We were saddened to learn that yet another member of our family of gallant warriors has joined the Volvo Vikings in Valhalla. Although not a member of the SDVSA, John Burleigh was an active participant in the OCVSA, and attended most of our joint activities. John's unorthodox appearance, his sense of humor, together with his "rusty ol' 122", lent a certain charm to our gatherings, and he will be sorely missed!

   On August 8, Bud Hartwell's '72 ES, and the "temporary editor's" '64 S, formed a two-car caravan from under the Grossmont Shopping Center sign, to All Things Bright and British teashop in La Mesa. The reason for our presence was the Back to the '50s Car Show, which is being held every Thursday night, timed to, more-or-less, correspond to the imposition of Daylight Savings Time. We felt rather lonely, expecting to see at least a few more SDVSA members. A very sympathetic gentleman came by, and, realizing our dilemma, offered to bring his '67 122 Volvo by, to swell our numbers. As he left, Randy Blum with his '63 120 wagon, joined us (see photo above). An early '50s Mercury "lead sled" pulled into "our" parking lot, and stopped. We were in the process of telling the driver that is was not a good idea to park in the handicapped slot, because the La Mesa cops enforce the law even after closing hours, when we recognized Gene Bellegarde behind John Lennon sun glasses, in the other seat. Gene apparently decided it was much more fun to do some cruisin' that to join the old Volvo fogies, because we never saw him again. Basilio Osuyos, a long time member of the SDVSA, came by to talk to Bud, but Bud was down the street, looking at the rest of the classic cars with some friends from the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing club. Our new-found-friend eventually showed up in a beautiful, BRG, original, one owner 122S, with about 90k miles on the clock. He said he would come to our General Meeting on the 14^th of August, and join the club. 

   We could have used another body at the meeting, since only nine of us were there. Jeff Perry, our web master, newsletter publisher, and historian, told us that the most popular page on our web site is his 1800 NEWS, March 2001, article on Bob Skoog's Laycock de Normanville overdrive service! 

Kurt Sievert, our membership coordinator,  relayed that the membership in the SDVSA now stands at 72! The economic outlook for the club is also on the mend, according to our treasurer, Bob Skoog. No such happy news from our "parent" club, the national Volvo Sports America (VSA). Our Chapter Coordinator, Russ Orrell, read some disturbing correspondence from the leadership on the VSA, and all is not well with the club. At the moment of this writing, VSA DOES NOT EXIST, as we know it, according to Bob Stein, a seasoned VSA board member. As more details become available, you will be advised through this newsletter. Dave Hunt, president of the Orange County Volvo Club, OCVSA, and also a long-standing member of the SDVSA, won $28 in Bob Skoog's 50/50 raffle. He could use the extra money for all his Volvo projects, but, unfortunately, according to the rules, he had to be present at the meeting to collect the money.

   The VSA/VCOA West Coast Meet was held this year on September 5^th through 7^th in Solvang, CA. This is the 75^th anniversary of the start of production of Volvo cars and trucks, and Volvo Cars of North America forsook all other events to lend its full support to this prestigious convention. Several of our members attended, but our newsletter-printing deadline prevented us from providing any details of their experiences in this issue. We are convinced, however, that the next copy of 1800 NEWS will be filled with glowing reports!

   Coming up, in only another four weeks, is the 5^th Annual Chrysler Speed Festival, now known as the Dodge Holiday Bowl Speed Festival! It will be held on the weekend of October 12 and 13^th at the Naval Air Station (NAS) on Coronado. The SDVSA will participate as a group on Sunday, October 13, when the actual races take place. Last month we established a meeting place, so we can drive into the Car Club Corral, and park, as a group. This information is repeated on the next page. We also tell you how to get entrance ticket and passes to the Corral. You'd better do it now! If you have been reluctant to participate in other club events, don't miss this one! It's not often you can see, and touch (veeery carefully!), multi-million dollar classic cars,…and watch them race, wheel-to-wheel! See you at the races. Participate. You are the Club!!