Fifteen members and one guest remembered to attend the SDVSA special General Meeting on March 12. Even though we had an extraordinary amount of business to take care of, we completed the agenda in record time, anticipating hearing vital VSA information from our special guest, Art Banks. In addition to being appointed National Chapter Coordinator by Jon Keebler, president of the VSA, Art was also appointed Vice President! There are only about 1,300 members left in the VSA, after reaching a high point of almost 3,000. Art attributed part of the decline in membership to the attrition rate of older Volvos. Recent internal squabbles among the leadership and members of the VSA didn’t help matters, either. The main expense of the national club, as is the case for SDVSA, is the publishing and delivery of their newsletter, V.S.A. The plan is to reduce the annual cost of printing and postage from $35,000 to $25,000, and all the while, improving the quality of the content. Struggling with getting the local 1800 NEWS published on a monthly basis, no one knows better than we what challenges lie in wait for the VSA! For us out here on the west coast, the most crucial issue facing the SDVSA in relation to the National VSA has become the million-dollar insurance policy, which covers all our “sanctioned” events. Art is going to clarify the concept of “sanctioned” events, and exactly what is required of the VSA chapters, in order to qualify for the insurance, and then publish the official policy for all to know. In the new scheme of things, we also requested that the VSA board of directors be the only ones to authorize new chapters or disenfranchise existing ones. We want to thank Art for coming all the down from Bakersfield to provide us with a chance to connect directly with the VSA. Art was gracious and maintained his dignity and poise in the face of sometimes-heated discussions.

     We want to emphasize that the past problems of the National VSA has very little to do with the daily running of SDVSA. Don’t be discouraged, all you 69 current members, and keep on giving the San Diego Chapter your great support which has kept our club viable for most of the past 23 years! 

     Don Pertchuk’s name was drawn in Bob Skoog’s 50/50 Raffle. Had Don graced us with his presence, he would have left the meeting $47 richer! 

     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. This year’s plans call for exploring the area around the Borrego desert. Turn the page for further information! 

     The Auto Museum Car Club Council (CCC) plans to hold their annual Car Show on Saturday, May 10. (See page 3). It’s called ”Auto Museum on the Lawn”, and this year it is going to be held on the lawn of the Hall of Champion rather that in the hot Auto Museum parking lot. Although our participation is not SDVSA sponsored event, we would like to have as many Volvo models as possible there to represent our Volvo club. We would especially like to see 444/445s there, and maybe even a P1900 or a TP21, or both, if we are lucky! If you don’t want to commit yourself in advance, you can show up Saturday morning between 7:00 and 9:30 a.m. and register at the ”door”. The entry fee might seem a little steep, but remember, the CCC is our first line of defense against overzealous state legislators who want to eliminate the old car hobby and our old(er) Volvos! 

     On Sunday, May 25, there is the 38th Annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Show & Swap Meet (look for details in the flyer in next issue of 1800 NEWS). Dave Hunt and his Orange County Volvo Club (OCVC) are planning to sponsor the Volvo contingent this year. Come out and show your Volvo spirit in this collection of mostly Detroit iron. 

     Last but not least, and better late than never! Starting on page 7, we have coverage in words and some of Ted Brough’s excellent pictures of this year’s fabulous Temecula Valley Wine Tour.