October 13 &14, 2018, Ft Lauderdale, Florida
The Fall Volvo enthusiast meet for SW FL Chapter of VCOA in conjunction with the CFL Chapter of VSA was held on the weekend of October 13 & 14 in the Ft. Lauderdale area. The two day event started off on Saturday at the Thunderbird Swap Shop and Drive-In Theatre. 15 Volvos and about 25 members made their way to the Swap Shop’s covered parking area for the event. Even Joel Stein of Volvoville 1800 convertible fame made an appearance albeit without his Volvo. The weather, although sunny, was hot and humid. This made the air conditioned two story mall on site the place to escape the weather and see some really interesting sights. Several members enjoyed a beer or two in an attempt to beat the heat.
The group of members at the Swap Shop covered parking area
The Swap Shop has been an amusement fixture in the Ft. Lauderdale area since the 1960’s. This sprawling 88 acre complex features a Drive-In theatre with 14 screens, a huge flea market with over 2000 vendors, amusement rides, video arcade and two story air conditioned mall with international food vendors. It opens every day in the wee hours of the morning with the flea market set up in front of the movie screens. By 7 p.m. the flea market is broken down and the Drive In opens to the viewing public. It is quite a feat that happens every day of the year, rain or shine. Oh, and did I mention the late Preston Henn’s Ferrari and IMSA racing car collection on display? Over $100,000,000 worth of exotic beauties to fawn over, even one driven by 7 time Formula One racing champion Michael Schumacher. We thank James Quinlan and John Martin for arranging our visit.
Swap Shop showroom
I can only describe the Swap Shop as a “trip”. Drop your car off for tires and a window tint, and while you wait mosey on over to the Tattoo Emporium for the tattoo, body piercing or teeth grill you’ve always wanted. Need a quick disguise? Visit the wig vendor, sunglass vendor and clothes vendors for that quick change look. We can’t forget the food…Cuban, Greek, Italian, Caribbean food and according to VCOA Member Ginger Nuesser, the best fried chicken she has even eaten. Toto, you are not in Kansas anymore! People of all different nationalities can be seen and the music of different languages fills the air.
Members of the public enjoyed seeing the varied collection of Volvos on hand…1800’s, 120’s, 240’s, 740’s, Polestar and R cars and even an XC90 thrown into the mix. Up for grabs was a trophy for “People’s Choice-Favorite Volvo”, sponsored by the Auto Clinic of Naples, Inc. Members of the public were invited to cast ballots. This turned into quite the battle for supremacy as four cars tied for the lead with four votes each. They were Dennis and Barbara Falcone’s (root beer, maroon, hard to describe the color) 1971 1800,
Jose and Susan Laboy’s golden 1973 164E,
Rich and Marilyn Nelson’s newly restored Safari Yellow 1970 1800E,
Chris Short’s ever popular blue 1968 122S.
The tie breaking vote was cast by the trophy sponsor, Bill Rose, who chose Jose and Susan’s 164E for its rarity and quality of craftsmanship.
At the close of the event we lined up for a Volvo parade to travel to Bahama Breeze in Sunrise where Jose Laboy and John Martin arranged for dinner, thankfully in the indoor seating with air conditioning. The Volvo parade to the restaurant was not without its dangers. Drivers in this area can be kind of crazy and poor Jose had two near misses with a driver who couldn’t decide whether or not he was in the correct lane to make the exit ramp, cutting across the nose of Jose’s 164E twice within a half mile. Thankfully we all made it to the restaurant in one piece.
Unfortunately, Bill and I had decided not to stay the night in Ft. Lauderdale to attend the Drive In movie Saturday night, but I’ve been informed the movie was lightly attended, perhaps due to the heat and activity of the day. The Sunday activity was planned at the F.A.T. Village Arts District for a gathering of Cars Arts and Caffeine. A handful of our members turned out for this. We were provided with our own area to park thanks to John Martin’s efforts. We look forward to seeing everyone again in the spring to celebrate The Florida Chapter of VCOA’s 20th anniversary.
Submitted by Tricia Rose, SW FL VCOA, Chapter Coordinator
