Yyg850c
Joined 17 May 2020
Latest comment: 7 months ago by Mr.choppers in topic Volvo 480
Volvo 480
editI saw you added some interesting information regarding the 480 in Japan - do you have any references or recommendations for further reading? I'd love to see more. Thanks, Mr.choppers | ✎ 02:08, 1 April 2024 (UTC)
- Hi, most of my information on the Japanese 480s has been gathered online over a number of years. Most literature that I used was old brochures and press releases found in PDF online. That being said, a lot of info as well as pictures have been gathered in this thread on the Volvo 480 owners forum: https://www.volvo-480-europe.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=36952&p=229316#p229316
The Japanese market 480s were very much forgotten and not talked about until I started doing research on them. Of the 300 that were sold in Japan, my estimates are that around 10 or so remain in existence.
- I didn't know the Japanese 480s had lower power than the standard Turbo, so appreciate the info! Yyg850c (talk) 17:39, 1 April 2024 (UTC)
- I can shed light on one more interesting detail (tell your forum friends): Japanese taxes (and a host of other things like insurance) are based on engine size and external dimensions. We all know about the kei cars, but there is also a gigantic leap of cost of ownership between compact and large cars. Large cars have codes beginning with "3" on their license plates, compact cars begin with a "5". To be considered "compact", a car has to meet the following conditions:
- engine under 2,000 cc
- length under 4,700 mm
- width under 1,700 mm
- I can shed light on one more interesting detail (tell your forum friends): Japanese taxes (and a host of other things like insurance) are based on engine size and external dimensions. We all know about the kei cars, but there is also a gigantic leap of cost of ownership between compact and large cars. Large cars have codes beginning with "3" on their license plates, compact cars begin with a "5". To be considered "compact", a car has to meet the following conditions:
- The width is the only thing which would disqualify the 480, as it is 1,710 mm. This explains why the importer used the earlier, narrower side strips and deleted the bumper inserts - bringing the width to 1,695 mm. I am not crazy: Ford's Japanese importer Kintetsu Motors used a giant press to gently squeeze the fenders of the Mk3 Ford Cortina, as it was 1,702 mm wide.[1]
- PS: via the forum I found a pic of a JDM 480; the license plate is 500-series so it supports the <1,700mm notion. Mr.choppers | ✎ 02:58, 3 April 2024 (UTC)
References
- ^ Burgess Wise, David (October 2001). Ford at Dagenham: The Rise and Fall of Detroit in Europe. Breedon Books Publishing Company Ltd. p. 177. ISBN 978-1859832684.