Usually, the start of Daylight Savings Time -- after those long, hard, San Diego winters -- brings out the Volvo Vikings in force for the first monthly general meeting. Not so this year, with only 8 attendees. Nevertheless, we managed to get the 60 newsletters prepared for mailing, and made some additions to our Schedule of Events. It was a relatively short meeting, with some of key people missing who usually provide grist to our discussion mill. Mark Jankowski gave us a rundown of his plans for the East County Tour, which, as can be seen later in this newsletter, turned out to be a big success. Bob Skoog’s 50/50 Raffle was not held, so the jackpot remained at $47. 

     The San Diego East County Tour, took place on Saturday, April 19, planned again by Mark and Diane Jankowski. Regrettably, Diane was not able to join us. The participants started to gather at the Standard station on Via Rancho Parkway shortly after 9 o’clock in the morning. Three cars from the OCVC, with Dave Hunt in his 120 in the lead, Ted Brough in his 1800S, and Ben Romero in his 240, traveled about a hundred miles just to get to our meeting place! That’s dedication -- mixed with anticipation of a great Volvo day. We were happy to see Kurt Sievert, our esteemed Membership Coordinator, join us in his red S70, as well as Jake Quimpo and his wife, in his mustard 1800S. The caravan which departed the gas station consisted of three 1800Ss, two 240s, one 120, and one S70. Jeff Perry just missed us, but caught up at Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel, where we made our obligatory stop for goodies and bladder relief. The weather was perfect for a drive in the backcountry, with plenty of sun showing off the intense green of the vegetation in the valleys and on the hillsides, resulting from the recent spring rains. Mark purposely chose a rout with plenty of twisties, making it a pleasure to drive a great, road holding car, including Wynola Road and Banner Grade. We made an extended stop to stretch our legs at the Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs while Kurt, Mark and Jeff ventured off to photograph a bloomin’ Ocotillo (see photo at top). Almost immediately, a great looking 1800E made its appearance, with Gail and Mario Mangano and their cute little poodle, Blackjack. It was a quiet day in the desert town, and we had no trouble being served a very good lunch for 12 happy Volvo fans at the Bighorn Restaurant at the Palm Canyon Resort.

From there we began our climb up Montezuma Grade (S-22). We stopped at a lookout point almost at the top of coming back up across the mountains. From there we had a view of the whole desert panorama, with the Salton Sea forming a line between sky and sand to the east. Starting on page 7, we have coverage in words and some of Ted’s and Jeff’s excellent pictures of this year’s fabulous East County Tour! And, of course, a big thank you goes to Mark and Diane Jankowski for planning yet another great San Diego East County adventure! 

     This year, Dave Hunt and his OCVC are taking charge of the southern California Volvo clubs participating in the 38th Annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Show on Sunday, May 25. The Volvo group will meet behind the Nessy’s Burger Stand (Mobil Station), just west of I-15 on Hwy 76 at 8 am, and then proceed to the Fallbrook High School Football Field on Stagecoach Lane. For more information, turn to Page 3. For more event detail, call (760) 728-1616, or call Dave Hunt at (714) 630-2207.

     Details weren’t available at publication, but check our website for a possible trip to artist James Hubbell’s compound in Santa Ysabel on June 15th.

     This year’s Menghini Winery get together will be an improvised event. Sure, we’ll end up at Mike and Toni Menghini’s apple orchard for our traditional BBQ picnic, but the plans of getting there are still in question. We will meet at our usual meeting place for events in the east county – the Standard gas station on Via Rancho Parkway, just across the street from North County Fair. We’ll have all the details sorted out for the June issue of 1800 NEWS, but in the meantime, the known facts are presented on the next page. Make your plans to join your SDVSA for this 11th Annual classic event on Sunday, June 22! 

     The traditional participation of SDVSA in the ”Back to the ’50s” car show in La Mesa happens on Thursday, July 10. In an effort to attract more participants, we are canceling the General Meeting on the second Wednesday in July (the day before). Come out and join us in La Mesa, at ”All Things Bright and British” at 8401La Mesa Blvd., for a trip along Memory Lane!