Introduced in 1985, but not sold in the UK for another two years, Volvo’s boldly styled 480ES sports coupe was something of a radical departure for the sober-sided Swedish concern.

In fact, the hatchback 480ES was more of a ‘sports estate’ than a conventional coupe, and in both looks and concept recalled Volvo’s P1800ES of the early 1970s.

Beneath the skin the newcomer eschewed Volvo’s traditional rear-drive layout, employing an all-new front-drive platform and Renault’s 1.7-litre overhead-cam engine.

The latter came in three power outputs: 102bhp ‘S’, 109bhp ‘ES’ and 120bhp Turbo.

Transmission choice was limited to an automatic or five-speed manual.

First of the 400 series that later would expand to include 440 and 460 saloons, the 480 was built at the Daf factory in Holland, Volvo having gained control of the Dutch firm in 1975.

Price of the 480SE on its UK launch in 1987 was £10,850.

Production ceased in 1995.

This left-hand drive 480SE was given to the Lips Collection by Vo...