The two of us who arrived at 6:30 for our Pizza ’n’ Video General Meeting last month were worried for a while that we were going to be the only ones there. It was the tail end of the first real winter storm of 2003 that we feared would keep the members away. But slowly, the Volvophiles wandered into the meeting room, until there were 12. A little rain could not keep Dave Hunt from his promise to personally deliver a video shot and edited by Ted Brough. And what an interesting video it was! It covered several Volvo events, and the grand finale was the April 2, 2002, appearance of Irv Gordon, and his 2,000,000 mile 1966 Volvo 1800S, on Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show! After the video, plenty of pizza and libations, we didn’t care if it rained or not on the drive home.

     On the subject of the P1800, check out a 2-page segment from the “I ROLL!” article that starts on page 7. It’s from the February 1961 edition of SPORTS CARS ILLUSTRATED, courtesy of member Scott Harrison. Interestingly, the original timeline called for delivery of the first P1800 production cars in late 1958.

     The first SDVSA event for 2003 was the Temecula Valley Wine Tour on Sunday, February 23. Del Skoog succeeded in making it better than ever! This time the attendance left no doubt about the popularity of this event. Twelve cars participated - and they were all Volvos! We had six 1800s, two 120, and four 240 – and a lot of nice people who represented the SDVSA, OCVC and So. Cal. VSA. The first winery on Del’s list was Filsinger. We paid them a visit and had our picnic lunch there in 1998. They had a surprising selection of wines for such a small establishment, more than we remembered – and most were excellent! The new winery on Del’s list was the Palumbo Family Vineyard and Winery. This young family just got their start in the business, and, as the name implies, make all their wines from their own grapes, grown on the surrounding property. It not surprising that they had only three wines to sample – all reds. They were of excellent quality, but could spend a little more time in the bottle. The third winery was the old Temecula Crest winery, but under new ownership. It is known now as the Falkner Winery. It was definitely a little more upscale that the other two,  with a huge selection of both reds and whites. By this time the Volvinos 

were famished, and Del’s masterful planning included having our picnic lunch in the park-like setting of the Falkner Winery grounds. This year, all the wine at all three wineries were superb - and comparatively inexpensive because of the worldwide wine glut we’ve been hearing about on the news. All the participants on this excellent tour appreciate the great effort, which Del had expended, and we all want to thank her profusely! 

     Now get ready for another interesting and educational San Diego East County Tour, coming up on Saturday, April 19, and hosted again by Mark Jankowski. If you’ve participated in Mark’s previous tours, you know he is a master at sharing his vast knowledge of the backcountry in San Diego County. Turn the page for this year’s early plans. 

     Although the SDVSA has no sponsored event in March, we want to encourage our SDVSA members to participate in the Southern California VCOA Picnic on Saturday, March 15. A flyer for this event is presented on page 5. Also, don’t forget the Annual VSA So. Cal Chapter Westside Volvo Swap Meet on Saturday, March 22. Plans for that enduring Volvo happening appear on page 6.

     With our new policy of sponsoring an SDVSA event every other month, May is excluded, too. However, there is certainly no lack of car club related activities that month. The Auto Museum Car Club Council (CCC) plans to hold their annual Car Show on Saturday, May 10, in the museum parking lot. We would like to have as many Volvo models as possible there to represent the SDVSA. And on Sunday, May 25, there is the 38th Annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Show & Swap Meet. Last year, the appearance of the SDVSA was a flop. This year, Dave Hunt and his OCVC might have a go at it. We’ll provide further details as these dates draw nearer.

     There is also talk about two car clubs displaying 6 or 7 cars each day that the San Diego County Fair at Del Mar is open this year. How do you feel about the SDVSA participating? 

     And, finally, the California State legislators are at it again! Look on page 9 to find out what they’re up to.