If you haven’t been to Bahama Breeze for lunch or supper and there is one in your area, you need to go. On May 18th, the Florida Volvo Community had a meet at Bahama Breeze in Tampa and there were 44 Volvo’s registered and over 90 people. Almost all models of Volvos were present with half of them being rear wheel drive. We are starting to see more of the front wheel / all wheel drive Volvo’s at each meet. The weather was great and the food was fantastic. Jose Leboy, the Bahama Breeze area manager and 164 Volvo owner, put on a spread that any meet would love to enjoy plus he kept us in water and soft drinks during the event.
The oldest Volvo there was Chris Smith with his black 1965 122. Chris does our flyers and this is the first time award for him at a Volvo meet.
Jose Laboy won the longest distance and people’s choice award with his gold 1973 164.
I think we are going to start having two people’s choice awards, one for rear wheel and one for front wheel drive. John Martin, from VSA Florida, was very involved with this meet and the prizes he brought to the meet were greatly appreciated plus John’s help in organizing the event. Tricia and Bill Rose were helping in all areas from parking to registration to MCing the event plus they drove up from Naples in two vintage Volvos. Although Jeannine and Clive Dowdell were at Carlisle, their help in keeping our website up to date and sending out reminders about the meet were very helpful. I can always count on Chris Short for registration material and coordination plus Gay Montgomery is always there helping with registration.
It helps a meet tremendously when sponsors donate prizes and without Volvo of Clearwater, Volvo of Tampa, Freeman Volvo of Tarpon Springs, Auto Clinic of Naples, Rock Auto, Dan’s Volvo Service, I Roll Motors, VP Auto Parts and Volvo Sports America, the Bahama Breeze Volvo meet would not have been the success it was. Look at the Florida VCOA website, flvcoa.org, for pictures from the event thanks to Ralph Porzio and John Martin. We also have a 50/50 drawing which Mark Capwell was the winner.
Dave Montgomery
