by "BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
Published 04/29/2017 at 15:28
by "BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
Published 04/29/2017 at 15:28
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STARS: 9
I went to wash my car, because I was growing quite tired of re-reading and re-writing some semi-bullshit paper to prove my writing skills (I’ve already proven those last year with a paper on a topic I did do actual research on), and because my car was quite dirty. Behold what I found:
A herd of Volvo Shooting-brakes! A 2010 Volvo C30 D2 (not a 2 cylinder, but a 1.6 turbo diesel with 114 hp) and a 1996 Volvo 480 GT 2.0 to be more precise (and a bonus XC70, Ford Ka, and Fiat Nemo). While I like the C30, I must say out of the two I prefer the 480, partially because it was mostly designed and built here in the Netherlands, and also because pop-up headlights. Fun fact about the 480 is that it was intended mainly for the US market, but that it was never sold there due to quality issues, fear that Americans would find the design too extreme, and an unfavorable exchange rate at the time.
Also, the Twingo is nice and shiny again:.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
04/29/2017 at 15:39, STARS: 0
There used to be a 480 in my neighborhood that I haven’t seen in a while sadly. It always stood out from the crowd.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
04/29/2017 at 15:46, STARS: 3
That’s a shame. I see them from time to time, but seeing one together with a C30 is a rare opportunity.
The 480 is one of those cars I already liked, and started liking even more once I heard the backstory of it. The design, for example, was mainly done by two Dutch guys, and was chosen of designs by Bertone, Coggiola and Volvo’s Swedish design department. The funny thing is, one of those designers used to be head of Daf’s racing division, and the other mainly designed city busses, so you wouldn’t expect them to be able to out design a big name like Bertone.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
04/29/2017 at 15:53, STARS: 1
Very oppo worthy!
That’s quite an interesting story. Thankfully they chose the quirky look. Wasn’t the 480 produced at the Volvo plant in the Netherlands? Maybe I’m completely off though.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
04/29/2017 at 15:59, STARS: 2
Yep in Born, where Mitsubishi used to build Colts and Smart For-fours, and VDL nowadays builds Minis for BMW.
Coincidentally, my dad had to work on installing part of the production line there back in 1986, and he claims he saw it before it was presented, not sure what month it was though, so he might mean seeing it before it went on sale.
"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
04/29/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 1
Dayum, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 480 in person. I want one so badly, though.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/29/2017 at 16:21, STARS: 1
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
04/29/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 1
So I wasn’t wrong haha.
In the age of no smartphone or compact cameras companies didn’t really have to worry about leaked designs.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
04/29/2017 at 17:57, STARS: 1
Yes indeed, I just asked him, it was even december of 1985, and it just stood there inside at the entrance of the building. I suppose a general ban on cameras on the factory terrain was enough back then. So as long as nobody of the press got in there, the design was safe.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
04/29/2017 at 18:18, STARS: 2
The 480 looked great but wasn’t all that fun to drive. My brother had the 1.7 it was introduced with and that one really was underpowered. No idea if the Turbo got it somewhat more alive. Best of the bunch still is that Twingo though!
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
04/29/2017 at 18:41, STARS: 1
Yeah, from what I gather online it is a bit of a sheep in wolves clothing.
Sometimes I’m thinking it’s time to move on from the Twingo, since I’ve already got it for 4 years, and I could afford something better now. But everytime I drive it, it is able to make me smile, even if it is just due to the silly speed it is able to take roundabouts with, now that I sort of know how far I can push it. I think I can never sell it, haha.
"Enginerrrrrrrrr" (Enginerrrrrrrrr)
04/29/2017 at 20:14, STARS: 1
I had never heard of the 480 until Volvo’s 90th birthday video and man I’m so sad they didn’t sell here. I would be out hunting one down right now...