The Octobers 11 General Meeting was almost upstaged by Joseph Lieberman and his entourage, competing for precious parking space in the Pan American Plaza. Fortunately, the vice presidential candidate did not arrive until our meeting was over, and most of the 11 members attending our gathering were gone by then. A thing to remember in the future for all our members; if a major event is taking place in Balboa Park on our meeting night, we are allowed to park our cars behind the Auto Museum.

Speaking of politics. The ballot for National VSA officers will arrive soon in your copy of S.E.ES. It is important for us living in isolation on the West Coast to have capable local representatives on the East Coast-dominated VSA Board. Thus, SDVSA is joining with the other local West Coast chapters of the VSA in encouraging you to vote for the following classy Classic Volvo veterans;

Karl Grimm – has been a member of the VSA and local chapters for about 15 years. He is the original owner of a master’s ’70 E, and an avid supporter of local and national VSA activities. He has also been a concourse judge for about 10 years. Karl has attended two East Coast meets, taking his E to one, as well as to 15 West Coast meets!

Cal Terry – is currently a member of the SDVSA, and has been a member of the VSA and other local chapters for about 15 years. Cal owns a white master’s class ’72 ES, which he has entered in 12 West Coast meets. He has also served as a concourse judge for about 10 years.

Art Banks – is an active member of the VSA board, with his term expiring 12/00. Art has a 20-year history of involvement in the VSA and local chapters, including current membership in the SDVSA and the new OCVSA. He has driven his master’s class ’71 E, and his beautifully restored red ’73 ES, to 5 national East Coast meets, and all West Coast VSA conventions since 1982! He has also been a concourse judge for about 10 years and East Coast Concourse Captain for the last two years.

The Vintage Auto Expo 2000 USA was a long title for not much ado. We had hoped this second effort at the reenactment of the famous Paris Retromobile

to be even bigger and better than last (the first) year. It is an excellent concept, but its promotion and execution leaves something to be desired.

But, as always, the 4^th Annual Chrysler Speed Festival more than made up for our disappointment in the Expo. As Brad Benson said, drooling over a $2 million original Ferrari Testarossa (one of THREE of which actually took part in the races), you really need the whole two days to take it all in! In spite of unsettled weather and competition with the VSA/VCOA West Coast Meet on the same weekend, we had ten participants associated with the SDVSA.

It seems like only two of our SDVSA 1800Ss from the San Diego area ventured up to the VSA/VCOA West Coast Meet in Sacramento. Dave Hunt reports, however, that his group, the OCVSA, managed to amass eight cars, some of whose owners also belong to the SDVSA. Dave provides his account of the meet on page 5. Our own Jeff Perry managed to get some of his photographs from Track Day ready in time for his article on page 7. Thanks to you both.

Art Banks – not surprising to anyone who just read his credentials above - is the main organizer of our novel November event, the Anniversary Lunch at Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano, scheduled for November 18. This event promises to be a Volvo extravaganza extraordinaire! – but we are counting on your participation. More details about this, once in a lifetime, event on the next page. Be sure to RSVP by Monday, November 13!

December’s General meeting takes place on the second Wednesday, as usual, which happens to be on December 13, after our monthly events. So make sure you carefully read the announcement about the SDVSA Christmas Party on December 9 (page 3), because that is the only notice you will receive!

December 13 also happens to be Lucia Day in Sweden, so we might have some surprises for you at the last regular meeting of the year 2000 - and of our SDVSA Twentieth Anniversary year.