volvo prototypes moved to Sweden

Post by **Frits** » 20 Nov 2007 07:22 pm

The picture where taken at the duch volvo (expo?)

I've seen more pictures, but never saved it.

Post by **redline** » 20 Nov 2007 10:09 pm

Chesh740R wrote:I recall a friend of mine had purchased a Cortina with a Vinyl Roof, he didnt much like the idea of the roof so we ripped it off.

It was then we discovered the roof had a whopping great dent in it, and it had been filled in and smoothed off perfectly with........................................................................
Concrete.

in his best dillon from magic roundabout voice

thats really heavy man

I'll get my coat

as I said before vinyl roofs can hide all manner of things

Post by **shimon340** » 21 Nov 2007 03:21 am

when was the dutch expo?

Post by **setsunakaede** » 21 Nov 2007 12:41 pm

Estate was on the show 2 years ago, we had the cabrio last year.
This years car was a rally/race machine I believe, but I wasn't there so I don't know for sure.
Dutch Volvo Classic Expo is every year, somewhere mid october usually.

Post by **shimon340** » 21 Nov 2007 01:14 pm

wow, sounds like volvo supports that show well by showing these cars there.

any more pics of the cabrio? I'm think volvo design heritage attended all three years? last year was the Volvo 363 CS? one privately owned by volvos rallycross driver from Sweden.

volvo build 7 of these. I know someone whose mother crashed one of the prototypes writing it off in holland!!

6 left, one in sweden privately owned and volvo has 2.

Post by **shimon340** » 21 Nov 2007 01:17 pm

hi

which clubs organise that show? couldnt find anything via google.

Post by **setsunakaede** » 21 Nov 2007 01:42 pm

Show is organized by the dutch v44 club, but both the estate and the cabrio were on display of the Dutch Volvo300club. We have a Volvo-employee with good connections in the ranks

The official name of the show is Volvo Klassieker Beurs, but I took the liberty of translating

Post by **Frits** » 21 Nov 2007 03:14 pm

http://www.volvobeurs.nl/

Thats the website, haven't been there either... I was asked to take place with my car, because of drifting/ the 343 turbo build.

I didn't, because I think my car insn't show worth..........

Post by **kaos** » 21 Nov 2007 05:41 pm

Frits wrote:http://www.volvobeurs.nl/

I didn't, because I think my car insn't show worth..........

Nonsense!

every car is show worthy what ever its state.

Post by **shimon340** » 21 Nov 2007 09:56 pm

thanks for the info guys!

the contact for the volvo 300 club must have good contacts at Volvo Heritage!!

Im very glad these prototypes were preserved and moved to Sweden.

I hope some of the later projects which are prob still too secret were also preserved eg Volvos small hatch (fiesta size) the Audi A2 type car plus the V30 based on the mk1 S40.

Maybe the first two never got past the clay model stage but I know the V30s were built and a test programme bagun. Peter Horbury was involved in both those projects. Random fact: he designed the 460 exterior and the 480 interior

In the end, volvo canned the V30 due to investment costs and also there was some concern over getting their entry into a new market right first time. If they didnt, there is the problem that the C30 would have had a tougher time. For example, the 300 series unfortunately had a poor image in the press especially towards the end ie late 80s. Given that the 440 was billed as its replacment, it got negative press or a negative mindset even before it was driven!! I can see volvos concern but.... the 300 and 440 still sold in massive numbers press opinion aside! the 480 which started with a clean bill of health and fresh face didnt sell as expected and also the planned US variant and big earner didnt happen. This lack of sales hindered the targa and cabrio versions..

I'd love to go to that show next year. Shame I missed it this year.

I'll post some pics later of some 480 stuff

Post by **shimon340** » 21 Nov 2007 10:35 pm

spot the 300 series prototype under the cover next to the red 480

Post by **shimon340** » 21 Nov 2007 10:47 pm

Post by MJ » 22 Nov 2007 12:13 am

There was a 480 Cabrio at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC

Pity I blurred the photo

Oh, and it was red, not pink; it's just the lighting

Post by **garethreece** » 22 Nov 2007 10:40 am

Corr blimey thats one nice cabro, shame volvo couldnt of made them rear wheel drive like a proper car

When /where were the top cabro piccies taken? looks fairly recent by the uk plate Disco2 next door.