SDVSA SWAP MEET

Sunday, April 21, 1996

by Scott Harrison

     What else could anyone ask for? A warm Sunday morning, fresh sea breezes, bright blue sky and water, deep green grass bordered by white beaches a barbeque and your friends with their shiny Volvo sports cars?! Well I'm sure I might have left some things out, but I'm sure I was pretty close. That was just the beginning to a day to remember for those that attended the relaxing, fun and all day SDVSA swap meet.

     The gathering which was held adjacent to Ski Beach on Vacation Village Island in Mission Bay was another successful event for the enthusiastic members of our club. Members came from allover the San Diego area and as far away as the Los Angeles region. A constant changing of the attendees kept the barbeque, chips, beer and soda flowing until about 3:00 p.m. Individuals, couples and families dropped in to buy, sell and swap parts, advice and tall tales with anyone who would listen and laugh with them. .

     Dave and Dan Palmquist (with friends) from Orange County brought the remaining parts of their 1800 inventory. They're clearing out what's left because they're selling their Volvos and have moved onto purchasing a Mazda RX7 and a classic Lincoln. We sure appreciated them coming down to visit and share their parts and support over the years. We hope that they won't lose interest in the 1800 clubs and will come back someday with some new 1800's.

     The choice of parts varied as usual from Volvo literature, wheels, trim, lenses, steering wheels and engine parts. And the cars varied too from new station wagons for sale to old cherry 1800's, 444'5 and 544's just to look at. The most valuable commodity of all, was the information, phone numbers, referrals and camaraderie that was shared. What a great group of enthusiastic members we have.

     If anything, just getting away from the house (kids, dog, bills, phone, honey-do-lists etc.) and spending a couple of hours driving your treasured car out to visit a gathering of friends once a month, is worth being a member of SDVSA. We missed some of you out there and we're sure that you had a good excuse for not being there. NOT! Don't forget that a swap meet is not just a swap meet. Each event is so much more for everyone (men, women and children) than what it's planned to be. There are always answers to your technical and not so technical questions, new friends to be made and laughs to be shared. Life's too short to just read this newsletter every month and not participate. "Jot our next event on your calendar" and come and join us. They keep getting better all the time!