THE 1997 WEST COAST CONVENTION!

[By Paul Stutrud]

Well, it's over but the shouting. The 1997 All Volvo Car Convention and Concours was another Success in every aspect except financially (that's another story). Everyone had a great time. There was a plethora of door prizes and some very special raffle prizes. Volvo Corporation donated a fantastic off-road bicycle. IPD was very generous. sponsoring the Friday Evening Reception (great food!) as well as providing some nice door prizes. Smythe Volvo donated a certificate for Driving School and Pennzoil Products (Rich Ramirez) donated a nifty little radio controlled race car. Tom Hill of the Arizona VSA donated a gift certificate for his after-market products and Matt Dillon of Revolvstore in Tucson Arizona also donated door prizes. Unfortunately Matt had an engine fire the day before the meet so he couldn't make it in person. On the following pages we will try to cover all the generous donors but right here and now, we want to thank all of our contributors for helping make this 17th annual affair a success. THANK YOU

One individual in particular needs to be seriously acknowledged for all of her hard work and energy into making sure this event happened. Carron Rauch has been the spark plug of many, many of our conventions. There is no way to thank her enough, except that when you see her, let her know her efforts were well appreciated. If you have never been involved in putting on something like this you have no idea what it really takes. It takes a very special person like Carron {and Dave too!). She kept me on my toes and pointed in the right direction, making sure the bases were covered. If I was in private business, I would hire her in a minute and pay her top salary .

I also want to Thank Jon Manji. He did the layout and graphics for the dealer- flyers and he built all of the A-frame concours markers that were helpful in arranging the cars. Russell Craig also needs to be recognized for all he did in rounding up door prizes and working in the background.

Of course, Bill and Kathy Webb have been the continuity for all these 17 years of conventions. Giving credit where credit is due, looking back over all of those years, we wouldn't be enjoying these annual affairs if it wasn't for Bill and Kathy taking the initiative and keeping it going.

Cyndi Andrews is a fixture (nice looking one too) in the Volvo club. She was a founder of the San Diego VSA Chapter and is on the National Board of Directors. She knows what it takes to put on a convention. In fact, tentatively, she will be the hostess next year (with the sponsorship of Pat Preister (way up in Oregon)). What a pair to draw to!

And then there is Irv Gordon! What a guy! Talk about a Mister Congenial. a Mister Volvo and a goodwill ambassador! This is the man! We were lucky and very happy to have him show up again. He was here in 1989 for the first time and I think we impressed him with our western hospitality Or maybe it's our "better" show of cars. We always look forward to seeing him and hope to see him next year .

Have to say some more about Pat Preister. He kind of reminds me of Dean Martin. He Is a natural emcee and certainly livens up that part of the evening where everyone focuses on the podium and the people up there.

Another man who needs recognition is Ed Schuler the convention photographer. Please note that Ed is making arrangements for reprints from this event and past conventions. You will note an ad at the bottom of the page

PHOTOGRAPHY!!! Ed Schuler is taking orders for prints from the latest West Coast Convention/Concours back to the mid-eighties. Winner's Circle and various other Volvo events. For more information call Ed at (805) 736-5020