Description

1995 Volvo 480 ES Celebration

Timewarp, Celebration model; number 403 of 480 made; only 30,200 miles with heated leather interior and 2.0 power

Conceived by Volvo to attract a younger audience, aimed more at the Yuppie 25-40 year old sector than its traditional ‘frumpy, middle aged boxy car market’ to quote the press at the time, the 480 was built at their Dutch subsidiary plant inherited from DAF. Volvo built these 400 series cars using a range of proven Renault engines and suspension designed in part by those legends at Lotus. It was also the first front-wheel drive Volvo. This extremely smart example hails from the 480’s last year of production in 1995 (it was introduced in 1986) and is number 403 of just 480 ‘Celebration’ editions to mark the model’s finale and end of production. This remarkable 4-seat 2-door hatchback sports coupe has had just two owners from new (although they were the same owner, business and individual) and covered just over 30,000 miles to date. Finished in ruby red metallic with contrasting ruched grey leather interior it still feels oddly modern and space-age. Sitting low down inside in the supremely comfortable seat, one is immediately aware of how much light and visibility there is to enjoy. Power comes from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine developing 110bhp driven here through standard 5-speed manual transmission which offered a 0-60mph time of 9.8 seconds. We find heated seats, digital trip computer, air conditioning, CD player, 6-spoke alloy wheels and hall marked Celebration plaque. Within the history box file we also find the V5c, owner’s pack and service section showing the car was supplied new by John Morris Motors, Volvo main dealer of South Humberside who carried out the car’s PDI at 13 miles in September 1995 (making it one of the very last) who went on to service it a further 8 times plus one other by Marcus Motors of Co. Galway in April 2020 at 30,170 miles which looks to have included a timing belt change making a total of 10 stamps. In addition, we also find 2 keys, spare and the V5c showing our lady owner as the second owner since 2003, the first being Victor Investments of Grimsby although this was also our lady owner's business. Furthermore, the car has a current, clean MOT valid until August 2022 showing the car has covered little more than 200 miles per annum since 2014, original purchase invoice from John Morris Volvo for £16,575 in September 1995 with optional extras including mudflaps and fitted carpets selected totalling £64 only. There are 18 old MOTs dating back to 1998 when the car had covered just 13,118 miles, service check lists for routine service work and also supporting service invoices from 1999 – 2020 covering both Volvo main dealers and independent garage visits. Recent invoices show car was treated to a new set of Avon tyres and new battery in June 2020 and aforementioned timing belt service in April 2020. An impressive car in super order and a likely candidate to pop into a bubble and look after - there cant be very many in as good condition with such good provenance, low mileage and supporting history. Writing about the demise of the 480 in ‘Car’ Magazine, journalist Richard Bremner wrote of the car's decent power and low weight combination - "This meant there was some danger of a sporty steer — pretty radical from a company that considered having fun at the wheel as acceptable as seducing a nun," he commented. "Good grief, a Volvo worth preserving. And there aren't many of them."

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