This war-weary brick was preparing for an epic confrontation at the Sussex, NJ state fairgrounds a couple weeks ago. I wasn’t able to catch the evenings event but spoke with the owner, Joe, and found out this was his third demolition derby with a Volvo 240. He totaled his first 244 but this 245 lived to smash another day after an oil fire put him out in the middle of competition last year. He tells me he makes the entry fee by selling plastic interior parts to bricksters in Europe.
I tried to contact the driver last week to find out how he did but haven’t heard back. Joe, if you’re out there, send us a report!
Last year these 2 gents drove their ‘89 wooden 240 wagon across Europe, clad in nothing but towels.They covered over 4000 miles in 2 months They visited 12 countries, starting in the UK and traveling to Prague, then Stockholm, then back home to Sevenoaks, England. They were on a mission to help fund brain tumor research and they report collecting $5000 for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.
A sauna company helped sponsor the ride so they decorated the entire brick in wood paneling and dubbed it “The Sauna”. They kept the heat on the entire trip even though they made the trip in July and August.
We first noticed something was awry when a faint whiff was detected in the cabin. A whiff in the cabin is not in itself unusual – undesirable yes, but not unusual. The whiff however was quickly identified as burning friction material on the brakes. We stopped (after a fashion and more by luck than judgement) and allowed the old girl to cool before ploddering hesitantly on towards Bormio in Northern Italy through a serious of treacherous Alpine passes.
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We then sauntered off down the pass after a meal, admiring the truly stunning alpine scenery, scraping motorcyclists off the woodwork and listening to Jimi Hendrix at full volume… feeling, all in all, very smug.
That was when the brakes caught fire, suddenly, dramatically.
Using the handbrake to take pressure off the main brakes is only a good idea if you’re handbrake isn’t awful. Ours is.
So, we’re a fire extinguisher down, no sweat. We cooled off for half an hour, enough time for the whole population of Stelvio to mistake Chris for an Italian and then headed off on the rolling roads of Austria, past lakes, twee villages, and interested Austrians who huddled round the Sauna for a picture. Fantastisch.
On the Daily Show last night John Stewart talked the Supreme Court and how the banks have been screwing us. To demonstrate, he forms a corporation out of himself and puts an asset up for collateral for $1,000,000. The asset? A “1984 Volvo station wagon with a Pioneer tape deck.” Then, through the magic of creative corporate accounting practices, he winds up with this gorgeous $10,000,000 flying brick. Sweet!
“I LOVE MY CAR BECAUSE … I have so many fond memories associated with it, and because it has served me so reliably for 30 years and over 300,000 miles. When it was very new, I chauffeured a great world leader around Seattle for several days. It has been on hundreds of fun outings all over the West. We have hauled all kinds of stuff and so many people. It starts in an instant and it has rarely needed repairs. It’s alive!”
After seeing it on The Daily Show, he states:
“Greenie has now served amusement and joy to millions of Stewart’s fans and viewers — in addition to the 300,000-plus miles of service to our family and community. I was happy that Stewart showed Greenie flying toward ‘auto heaven.’ But that won’t happen before many more miles with our family.” Yeah!
Ron Livingston will live forever in my heart as Peter Gibbons from the movie “Office Space“. Turns out, his first car was a brick. Specifically a Volvo 122. That didn’t run.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t get chosen as a runner up for the ipd RWD photo contest. I’m sure they got plenty of submissions. I’ll try not to be bitter by saying that there’s some cool photos in there. I think next year I need to go for the pensive, looking off into the sunset style that won last years contest.
As for another contest I didn’t quite get accepted for, above is a partial header graphic I created for Volvolution community. I put together a mock evolution of the fronts of Swedish wagons. Enjoy.
