Shite Road Test Scans - Austin Ambassador HLS - Rover 2000 SD1 & Saab 900 GLS 1982

[Six-cylinder]

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

[Guest]

I have a 1990 480ES in white.

 

Ooh, snap, I have a 1990 ES in Lavenblau Metallic.

 

 

This is the worst dating site ever.

[Guest]

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.

[Six-cylinder]

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

[Guest]

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.

[Six-cylinder]

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

[Guest]

It looks lovely that. Sadly it looks like it's no longer with us:

 

The enquiry is complete

The vehicle details for D873 CPV are:

 

Date of Liability 01 05 2001

Date of First Registration 29 05 1987

Year of Manufacture 1987

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1721CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Petrol

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour RED

Vehicle Type Approval

Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle

6 Months Rate £112.75

12 Months Rate £205.00

[Six-cylinder]

So this was my smoked silver 480ES I had in 1987....

 

Chris

[Six-cylinder]

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

 

[trigger]

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.

[Guest]

I heart this thread. Chris, your 480s are the dog's. FACT.

[Pete-M]

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.

[Shep Shepherd]

I like the way that this topic has brought out all the Volvo enthusiasts

[dieselnutjob]

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

[Six-cylinder]

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

[dieselnutjob]

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 V6

prior 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 90-150-90-150-90-150

The oddfire PRVs have quite a distinctive noise which some people prefer and others don't

I suppose that the better economy of the B280 came from the more advanced electronic injection

Lastly they modified the camshaft lubrication on the B280 so it didn't suffer the famous rocker arm wear like the earlier engines

[trigger]

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!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Angrydicky]

That is GR8! Thanks

 

I didn't know the talking dash in the MG Maestro was an option as late as 1985!

[VWPowered]

great test that trig

[Shep Shepherd]

MG Maestro as good as GOLF GTI shocker!

[Angrydicky]

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

[Shep Shepherd]

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

[trigger]

Todays shite test scan is for the Daihatsu Charmant 1.3 LC, Which I'm sure Hirst will agree, is GR8 4 DRFTIN

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

They're not particularly great at drifting, they're pretty well-planted to be honest.

[RoadworkUK]

I always thought the Charmant was like a miniature Nissan Laurel. So much chintzier than a Sunny or Corolla.

[trigger]

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Negative Creep]

Hot Hatches

 

The vehicle details for B812 NWK are:

 

Date of Liability 01 05 2000

Date of First Registration 04 09 1984

Year of Manufacture 1984

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1998CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Petrol

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour RED

 

 

The vehicle details for B65 UBM are:

 

Date of Liability 01 01 1987

Date of First Registration 26 10 1984

Year of Manufacture 1984

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1796CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Petrol

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour RED

 

 

 

The vehicle details for B988 ERP are:

 

Date of Liability 01 09 2009

Date of First Registration 25 01 1985

Year of Manufacture 1985

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1781CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Petrol

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour RED

Vehicle Type Approval

 

 

Diesels

 

The vehicle details for E926 ORP are:

 

Date of Liability 01 08 2005

Date of First Registration 10 06 1988

Year of Manufacture 1988

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1588CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Heavy Oil

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour BLUE

 

 

The vehicle details for F273 MJH are:

 

Date of Liability 01 06 1997

Date of First Registration 22 12 1988

Year of Manufacture 1988

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1769CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Heavy Oil

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour RED

 

 

The vehicle details for F147 OWK are:

 

Date of Liability 01 05 1997

Date of First Registration 09 11 1988

Year of Manufacture 1988

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1994CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Heavy Oil

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour RED

Vehicle Type Approval

Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle

6 Months Rate £112.75

12 Months Rate £205.00

 

 

The vehicle details for F622 OKV are:

 

Date of Liability 01 05 2003

Date of First Registration 12 09 1988

Year of Manufacture 1988

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1769CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Heavy Oil

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour RED

 

 

Daihatsu

 

The vehicle details for B680 WKE are:

 

Date of Liability 01 05 1996

Date of First Registration 24 01 1985

Year of Manufacture 1985

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1290CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Petrol

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

 

 

 

What's the betting the Astra died so young at the hands of a joyrider?

[Jon]

Montego in winner shock! It's funny how a good write up from 22 years ago can still make you hanker for something like a Montego, a car that's never really been on my radar, other than the early ones.

 

I think that's what I like about CAR magazine (up to the late 90's) - the autoshite ethos often displayed. Journalists who don't pander to what is perceived to be the best car and offer a valid argument for their conclusions. I'm enjoying reading the 31 issues I found out here (93-95) - must scan Trademe for others.

 

Top work as ever Trig!

[Madman Of The People]

I miss the days when CAR would do straight side-by-side comparasons. in their photos. Things like putting the same object in the boot of each car, so as to give a point of reference when viewing the cargo capacity. And swowing the side profile, front and rear of each car. Today's CAR photographers are just a bit too arty-farty for their own good. What's so wrong with showing us what the car looks like?

[garethj]

My brain has been replaced by Autoshite; reading that TD giant test I was rooting for the Montego.

 

Thanks for the scans, Trig. You're doing a fine service for the world