May 2004 1800 News

Volume 13

May 2004

Number 5

Maybe it was the promise of a hot pizza or entertaining videos, which attracted twelve members and three guests to attended the SDVSA General Meeting on April 14^th.We did have time for the pizza but only a short video, starring Clive, the very talkative and loud Volvo crash test dummy! Planning for the VSA National West Coast Meet, being hosted this year by the SDVSA on September 10 through 12 right here in San Diego, took up most of the meeting time. One of the guests was Fred Neubecker, who represented Wes Hinkle’s San Diego Volvo. We heard rumors that the dealership wants to have a prominent role at the meet, and we welcome that development. Jeff Perry’s flyer, containing general information and the meet application, was submitted to VSA before the deadline of April 9. Kurt Sievert has been put in charge of promotional products gathering (door prizes), and commitments of support by commercial establishments. If you can lend any help, please contact Kurt at the addresses in ”The Box” on the Schedule of Events page. The final design for our 2004 West Coast Meet T-shirts was voted on, and Randy Blum will forward the information to the artist. Randy also arranged for a salesman of caps to come to the meeting to display his wares and give us ideas about prices. Gene Bellegarde, our SDVSA West Coast Meet coordinator is still looking for members willing to donate some time to making the arrangements for this important event. If you can help, please come to the SDVSA General Meeting so we can agree on the exact definition of your task.

It promised to be a beautiful day as we gathered at Crown Point in Mission Bay Park for Mark Jankowski’s famous San Diego East County Tour on Saturday, April 24. Mark was in constant contact by cell ’phone with Gene Bellegarde, who had volunteered to guide the ”North Contingent” of Volvoites from the Chevron station at North County Fair to Crown Point, even though he couldn’t join us for the remainder of the tour. Many thanks for that,Gene! While Gene was guiding two 240s and one 1800S southwest to Mission Bay, another three 1800s, two 240s and a bright red V40 converged at our traditional swap meet stomping grounds. About fifteen minutes past ten, we shoved off for the mostly-freeway drive to the Olympic Training Center on the shores of the Lower Otay Reservoir. The place looked deserted, even the souvenir shop. The athletes must have weekends off! The stifling morning sun made us happy to get back into our cars, generating our own breeze,

driving along the lake and the very interesting Telegraph Canyon Road, east to Campo Road (Hwy 94). As we wound our way south on 94, the anticipation of our international adventure rose with every degree indicated on our Volvos’ temperature gages. Tecate, USA, usually hot and dusty, presented its best face to us as we parked the cars in a supermarket lot for a small fee. In walking across the border into Tecate, Mexico, we didn’t raise a damp brow, even after the eight-block trek to the Moctezuma Beer Gardens. Because of Mark’s careful planning, we gained entrance, though the facilities were reserved for special events. After a long rest, a promotional video, and a complimentary can of Tecate cerveza, we made our way through the shady main plaza, to the bakery. Feasting our eyes on the immense variety of baked goods, and purchasing some samples, we made our way back to the border. Then it was on to lunch! After backtracking a bit on 94, we arrived at the Barrett Junction Café, where everyone was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food, especially the ones who ordered fish. By the time we were through stuffing ourselves, it was getting on to 3:30, and everyone made their way home, with new memories of another successful Mark Jankowski East County Tour! In addition to planning this tour, Mark has kindly submitted a more detailed account of the proceedings, starting on page 7.

Don’t forget the 39^thAnnual Fallbrook Vintage Car Show on Sunday, May 30, with the Southern California (SDVSA, OCVC, So. Cal. VSA) Volvo contingent coordinated by Dave Hunt and his OCVC. We will rendezvous at the northwest corner of the intersection of I-15 and S76 (Pala Rd.), by Nessie’s Burger stand (Mobil Station), at 8:00 a.m. An application to the show appears on page 2, if you want to enter (write in ”R” for category), or otherwise just come to enjoy friends and one of the oldest and best car shows in San Diego County!

The next scheduled SDVSA event is our participation in the San Diego Auto Museum Car Club Council’s Car Show ”Auto Museum on the Lawn” on Saturday, June 5. You’ll find the entrance form with info on page 3. An entrance form for the Westside Volvo Car Show (June 13) is on page 4.

Our main event in June, however, is the 12th Annual Menghini Winery Picnic and Horseshoe Tournament on Saturday, June 19. More details about that in the June issue of 1800 NEWS, but please make your plans to attend now!!!