Be part of the Volvo 480
meet up 2026
22. - 25. May 2026
The international 480 Meet Up
Dear Volvo 480 enthusiasts
This coming weekend is the 2026 International Volvo 480 Meet-Up.
We are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the launch of the 480. This is such an historic occasion and an anniversary that’s well worth celebrating!
Around 190 480s will be joining us from all over Europe at the Cologne horserace track. It’s the biggest EVER gathering of 480s!
To really celebrate 40 years of Volvo 480 in a big way, the 480 Turbo convertible (cabriolet) prototype from the Volvo museum in Sweden will be joining us, together with one of it’s stylists, Cornelis Steenstra. Cor is flying in especially from the USA to join us.
Please be sure to download our updated Road Book using the link below. This document contains essential details and facts about the event this weekend. This year there will not be a printed version distributed, so do please read through it carefully as it contains some really important information.
Please be sure to also remember your event sign up number, as you will need this several times during the weekend.
Also a reminder to bring some cash you, especially some € 10,- notes for admission and also cash for the flea market. At some places there will not be any digital methods of payment accepted.
We are really looking forward to seeing most of you in the hotel in Eitorf on Friday evening, or on Saturday morning from 11.00 at the Cologne-Weidenpesch horsetrack.
We wish all participants a safe and pleasant journey to Cologne and Eitorf.
Please post your photos and videos on social media using the #volvo480meetup and #2026volvo480.
After the event we will create an online folder for everyone to share their images with each other.
We will have an incredible weekend!
Best wishes
Jan – DE
Thijs – NL
Martin – UK
Current status of participants and nations
Our Programme
Friday 22.05.26 - Early Arrival
- In the evening at the hotel
- a first “hello again” at the car park and at the hotel bar
SATURDAY 23.05.2026 - Record Breaking Day
- Start at the Hotel or wherever you are
The Main Volvo 480 Meet-up!
Location: Horse-racing track in Cologne, Rennbahnstraße 152, 50737 Köln, Germany
Time: 11:00 – 17:00 (gates open at 10:30)
- The record-breaking Volvo 480 gathering
- Check-In: Name tags and event wristbands at the entrance
- Goody bag for every car
- Flea market (480 parts)
- Speeches, special Guests
- Volvo 480 Awards
- 17:00 Short Trip to the Dinner location
Let´s have Dinner together
Location: Restaurant Krewelshof in Lohmar, Krewelshof 1, 53797 Lohmar, Germany
Time: 18:00 – 21:00
- approx. 30 min. drive from the racecourse.
- Dinner Buffet (all you can eat)
- Trip back to the Hotel,…
More details, pictures and information about costs can be found in the road book / programme booklet.
SuNDAY 24.05.2026 - ROAD TRIP with the 480s
- Start at the Hotel or wherever you are
Meeting Point “Panarbora”
Location: Panarbora Nature Discovery Park, Nutscheidstraße 1, 51545 Waldbröl, Germany
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
- Meeting at the Carpark
- Impressive observation tower and treetop walk
- 12:00 Roadtrip to next location
Stöffel Park
Location: Stöffel-Park, Stöffelstraße, 57647 Enspel, Germany
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
- Unique open air Museum
- Wild West romantic
- drone footage
- Foto Spot
- 16:00 Roadtrip to Hotel Schützenhof (journey approx. 1 hour)
Dinner: Volvo-Barbeque
Location: Restaurant Hotel Schützenhof, Windecker Straße 2, 53783 Eitorf, Germany
Time: 18:00 – Open end
- BBQ buffet, supported by Volvo Cars Germany
- 80s-90s-Party?
More details, pictures and information about costs can be found in the road book / programme booklet.
MONDAY 25.05.2026 - Return journey
- Monday is the return day for the participants.
- No further programme is planned.
I am Joining... / We are joining...
In order for us to be able to inform the restaurants of the precise number of people for the dinner buffets, and for us to also know the precise number of people joining us for the whole weekend, please fill out the online form. Please complete and submit the form by April 5th, 2026 at the latest.
Please note: We are still waiting for feedback from some participants!
THE VOLVO 480 Awards
We received feedback last year that some 480 awards would be nice. So we are very pleased to announce we have created an international group of 480 experts who will be judging each of the following award categories:
The oldest 480
The date of first registration and the chassis (vehicle identification number) are the key factors in this category. Who owns a true classic vintage 480?
The newest 480
Whose 480 was the last to roll off the assembly line? The jury will look closely at the month and year of construction and the chassis number (vehicle identification number).
The best personalised 480
Whether it’s subtle, unusual, or flashy—everyone has their own personal taste, and that’s absolutely fine. Which personalisation impressed the jury the most?
The best kept engine bay
Only a few kilometers driven, or an engine compartment cared for with lots of love and ice blasting. The jury will take a look under the hood.
Fantastic condition
A top condition original or a high-quality restoration. The jury will decide on the best condition 480.
A personal story: My 480 and I
If your car has a special story for you, please share it with us. We look forward to hearing your feelings and emotions about your car.
The longest journey
How many km / miles did you travel to the 2026 meeting with your 480?
480 Community – Honorary Award
The jury will award an honorary prize to a special person who has made a great contribution to the 480 community.
Lowest mileage
according to the odometer
Highest mileage
according to the odometer
The People’s Choice for the John R. de Vries award
Vote for your favourite 480 of the event
The Judges 2026
Madeleina Schwantes (GER)
Car journalist and 480 lover
Florian Sander (GER)
Technical expert for the 480 and head of 480board.de
Douwe Zijlstra (NL)
Enthusiastic young 480 owner, active in “Dutch 480 Register”
Jeff Longley (UK)
Technical expert for the 480 and owner/keeper of 17 x480s
Host and Presenter:
Martin Percival (UK)
Starting point for the meet-up
The Hotel “Schützenhof“ in the town of Eitorf (Germany, approx. 40km east of Cologne and Bonn) is the starting point for the tours and the „base“ for our meeting.
Hotel
Booking / Reservation:
Bookings to be made individually (everyone by themself) – please contact the hotel via email or telephone.
Keyword: Volvo480
The Hotel “Schützenhof“ in the town of Eitorf (Germany, approx. 40km east of Cologne and Bonn) is the starting point of the tours and the „base“ for our meeting.
The hotel have reserved rooms for us (at a special rate).
ATTENTION: The hotel is now fully booked for the weekend of our Cologne area Volvo 480 event.
The 480 drivers have now taken up approximately 85 of their rooms, almost the entire hotel!
Unfortunately this means that anyone who has not yet booked their accommodation needs to find an alternative hotel in the area. You could try contacting the hotels directly or via one of the hotel booking sites.
single room per night
(incl. breakfast)
88 €
double room per night
(incl. breakfast)
122 €
Hotel Schützenhof
Windecker Straße 2
53783 Eitorf
Germany
Phone +49 2243 8870
E-Mail info@hotelschuetzenhof.de
Camping
Booking / Reservation:
If you prefer to stay in your own tent; there is a campsite nearby.
The campsite „Campingplatz Dattenfeld“ is approx. 12 km away from the hotel.
ATTENTION: The Camping is now fully booked
Please indicate: Volvo 480
Campingplatz Dattenfeld
Zum Hochkreuz 5
51570 Windeck
Germany
Phone +49(0)1575/1068247
Phone +31(0)613/914644
The online registration and sign-up are closed now! Anyone who’s decided at the last minute to join, please send a massage via WhatsApp.
Sign up and Register for the event
Help us
In order to get an overview of the number of cars and people, we ask all interested parties to register and sign up. If you got your registration No. than send uns the „Joining“-Formular.
We will then send you regular updates on the planned programme via email.
Approximately two months before our event, we will send you another form to request more detailed information about your participation. For example, which days you will be there and which meals you will be attending.
However, you should book your hotel or camping reservations well in advance.
Sign up here:
Supported by
Volvo Cars Germany
Volvo Car BV Netherlands
Skandix AG
480 Board
Special Thanks to Private Event Supporter
Without private financial support, this big Volvo 480 Community meet-up could not be organized, successfully hosted and turned into a unique, fantastic experience for everyone.
Special thanks to the private event supporters:
Jan Wichert
If you would also like to support the event financially, please contact the team. All private sponsors ( > 500,- € ) will be listed here (if desired).