THIS ISSUE OF marks the beginning of a period of growth and change in the vintage Volvo scene in Southern California. 

     Dave Hunt’s Orange County Chapter is no longer affiliated with VSA, though we’ll continue to maintain a close association with our good friend and his chapter, and continue to provide space within these pages for his chapter’s news.

     Beginning this month, we’ll also be providing space for news and events from the new Southern California VSA Chapter. SCVSA members should flip to page 7 to see what your chapter’s up to, and for the latest word from your Chapter Coordinator, Ernie Shack.

     In the coming months, we may see the need for 1800 NEWS to evolve into a multi-chapter, multi-club publication serving vintage Volvo enthusiasts throughout the Southland. This would be a fundamental change in the direction of our little newsletter, and we’re anxious to hear the opinions and concerns of our membership regarding such a change. 

     For instance—Jeff Perry, SDVSA Historian, Webmaster, and long-time publisher of this newsletter, has pointed out that January 2006 would mark 10 years of continuous monthly publication of 1800 NEWS. If we were to consider publishing only 6 times a year, like Bill Webb’s former Western States Magazine, then we’d be sacrificing this significant milestone! Please note that we are not considering any such change to the publication schedule at this time; this is just an example of a potential concern.

     There will no doubt need to be more discussion about the future role of our newsletter, especially as SoCal VSA’s membership roster grows. Should we retain our focus on San Diego alone, or should we endeavor to meet the needs of all the West Coast Volvo club chapters? Write us at editor@vsa.org and let us know how you feel.

San Diego Chapter News

WITH FIVE 1800 COUPES, one ES, two 120 wagons, one 544, one 740, and an S70, the June 8 General Meeting at the Auto Museum attracted more local SDVSA Volvos than our recent bimonthly events! In total, 14 SDVSA members attended. Could the promise of Pizza’n’ Videos have had anything to do with it? Three bucks apiece delivered ample pizza per person, together with complimentary SDVSA-supplied sodas and beer! Such a deal!! Visual treats included a short video “slide show” of photos that newsletter editor Doug Gagliardi shot at the recent Julian Classic Motoring Show. Following the success of Rowan Atkinson’s “Mr. Bean” at the last Pizza ’n’ Video Night, Doug also brought claymation from British animator Nick Park and Aardman Studios (best known as the makers of “Chicken Run” and the “Wallace and Grommit” shorts), but on this occasion, our Volvo Vikings had a hankering for much meatier fare. The hit of the evening was a video entitled “Volvo: Blueprint for Endurance,” dated February 1982. From a boxful of VHS tapes the club inherited from San Diego Volvo, this video chronicled the tale of a Volvo salesman and his wife as they built a 240GL rally car using only Volvo parts.

     Now that Dave Hunt’s Orange County Chapter has officially changed its affiliation from VSA to VCOA, you may be wondering where your San Diego Chapter currently stands on the hot-button issue of national Volvo club affiliation. For many months, SDVSA members have been bringing their concerns about VSA

to the Chapter leadership, and our Chapter Coodinator, Peter Webb, has personally seen to it that National VSA President Bruce Potter knows about those concerns.

    For now, San Diego Chapter has officially tabled further discussion while we afford Bruce Potter an opportunity to address the issues that we’ve raised. Peter has spoken frequently with Bruce, and reports that Bruce is open to hearing our complaints, and seems earnest in his desire to prove that VSA can meet our needs. The Spring VSA Magazine has shown an improvement in quality over what VSA has published during the last several years, and Bruce is seemingly working hard to make the national organization more efficient and responsive. 

     In early 2006, we will re-open the discussion, assess Bruce’s progress in creating a “new” VSA, and bring the question of our continued affiliation with VSA before the entire membership for a vote. Your voice will be heard, but if you have a contribution to make to the discussion, we ask that you please hold your comments until then. In the meantime, Peter encourages every SDVSA member to pay their national VSA dues for one more year, and help give VSA a fighting chance to regain their former glory as the preeminent Volvo enthusiasts’ club. Keep up the good work, Bruce!!

     This is the last 1800 NEWS you will receive before the 14th Annual National City Automobile Heritage Day, being held on August 7 (see flyer on page 2). This could be “The Big Show” of the year for Volvos! South County Volvo, owned by Wes Hinkle, is the featured dealer this year, and Volvo is the featured marque, so let’s have a good showing!

     If you haven’t received a complimentary entry form (which allows you to enter your car in the show for FREE), contact Bud Hartwell at (619) 588-2180. We would like to have a nice cross section of classic Volvos there, including Richard Pattee’s TP21, 444/544s, Dave Hunt’s P1900, plus 120s, P1800/1800S/1800E/1800ESs, 140s, 160s, 262s and a couple of variants of the 240. South County Volvo will probably supply brand new or later model Volvos. 

     This is a reasonably-sized show, which takes place on the grass, with plenty of shade trees. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, with live entertainment, and reasonable food and beverage prices. Everyone who has attended this show agrees that it is one of the best in the San Diego area. So, please, if you have one of the Volvo models mentioned above in reasonable shape, consider supporting your club in this event!

     Since there appears to be no VSA West Coast Meet scheduled for this year, some people on the west coast are going to satisfy their Volvo appetite by attending the VCOA National Meet to be held in Kansas City, September 16 through 18. Dave Hunt and the Orange County Volvo Club (OCVC) are organizing a caravan to attend (see page 4), so if you feel like joining the trek, contact Dave at (714) 630-2207. At least one SDVSA member, Jim Barnes, is planning on coming from his home near Arkadelphia, AR.

     And since there is no VSA West Coast Meet scheduled for the foreseeable future, maybe our grill badges from the San Diego Meet in 2004 will be taking on added significance for collectors of Volvo paraphernalia. Check out the ad below to obtain one of these keepsakes!