Volvo 480 Club Europe

Anyone have a spare 48,000 Euros?
Came across this on Facebook after someone posted a link to it. Seller obviously asking an astronomical price for it, but someone may end up owning a piece of automotive history! One of a few surviving Cabrio prototypes, this is the only one known to be in private ownership.

I have a feeling this is in fact the mysterious 'H585GNE', or 'Genie' as I like to call it, which was a UK registered RHD prototype that mysteriously disappeared off the radar about 10 or so years ago. Someone on Facebook also mentioned this being an import and RHD to LHD conversion.

EDIT: Just had confirmation that this is ex-RHD H585GNE.

Notable points

• Just 2,000km on the clock

• Built in May 1991

• Badged as a Turbo, but clearly has the 102hp B18FP lump

• Paris Blue, manual, with turquoise bumper stripes

• Gorgeous two-tone blue/grey leather interior (NOT the Paris Edition spec I might add)

• Vega Alloys, MOMO Daytona steering wheel, cupholder armrest

• Interior sun visor signed by Rob Koch

• License plate number 24-TJD-7 (NL reg)

• Seems like the buttons for the roof are behind the driver on the B-pillar. Seems an awkward place to put them.

• Really not much info in the description which is disappointing. Have no idea if the electric roof mechanism works, or if it’s manual only. Should also have gingicators seeing as it’s a Phase 1.

https://www.autoscout24.nl/aanbod/volvo ... r_bucket=0

RHD to LHD conversion would have been a major undertaking!

Wonder how you’d get on over here trying to insure, as technically it’s probably now need an SVA test on registration

looks 'pretty' with roof down
pretty ropey with roof up, not a nice join as soft top seems like a tent?

and the 'trimming' around the sill is also 'suspect'?

can you just chop the roof off, leave doors 'fixed' and use 'Dukes of Hazard' entry method?

Its already sold, apparently.

I've always had my doubts about this one - there are several that came out the factory as standard then got converted by their owners. Eric Vanaubel (co-author of the 480 book) is currently doing just that to a turbo he bought for the purpose.
My suspicions were raised by 3 things already pointed out on here - wrong badge on the back, ridiculous position for the controls, and really gash inner sill trim.
One day we'll get to the Volvo museum and I'll be checking out the cabrio they have on display. Hopefully it won't be tucked so far into its corner that we can't see the inside.

dragonflyjewels wrote: ↑

Sun May 07, 2023 8:03 pm

My suspicions were raised by 3 things already pointed out on here - wrong badge on the back, ridiculous position for the controls, and really gash inner sill trim.

To be fair, that is the correct placement for the roof controls as seen on this press picture of a different prototype from Volvo. Though, it is missing the vent underneath.


It also used to be correctly badged as an 'ES' as seen in this You Tube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4VzKUu ... =Volvotips

As for the sill cover, that has stumped me too. I'm not quite sure what that could be other than covering the strengthened sills? Still, would've thought that it would have proper covers considering it was so late in development.

The EBS conversions had back seats, no roll bar and a different hood, so it's not one of those.

Like many things 480; a missed opportunity and over-caution from Sweden no doubt.

The Saab 900 was US sold and that never had an ugly roll over hoop.

You'd think with the 480 already having two individual rear jump seats, it would make for a great conversion - it even has the two headrest bumps as seen on the Renault 19..... but unlike the R19, no rear seats!





Like Alan said, I think the roof is poorly executed (again, R19 showing how it should be done in my eyes).

With the 480's form for expelling water, makes you wonder how bad the cabriolet would be

The car has been sold and exported to Belgium.