UK Launch Cars

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
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Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Sat Nov 07, 2020 6:56 pm

I thought I'd try and keep a list of the few UK launch cars that we hear of here.


The two known survivors:


******************************

D864 CPV (previously owned by me, James Carruthers; now owned by Keith Cooper, not on the forum)
chassis number 507167
Image
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=35477

******************************

D828 CPV (owned by me, James Carruthers)
chassis number 507274
was registered A1 JOO and then D101 DWP before returning to original registration
Image
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=35570



******************************

Owned by forum member Rob Marshall/"triumphtoledo"'s mother from 1989 to 1993. It was the WA Lewis Telford or Shrewsbury demonstrator.:
D808 CPV
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1121
Image
Image
Image


******************************

Owned by forum member Andy/"gingerheed", broken for spares and shell scrapped, tailgate lives on Keith Cooper's car!
D707 CPV
engine possibly still in Southampton
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4845


******************************

Spotted at 2002 UK Meeting (first UK meeting of this club, organised by Dave Slater/"dbsvolvos":
D838 CPV
Image
http://www.volvo-480-europe.org/clubdat ... 812-UK.php


******************************

D*52 CPV from a UK car magazine
. will add pic at some point when I find the magazine again!


******************************

D900 CPV
Image
https://www.psychoontyres.co.uk/worth-g ... lvo-480es/


******************************

D753 CPV
Image

******************************

D873 CPV
Aylesbury demonstrator
Image
https://autoshite.com/topic/7820-shite- ... ent=214072

******************************

D562 DGV
Image
https://autoshite.com/topic/7820-shite- ... ent=214041

******************************

D740 CPV
D738 CPV
Imagephoto sharing
Image
Image

******************************

Video c/o Brinkie of UK test cars, which apparantly are not the UK launch cars but were specials sent over from NL and possibly destroyed
https://youtu.be/TVM6H0UyVUo
Last edited by jamescarruthers on Mon Nov 09, 2020 9:47 pm, edited 31 times in total.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

Alan 480
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Location: Aberdeen

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by Alan 480 » Sat Nov 07, 2020 7:03 pm

all those broken headlight lift motors........ :wink:




amazing that they survived
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

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

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by MisterH » Sat Nov 07, 2020 7:46 pm

I do love that we know of these cars, sometimes I dream of opening up a barn and finding several, covered in dust just waiting for me... :cheers:
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:34 pm

Edited first post to add
D*52 CPV
D900 CPV
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by MisterH » Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:46 pm

https://www.alamy.com/volvo-car-dealers ... edoptin%3D


Here is one to add, D753 CPV, last on the road in 2002 :cry:
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:52 pm

Thanks. Edited first post to add D753 CPV.

One more to come when a friend sends me a better copy of this
Imagephoto sharing
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Sat Nov 07, 2020 9:11 pm

Edited first post to add D562 DGV and D873 CPV

D652 DGV on test:
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Sat Nov 07, 2020 9:31 pm

Video c/o Brinkie of UK test cars, which apparantly are not the UK launch cars but were specials sent over from NL and possibly destroyed
https://youtu.be/TVM6H0UyVUo
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sat Nov 07, 2020 9:47 pm

This got me sufficiently intrigued to spend the last hour trawling through DVLA records. I started at
D680CPV, which was an Austin.
D688CPV Austin
D689CPV - no details
D690CPV - red Volvo 1721cc reg May 87 so the batch starts either at 689 or 690

then the end:-

D948CPV - red Volvo 1721cc reg May 87
D949CPV - silver Volvo 2849cc so the batch ended at 948 - only 259 records to check !

Starting back at the beginning I've got as far as D806CPV, all the ones that have records are red Volvo 1721cc, all registered May 87. Totally bored now, but I'll probably carry on tomorrow if I've spare time. Latest survivor I've found so far had MoT to 2008. Shortest life shows last tax expired Sept 1987.
Last edited by dragonflyjewels on Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by MisterH » Sat Nov 07, 2020 11:37 pm

dragonflyjewels wrote:
Sat Nov 07, 2020 9:47 pm
Shortest life shows last tax expired Sept 1987.
Last one could be transferred to a personal plate perhaps? They did come in around that time I seem to remember...
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

User avatar
dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sun Nov 08, 2020 9:07 am

I dont know how long the dealerships would have kept their launch cars? I wouldn't think a private plate would go on until it was sold.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:06 pm

edited first post to add D740 CPV and D738 CPV.

Slight better pictures here of them but I can't add to the first post now because the forum software hates me and keeps locking me out!

Imageimage of a safe
Image
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by MisterH » Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:24 pm

Why is this thread making me drool?
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

User avatar
dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:36 pm

I've finished trawling through dvla, and sorry to say Keith and James own the only 2 launch cars with a current MoT :cryhard:
I was hoping that there would be at least one or two others driving around that we didn't know about.

The 259 breaks down as follows:

78 no record - presume dvla have been told they're broken OR they've moved onto a private plate
177 last taxed anytime up to 2013 (bizarrely the one that's tax expired then has no MoT history online :? )
1 declared sorn - obviously not many people knew about this although it came in in 98.
1 broken by forum member
2 alive and well

Only 2 of the 177 had an MoT history (most dropped off the radar around 98 - 03, before MoT's went online). Both of these had a fail before the final pass which showed fairly serious corrosion

So, there should be 178 in store somewhere :lol: I'd think it's more like 8 at the very most ! Makes me realise how very lucky James was to chance on D828 CPV.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:41 pm

This must have took up loads of your time. Thank you Sylvia. I presume you have square eyes now.

I guess the next great hope is the SORNed car turning up?
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

User avatar
dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:58 pm

I wouldn't hold your breath on the sorned one James, it had no mot history so unless that's another quirk, it's been sorned at least 14 years. How long was yours in store for ?
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by MisterH » Sun Nov 08, 2020 9:41 pm

I have said before on here that there is very much a chance for more survivors out there, as cars do fall off the radar and resurface, I have said about the shed of invisible quattros in Newbury before, the DVLA doesn't know about them, but really well done for the internet detective work, that is true dedication! :cheers:
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:52 am

dragonflyjewels wrote:
Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:58 pm
I wouldn't hold your breath on the sorned one James, it had no mot history so unless that's another quirk, it's been sorned at least 14 years. How long was yours in store for ?
Yes, its unlikely, you are right.

Mine was las on the road in 1998 and MOT'd again in 2018:
Image
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by jamescarruthers » Mon Nov 09, 2020 6:29 pm

edited first post to add D808 CPV pictures captured from Rob Marshall /"triumphtoledo"'s home videos from 1992!
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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

Re: UK Launch Cars

Post by MisterH » Mon Nov 09, 2020 7:22 pm

jamescarruthers wrote:
Mon Nov 09, 2020 6:29 pm
edited first post to add D808 CPV pictures captured from Rob Marshall /"triumphtoledo"'s home videos from 1992!
but are you sure it was from 1983?

that would make her the first ever 480 owner anywhere...
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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