Shep Shepherd Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 In common with all big French cars, I find the 604 to be strangely appealing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselnutjob Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 It's quite a bit better than the 604 SL V6.I was thinking that there's something wrong with mine, but maybe not.How can it use more fuel than a Rover V8 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Now, When was the last time you remember seeing a Volvo 480 on a D plate?, I saw a J plate on today in black and they are still a smart looking car, Hard to imagine that they are 24 years old this year! P.S If anyone has any requests let me know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-cylinder Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I can't defend the average drive and poor quality of the 480 but there is something that makes me like them, that’s why amongst my strange mix I have a 1990 480ES in white. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I have a 1990 480ES in white. Ooh, snap, I have a 1990 ES in Lavenblau Metallic. This is the worst dating site ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 These test reprints of yours are awesome Trig. I agree with Six-Cyl about the 480 - objectively its a grizzling pile of bollocks but they're surprisingly satisfying to drive and own. The fact that mine's virtually worthless but can still take major trips in its stride is proving rather copasetic. I've never seen a 480 on a D ; the earliest I've seen is a G plate that was rustier than the Iron Man's cock. 'Your' test car is rather well specified for an ES too - it has the digital clock (extra) push button ventilation (extra) and the auxiliary gauges (extra). I suppose that wasn't unusual though, most press cars are loaded to the gunwales to give the very best impression they can whilst on test. I'm not sure that I agree with Autocar's assertion that it's 'gutless' either. It sure as hell isn't refined, smooth running (or that economical) but mine pulls pretty well for a 128k engine, certainly well enough to see off my mate's ratbag 1600 'on finance' Clio down the local backroads. A relatively low kerb weight by modern standards must help though, evidenced by what SCTSH_ANDY calls a 'pleasing lack of rigidity' to the fixtures and fittings. The quality of the dashboard is pretty shocking for a Volvo now that you mention it - it's hard to believe my car was the 1990 equivalent of £23K - about what a decent 6 month old C30 T5 would retail for in 2011. Some of the assembled competition would absolutely destroy the ES in a straight line though - namely the 1.9 309 GTI and S12 Silvia. I can't imagine it would keep up with the BX GTi either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-cylinder Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Mine is one of the better ones, everything works even if the computer/fuel gauge comes and goes. My wife does not understand it and wants me to sell it. In the eighties I worked for a Volvo dealer and our 1st demonstrator was a D reg. I run three 480’s as company cars the 1st a smoked silver 480ES 1987E then 1988F in black and then in Feb 1989 I got a turbo in light blue met, I loved them at the time. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Mind is one of the better one's, everything works even if the computer/fuel gauge comes and goes. My wife does not understand it and wants me to sell it. In the eighties I worked for a Volvo dealer and our 1st demonstrator was a D reg. I run three 480’s as company cars the 1st a smoked silver 480ES 1987E then 1988F in black and then in Feb 1989 I got a turbo in light blue met, I loved them at the time. Yeah, yours is nicer than mine. The electrics on mine *sort of* work depending on the temperature and how much water is sloshing around the rear tail light clusters. The CEM display often has strops if the temperature is too low but always comes back - it must be a characteristic. Checked the DVLA database for Autocar's D562 DGV to see if it's still alive. Database says nowt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-cylinder Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 This is the 1st demonstrator of the Aylesbury Volvo Dealer in 1987, even then I liked it enough to photograph it when I took it home. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 It looks lovely that. Sadly it looks like it's no longer with us: The enquiry is completeThe vehicle details for D873 CPV are: Date of Liability 01 05 2001Date of First Registration 29 05 1987Year of Manufacture 1987Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1721CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type PetrolExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status UnlicensedVehicle Colour REDVehicle Type Approval Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle 6 Months Rate £112.7512 Months Rate £205.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-cylinder Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 So this was my smoked silver 480ES I had in 1987.... Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-cylinder Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 The world might a well see the last two.....The black one was 1st Aug 1988 and because the 1st was a Sunday I brought it home on trade plates so I could use it on the 1st Aug. The blue one is a turbo, which was great. After this the company decided not to run the 480 demonstrators any more and I had a 240 estate useful but not the same. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Cor, that colour coded one above looks a bit of alright, I sometimes see a late purpley blue one about locally which is pretty tasty as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I heart this thread. Chris, your 480s are the dog's. FACT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-M Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I like that the 'rival' Rover SD1 V8 is described as having good economy. A manual SD1 V8 is capable of rather good mpg for its time. I've had over 30 mpg on a run, without trying, from a Vitesse. Can't get that from a 2.8 Granada. I really do need to get the 604 sorted this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shep Shepherd Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I like the way that this topic has brought out all the Volvo enthusiasts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselnutjob Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I really do need to get the 604 sorted this week. turn up the speakers on you computer and watch this then you'll sort it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-cylinder Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I have only ever driven a 604 V6 once and loved it. I know the engine well from the Volvo 260/760, in Oct 1987 the Volvo 760 received an improved engine freer revving, quieter, smoother, better mpg and 170bhp, shame the Peugeot never lasted for this upgrade. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselnutjob Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I have only ever driven a 604 V6 once and loved it. I know the engine well from the Volvo 260/760, in Oct 1987 the Volvo 760 received an improved engine freer revving, quieter, smoother, better mpg and 170bhp, shame the Peugeot never lasted for this upgrade. Chris that was the B280 which was an evenfire PRV. They had offset crank pins to acheive 120 deg firing like a normal V6prior to that Volvo and Peugeot used the B27 and B28 engine known as the oddfire.As the earlier oddfire engines were basically a V8 with two cylinders missing the firing went 90-150-90-150-90-150The oddfire PRVs have quite a distinctive noise which some people prefer and others don'tI suppose that the better economy of the B280 came from the more advanced electronic injectionLastly they modified the camshaft lubrication on the B280 so it didn't suffer the famous rocker arm wear like the earlier engines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 The year is 1985 and it's the dawn of the hot hatch era, Your 25 and have saved up enough money to go out and splash it all on the sporty version of your mum and dad's car to impress the LAYDIES with, You've narrowed the choice down to three, but which one will it be?, The Funky Maestro EFi with a talking dash?, The dependable VW Golf GTi or would it be the fresh faced Astra GTE?... You decide!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrydicky Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 That is GR8! Thanks I didn't know the talking dash in the MG Maestro was an option as late as 1985! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VWPowered Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 great test that trig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shep Shepherd Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 MG Maestro as good as GOLF GTI shocker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrydicky Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 MG Maestro as good as GOLF GTI shocker! I'd love an early MG Maestro in pale blue with red trim and a talking dash. When I can afford the insurance I think I'll take the plunge, would make a great cruiser I reckon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shep Shepherd Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 MG Maestro as good as GOLF GTI shocker! I'd love an early MG Maestro in pale blue with red trim and a talking dash. When I can afford the insurance I think I'll take the plunge, would make a great cruiser I reckon I'd like a really early (Y-reg) MG1600 in either Opaline Green or Silver Leaf, if only for the rarity value Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 Todays shite test scan is for the Daihatsu Charmant 1.3 LC, Which I'm sure Hirst will agree, is GR8 4 DRFTIN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 They're not particularly great at drifting, they're pretty well-planted to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadworkUK Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 I always thought the Charmant was like a miniature Nissan Laurel. So much chintzier than a Sunny or Corolla. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 Today we have a turbo diesel group test from CAR magazine, 1989 featuring the Rover Montego DL Turbo - Audi 80 Turbo D - Citroen BX DTR Turbo - Peugeot 405 GTD Turbo. enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Creep Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hot Hatches The vehicle details for B812 NWK are: Date of Liability 01 05 2000Date of First Registration 04 09 1984Year of Manufacture 1984Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1998CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type PetrolExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status UnlicensedVehicle Colour RED The vehicle details for B65 UBM are: Date of Liability 01 01 1987Date of First Registration 26 10 1984Year of Manufacture 1984Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1796CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type PetrolExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status UnlicensedVehicle Colour RED The vehicle details for B988 ERP are: Date of Liability 01 09 2009Date of First Registration 25 01 1985Year of Manufacture 1985Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1781CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type PetrolExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status UnlicensedVehicle Colour REDVehicle Type Approval Diesels The vehicle details for E926 ORP are: Date of Liability 01 08 2005Date of First Registration 10 06 1988Year of Manufacture 1988Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1588CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type Heavy OilExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status UnlicensedVehicle Colour BLUE The vehicle details for F273 MJH are: Date of Liability 01 06 1997Date of First Registration 22 12 1988Year of Manufacture 1988Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1769CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type Heavy OilExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status UnlicensedVehicle Colour RED The vehicle details for F147 OWK are: Date of Liability 01 05 1997Date of First Registration 09 11 1988Year of Manufacture 1988Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1994CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type Heavy OilExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status UnlicensedVehicle Colour REDVehicle Type Approval Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle 6 Months Rate £112.7512 Months Rate £205.00 The vehicle details for F622 OKV are: Date of Liability 01 05 2003Date of First Registration 12 09 1988Year of Manufacture 1988Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1769CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type Heavy OilExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status UnlicensedVehicle Colour RED Daihatsu The vehicle details for B680 WKE are: Date of Liability 01 05 1996Date of First Registration 24 01 1985Year of Manufacture 1985Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1290CCCO2 Emissions Not AvailableFuel Type PetrolExport Marker Not ApplicableVehicle Status Unlicensed What's the betting the Astra died so young at the hands of a joyrider? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now