'Afternoon All
I was wondering recently what happened to the 480 cruise control, and why it is so rare. Was it a testbed only with a handful of factory cars fitted? was it an option for 1 year only? was it just not popular?
Or was it a victim of cost cutting?
Any answers would be appreciated!
Cheers
Ben
What is the story behind the cruise control option?
Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel
What is the story behind the cruise control option?
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Re: What is the story behind the cruise control option?
Don't know the whole story, but you have to remember that back in the 80's/90's cruise and A/C were ridiculously expensive options, typically only fitted to luxury high end cars. I can certain remember people saying "why would I want AC when I can wind down a window?"
My guess would be dropped because it was rarely ordered.
My guess would be dropped because it was rarely ordered.
Re: What is the story behind the cruise control option?
It was only ever an accessory (certainly in the UK) and appears in the accessory brochures from the early 1990s onwards. It was a dealer-fit option I believe. I personally know of only one 480 (a Celebration) with it fitted, although a few more 440s/460s had it.
As Jeff says, it was the early days and I doubt many people wanted it - it would doubtless have been expensive and since such early systems were vacuum operated they weren't very effective at maintaining a constant speed (losing speed going uphill, gaining it going down).
If I ever found one in a scrap-yard I'd certainly be tempted to take it (mind you, the system had a lot of components!) but it would be for novelty/rarity value rather than in the belief it would be of much benefit. Given the radar controlled adaptive cruise control on my V60 I suspect I'd find the 480 system very hard to trust!
David
As Jeff says, it was the early days and I doubt many people wanted it - it would doubtless have been expensive and since such early systems were vacuum operated they weren't very effective at maintaining a constant speed (losing speed going uphill, gaining it going down).
If I ever found one in a scrap-yard I'd certainly be tempted to take it (mind you, the system had a lot of components!) but it would be for novelty/rarity value rather than in the belief it would be of much benefit. Given the radar controlled adaptive cruise control on my V60 I suspect I'd find the 480 system very hard to trust!
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!
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!
- dragonflyjewels
- 480 Is my middle name
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
- Location: Norfolk
Re: What is the story behind the cruise control option?
I seem to recall James getting hold of cruise control and fitting it to his car ??
There is an ex English car in the French club - he came over to Bristol for it because it had cruise control as well as aircon and a sunroof. Very nice !
There is an ex English car in the French club - he came over to Bristol for it because it had cruise control as well as aircon and a sunroof. Very nice !
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
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
Re: What is the story behind the cruise control option?
I have cruise on mine, the majority was removed from a scrap 460 CD, any components that were missing I bought from volvo at a nice cheap price
Volvo 480 Turbo Collection no 329/480.