Most members of San Diego Volvo Sports America pleased with town’s salute

By Jeff Perry

   The community of La Jolla quietly honored the Volvo Car Company by embedding a  chrome-lettered VOLVO automobile badge in asphalt covering Torrey Pines Road, just before the Ardath Road merge.

  Members of the Volvo P1800 car club, SDVSA, were made aware of this new landmark last December when freelance photographer David Hill provided SDVSA historian Jeff Perry with photos of this name-in-asphalt monument.

  Upon seeing these pictures, SDVSA chapter coordinator Russell Orrell proclaimed: “This is a great day for both Volvo and San Diego.  I expect tens of thousands will travel to La Jolla to see its newest landmark.  Ultimately, Volvo and businesses throughout San Diego County will benefit from this increase in tourism.”

  Meanwhile, some club members have openly questioned why they were not 

notified in advance of the dedication.  Stalwart member Bob Skoog was noticeably irritated: “Come on man, don’t they know that Volvo is like the mother country to Swedish Iron enthusiasts?”

  Within the club, there is speculation that the real reason for not giving notification is the underground popularity of the P1800 and its cult-like following. 

  “Many of our cars are daily drivers - some of us haven’t bought a new car in years, if ever.  If we had rolled in for the dedication, fins and all, I suspect La Jollans’ necks would’ve snapped with looks of Who invited the Volvo freaks?” said SDVSA newsletter editor Goran Freske.

  When asked why La Jolla had chosen itself to host this tribute, a member of the La Jolla Town Council, and new Volvo V70 owner, (who asked to remain anonymous) responded,  “Why not?”

  Still, most approve of the location.  “I ask you, what other town and car maker epitomize the yuppie life style?” commented SDVSA membership coordinator Kurt Sievert.

   SDVSA has a membership of about seventy-five, and holds monthly meetings at the San Diego Automobile Museum in Balboa Park.

   Last year marked the club’s twentieth   anniversary.