RE: Shed Of The Week: Volvo 480 ES
Discussion
Rumblestripe said:
Certainly has the advantage of a rather pretty body if rather run of the mill running gear. I do like these, I remember trying one for size back in the day and was disappointed to find that I plain do not fit (I'm 6'2") so bear in mind that the driving position for those of above average height is not ideal.
I'd say these are on the cusp of "classicness" or should that be "classicity"? Dunno, but they are on the cusp of it, you heard it here first.
Waaaaaaaat?! Look at it!!! I'd say these are on the cusp of "classicness" or should that be "classicity"? Dunno, but they are on the cusp of it, you heard it here first.
It's the automotive equivalent of a bulldog chewing a wasp. Sorry, just calling a spade a spade.
Another one here with a soft spot for these - mainly stemming from the time spent in Volvo dealers as a young child interested in cars as my Grandfather and parents between them had about 6 Volvo 340s! I thought they should buy a 480 instead!
They do look cool in black. I did always think the insistence on having a traditional Volvo grille logo hidden away under the bumper was odd though...
They do look cool in black. I did always think the insistence on having a traditional Volvo grille logo hidden away under the bumper was odd though...
benharris said:
... and a pic of the 1.7ES and 2.0ES (when I first bought the 2.0ES, before tweaks):
Random 480 fact: The only reason the car has popup lights, is that it was originally intended to be sold in the US market too and the position where the original prototype had its headlights was too low for the US legislation which was in place at the time. By the time the 480 was launched, complete with pop-ups, the legislation had been withdrawn - not that the 480 ever made it to America, anyway!
Great to see the 480 as shed as it brings back memories of my red es from many years ago. They did look more upmarket than the average motor at the time and despite the reputation for poor electrics mine was not a problem. The handling was not that great and my auto model not exactly rapid but it was a good long distance cruiser and very solidly built. It allowed me to walk away from hitting a tree at around fifty mph but it died in the process. The average car would not have resulted in the same lucky outcome. I must have felt indestructible after that as instead of another ovlov I bought a GTM, mid engined, fibreglass and homebuilt!
dbdb said:
Owner's opinions of the P6000 seems to vary quite a bit from car to car.
They're not generally regarded as ditch finders on the Jaguar XJ either - though most owners would say better tyres are available. On some types of car, P6000s seem to be regarded almost as a dangerous liability! I wonder whether they behave better on some cars through suspension geometry or weight?
My S-Class Merc' came with P6ks. I wanted to change the wheels so bought a staggered set and my tame mechanic shod them with Dunlops.They're not generally regarded as ditch finders on the Jaguar XJ either - though most owners would say better tyres are available. On some types of car, P6000s seem to be regarded almost as a dangerous liability! I wonder whether they behave better on some cars through suspension geometry or weight?
I've driven it for two years and have been considerably impressed with the level of grip offered by the Dunlops.
Unfortunately, the wheels needed a refurb' so I put the original wheels back on the Merc' and I have to say the Pirellis are absolutely woeful in comparison. I would even go as far as to say they are actually a liability and don't even offer much better ride quality considering they've a thicker wall.
Terrific SOTW!
I had a black one just like that in the second half of the 90s. It was my second car and I absolutely loved it. I was young and single and drove all over the UK in it, great memories. It wasn't fast fast but the handling was tidy enough - I don't recall any "moments". Maybe I wasn't trying hard enough.
Some of the features, such as the ability to shut the windows and sunroof from outside the car, have been absent and much missed on all the cars I've owned since.
It had something like 130,000 on it by the time I sold it (for buttons) and it was worn out, although all the supposedly flaky electrics still worked. Apart from a failed alternator it never let me down in five years and approx. 100,000 miles.
And, let's be honest, it's got pop-up bl**dy headlights!
I had a black one just like that in the second half of the 90s. It was my second car and I absolutely loved it. I was young and single and drove all over the UK in it, great memories. It wasn't fast fast but the handling was tidy enough - I don't recall any "moments". Maybe I wasn't trying hard enough.
Some of the features, such as the ability to shut the windows and sunroof from outside the car, have been absent and much missed on all the cars I've owned since.
It had something like 130,000 on it by the time I sold it (for buttons) and it was worn out, although all the supposedly flaky electrics still worked. Apart from a failed alternator it never let me down in five years and approx. 100,000 miles.
And, let's be honest, it's got pop-up bl**dy headlights!
RoverP6B said:
The 480 was quite cool-looking in its time (there's a bit of Ferrari Daytona via Rover SD1 via Rover 800 about the nose, I think), but it was so flimsy, whereas the 340 was quite well-built
Agree, its a Daytona shooting brake. 
My best friend at college drafted the convertible at cov motor panels
http://www.globalxs.nl/home/n/nhpot/480cab.htm
daytona365 said:
Buy this, sort out its little niggles, keep it in a heated garage, or a 'barn', and in maybe 3 or 4 years it'll be worth around 8 or 900,000 GBP's.
From the two options, i reckon £8 more likely.Edited by daytona365 on Friday 19th June 15:42
Always like these, but the 1.7s dont like cold weather, 340 carburettor stopped working on an A9 contraflow on the way to Aviemore due to frozen something/fuels starvation and took a couple of years off my life.
As a practical classic, a great choice assuming rust has not cast its evil spell.
Great shed
edit : ah its fuel injected so no carburettor icing ignore that bit!
Edited by bencollins on Saturday 20th June 10:33
PIRELLI P6000
Those are EVIL.
I had a pair of them on the first 480. Later I switched to BARUM! on the second 480 Turbo.
The eastern block ones had a little less gripp on dry roads but were miles better on a wet
track. With just some morning fog the Pirellis became useless. Never had a jekyl and hide
tire like that again.
And it was not only on the FWD front heavy Volvo, they were downright dangerous on the BMW E30
that we still have today.We changed those to Dunlops and even my dad in law had his new 5series
changed to Dunlops or Goodyears within short notice.
Martin 480 Turbo
Those are EVIL.
I had a pair of them on the first 480. Later I switched to BARUM! on the second 480 Turbo.
The eastern block ones had a little less gripp on dry roads but were miles better on a wet
track. With just some morning fog the Pirellis became useless. Never had a jekyl and hide
tire like that again.
And it was not only on the FWD front heavy Volvo, they were downright dangerous on the BMW E30
that we still have today.We changed those to Dunlops and even my dad in law had his new 5series
changed to Dunlops or Goodyears within short notice.
Martin 480 Turbo
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