Artwork by Chris G Smith
It was a hot (96 degrees) spring afternoon in the lake country of central Florida where our group of Volvo enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Florida Chapter of VCOA. Site #1 at Trimble Park in Mt. Dora was the selected location for its Oak tree shaded hammock nestled on breezy Lake Beauclair that provided a large pavilion with seating for 100 people, restrooms and playgrounds nearby and plenty of parking. Dave Montgomery, Chris Short, Charlie Pardee and Louie Bouchelle, the four founding members of FL VCOA, were on hand for a special photograph.
Dave Montgomery, Charlie Pardee, Chris Short and Louie Bouchelle
Fifty two Volvos were on hand for the celebration of which 45 officially registered, including one 2010 Volvo VNL670 model semi-truck; a first for FL VCOA. It was quite a selection of Volvos with the older RWD and the newer FWD/AWD models, many of which were highly modified. The crowd was a good mixture of members representing VCOA, VSA and the Florida Volvo Community.
We’d like to thank Clive Dowdell, our webmaster, who shot a lot of photos to post to the FLVCOA.org website. Thanks also to John Martin of CFL VSA for e-blasts to VSA members, Chris Smith for designing the artwork for the event flyer, Chris Short for designing and obtaining the trophy plaques and Robert Cardwell for getting the word out to the Florida Volvo Community.
Barbara Falcone and Lynne Thomas sold the 50/50 cash raffle tickets and the amount of money raised was the largest we have ever had; Jose Burgos was the lucky winner of the drawing.
Tricia Rose baked delicious peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies and handled registration. Susan Laboy handled the tabulation of the votes for the People’s Choice awards. Zach Berry brought giant square-shaped gourmet donuts from Valhalla Bakery which were a huge hit with the members.
Susan played a game of Who has owned their Volvo the longest? with Louie Bouchelle being crowned the winner. He bought his 1800S new in 1965, in Savannah, Georgia and still drives it today; it still looks and runs like it did when it was new.
The People’s Choice winners were Emory Cantrell with a 1971 Volvo 142S for favorite RWD
and Michael Jingle with an electric blue 1997 Volvo 855 Turbo for favorite FWD/AWD.
The voting was very close in both categories. The Oldest Volvo belonged to Kermit Wilson with a 1964 PV544,
Bill and Tricia Rose drove their vintage Volvos, a 1971 1800E and a 1967 132, 210 miles from Naples and shared the Longest Distance traveled award.
With any event, contributors who donate prizes are always very much appreciated. FCPEuro was very generous with multiple $50 gift certificates, Rock Auto supplied a $25 gift certificate, and VSA provided certificates for two memberships. Auto Clinic of Naples, Inc., Hemmings, Chris Short, John Martin, Charlie Pardee, Clive Dowdell and myself brought additional prizes.
It felt like an old homecoming with so many faces, new and old, getting together to celebrate this milestone 25th anniversary of FL VCOA; a wonderful afternoon spent with old friends and new in our shared love of Volvos.
Dave Montgomery and Tricia Rose
