A Wheels and Wings Update

A Wheels and Wings Update

from Greg Blake

I am happy to report that the Wheels and Wings multi-club outing held on March 22, 1998 appears to have been a success. Three Volvo Clubs met in Orange County on time and with minimal difficulty. The weather was great and El Nino kept his distance.

For many of us the day started at 8:15AM at the La Paz exit off the Five Freeway in southern Orange County. The San Diego Chapter of Volvo Sports America came through with flying colors by dragging themselves out of bed early in the morning to participate in Dave Hunt's "Orange County Wilderness Tour." (Somehow Orange County and wilderness just doesn't seem to me to belong in the same sentence.)

There were times during the planning of this that we wondered if anyone would show up. When Dave, K.C., Julia and I arrived in our respective cars, a couple who drove in all the way from Hemet in their newly acquired 1800ES were waiting for us. That I took as a good sign! Then Bob and Del Skoog arrived and Bob expressed his concern that he couldn't understand why no one had made it to their agreed upon meeting place to make the drive up together. That I took as a bad sign! Then, almost before Bob could finish his sentence, the parking lot behind the Beacon Gas Station filled with Volvos.

By the time we left the gas station at nine o'clock we were ten cars strong. The procession was led by Dave in his P1900 followed by, two 1800ES's, a fine selection of 1800S's and 1800E's and one SAAB Q3 with yours truly taking up the rear in my 1800E. By the way we would have liked to have had two SAAB Q3's there, but "the other one" (as owner Bud Clark said to me) couldn't be there. Talk about a hard time finding parts!

Fortunately the roads hadn't been washed out by the rain. The drive was pleasant and relatively uneventful. Bud's car got a little wave on the way so he pulled over to let it cool off. He waved us all by, but the guilt of leaving him behind overcame me so Julia and I went back to wait for him and Sandy to get back up and running. That didn't take long and we were off again.

When we arrived at Wheels and Wings, Mark the owner, was ready for us. He had a good selection of books on Volvos and the lot that he had reserved for us next to his store was full of cars. There were lots of PI800's, a PV 444, a PV 544 and, if my memory serves me, two 122's. All together about thirty cars. Not bad for what I hope will be the first of many Orange County events to come.

Although a number of people left early, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I trust everyone checked out Wheels and Wings. I know some of you explored a few of the many antique shops in town.

There were some things we could have done better. Some of us went to breakfast at the Elk's Hall around the corner. Mark had encouraged us to eat there and it sounded like a good and charitable idea at the time. I heard that others who attended the meet had a much better idea and drove up to the Orange Mining Company where there is a great view, faster service and undoubtedly better food, although substantially more expensive. Next time I'm with you.

I had also hoped to have a representative from Collector's Choice Toys in Pomona at the meet with a selection of die cast models of Volvos. If any of you have looked, you know Volvo models are difficult to find, and costly. I've been looking for a long time and I was convinced that if I was going to find a model of a P1800 it was going to be in an antique store and made by a company who had long since gone out of business. Then I ran across Collector's Choice Toys at the Automobile Swap Meet in Pomona.

When I checked out their store they had nine die cast models of Volvo cars new and in stock. The selection included, but was not necessarily limited to: 1969 P1800S in two colors, 1972 P1800ES, 1973 144GL, 1950 PV831, 1946-50 PV60, 1964 PV544, 1953 PV445 DUETT, 1953 PV445 VAN, 1957 AMAZON 120, 1969 AMAZON ESTATE WAGON, 1935 P36 CARIOCA. Cost $82.00. These are very detailed and very heavy 1/43 scale models. I think there would have been a lot of interest in these. I was disappointed that they didn't make it. Apparently they had commitments elsewhere.

Nevertheless it is gratifying that so many people came to Wheels and Wings. Dave and I tried everything we could to encourage interest in this event and it worked.

Mark from Wheels and Wings helped us by distributing flyers and getting us mentioned in an automotive events publication. We sent flyers to every Volvo dealer and independent Volvo repair shop we could find and put a flyer on any old Vo1vo we came across in our day to day travels. We even called the Los Angeles Times and The Orange County Register. People came from everywhere, but it was the clubs that came through in a big way. San Diego VSA put us in their newsletter and Bill Webb put us in Western States Magazine. We were motivated!

You see, Orange County is a kind of a no man's land as far as Volvo clubs and related events go. We can go north to events in Los Angeles or south to events in San Diego. We get a lot of information from Western States Magazine, but not much in the way of local information, I real1y like the San Diego Club and the events they Organize as well as the effort that is put forth to get people involved, but again there is no one to share local information regarding parts, repair shops, body shops, upholstery shops and the like. And now that I have had the pleasure of trying to shake the hand of every member of Volvos R Us, I have to tell you that I have heard you were active and I love your enthusiasm, but again, who lives in, services and is restoring their car in Orange County?

I know there are lots of owners of vintage Volvos who live in Orange County Who are you? I'd 1ike to suggest a mailing list or at least a phone list of Orange County locals. It' you are interested write or call me. Besides, Julia goes nuts when I start chasing old Volvos around town trying to figure out who they are. Especially when I'm in my Dodge van. I think she is afraid I'll get shot.

In the meantime Dave Hunt and I want to thank everyone for making this .first event such a success. We especially want to thank Mark Christianson of Wheels and Wings, VSA San Diego, Bill Webb and the members of Western States Magazine and Volvos R Us. I am sorry I didn't get to meet everybody. Perhaps next time. Stay in touch. Greg Blake, 169 North Fir Street, Orange, CA 92868. 714-937-5304. Interested in Volvo books? Contact: Wheels and Wings, 115 N. Orange, Orange, CA 92866. 714-538-0242 mail order is okay. Interested in Volvo die cast models? Contact: Collector's Choice Toys, 104 S. Locust CT., Pomona, CA 91766. 909-865-7110.