
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Re: New member looking for a good nick 480

Post by Martin63 » Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:37 am

Good to hear from you Ben - I will DM you
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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