Hello Everyone

Welcome to our first proper issue of what we hope to be a regular bi-monthly newsletter.

Happy New Year to you all but trouble is it’s pay membership time again so download a renewal form from the website if you need one www.volvoenthusiastsclub.co.uk but I will of course include a form to the people who wish to receive their copy by post but many thanks to the one’s registering to get your newsletters by email it will save money for the club. And it would also save a lot of time on printing, folding putting in envelopes, sealing them up and putting stamps on.

The response to the Taster Newsletter has been really good and we have some things inside sent in by members which may be of interest to you all. Thank you all who have sent items in. For a newsletter we need news Please send it to me Gillian vecnewsletter@hotmail.co.uk

Next time I hope to have something about Fuel Additives so if you have anything about this please send it in so it can be included

Also any comments on the MOT problems its’ important to all of us

In fact anything you think may be of interest

Gillian:  vecnewsletter@hotmail.co.uk

Help Needed!
Member Sam in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire needs assistance in finding a Volvo Fitter/Engineer.

Mr & Mrs I Q Salmons, 12 Eastbourne Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, PE16 6SP  Member 2916 SY

I run a 1989 240 GLT Auto Estate as an everyday vehicle.  I love this particular model, but am not very happy with the garages etc in the local area who I pay to look after my car. I live in the Chatteris area of Cambridgeshire. Is there anybody in the East of England who can recommend a Volvo Fitter - Engineer. If so please ring Sam on 01354 695673.

Club Contacts:

Newsletter: Email:  vecnewsletter@hotmail.co.uk

Post:
Gillian Naylor
3 Royds Avenue
Bailiff Bridge
Brighouse
West Yorkshire
HD6 4EG

BRISTOL CLASSIC CAR SHOW

April 21st – 22nd  2012 we are having a stand at the above
once again more details nearer the time just mark your diaries

NEC CLASSIC CAR SHOW

November 16th – 18th we will be having a stand once again more details nearer the time just mark your diaries

SPRING GATHERING 20TH MAY 2012

David Foxley has sent this in so I hope as many as possible turn up. It is of course for any member from anywhere in the country all welcome:

I have made a booking for the Spring 2012 Southern Get Together. It will be at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke
on May 20th.
We have met there before, so some people should remember it, but the last time was Spring 2006. The museum opens at 11:00, so I suggest a mid-day start; so that we can get things set up before the multitudes come flooding in. As for previous events, all VEC members will get free admission to the museum and Colin has promised all members a free drink and cake on arrival.
Access to the museum is good. It is close to either junction 6 or 7 of the M3. The museum is dedicated to the history of life in Hampshire, which includes two significant heavy vehicle manufacturers. Thorneycroft who used to make Lorries and buses just across the road from the museum and Taskers who made steam engines in Andover. There is a good display of vehicles from both companies, so plenty for petrol heads, diesel heads and steam-buffs. Follow the link for more information:
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/milestones
Please can anyone planning to come to drop me a message at davidfoxley@yahoo.co.uk
This will give me an idea of how many parking spaces we need to allocate.

Shows/ Gatherings 2012
It’s been suggested that a number of Gatherings are organised at various Car shows to enable people to meet up. If you know of any places any where let us know and we will send out the details in each newsletter.
Tatton Park in Cheshire has been suggested as a venue How many are interested?? Please let us know as it needs to be booked but we need approximate numbers to what size area we need this will go for any other places put forward I will try and put a list of suggestions in each newsletter so people can see where and when and let us know if they are interested.

Trafford Centre Manchester March 24/25th an indoor Show for Clubs if anyone interested in this please contact and let us know as its no use booking if no one going to turn up.

MOT Problems
This is from David Foxley and something for a lot of us to be aware of:

You remember the problem I mentioned previously about the MOT for my car. Well, there is an issue here that might catch more of us out. What happened is this:

1.         When I got my car home from the test, I found that the new MOT had been dated to 12th December 2012, whereas it should have read January 9th 2013.

2.         I contacted the garage to find out why they had not dated the new MOT to start when the existing one expired. They said that the MOT computer system did not recognise my car, as the chassis number was only 5 digits (as will all 1800s be) and not      6. They therefore had to issue the certificate as if the car was being tested for the first time! This was a big surprise as there has never been a problem before, and the computerised MOT system must have been in operation for at least 5 years.

3.         I went back to the garage and they issued me a new certificate with the correct expiry date in January 2013. They told me that they had to go into the system manually as the MOT computer would not recognise my car.

4.         Today I received a letter from DVLA regarding "inconsistencies" in the registration details of my car, asking me to fill out a questionnaire with the chassis numbers as listed on the MOT certificate and the V5C, and also as stamped on the car body. They said that until this was done, the MOT test details regarding my car would not be shown on their computer system. They said that if the inconsistencies could not be sorted out, then I would have problems registering the car (and presumably    insuring it).

You can imagine my surprise, as I have owned the car for nearly 14 years, and have never had a problem before. The V5C has always shown a 5 digit chassis number, even the new one that was issued a few months ago. I can only presume that this number has been in the system since the car was first registered in 1967. Nowadays all cars have a 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which presumably incorporates the manufacturer's chassis number. When 1800s and Amazons were first registered, everything was still done manually through the local licensing authorities. All manufacturers must have issued their own chassis numbers and used their own numbering systems for this. I can only presume that in the last 12 months, the MOT system data base has been set to need the last 6 digits of the "chassis number". I will find out if the problem has been resolved when I go to reinsure the car towards the end of January.

I shall keep you up to date on this, and would be interested to know if anyone else has had the same problem.

Regards
David

Proposed Closure of DVLA Local Offices

The Department of Transport announced plans to close all 39 local offices by the end of 2013 centralize the services offered at DVLA, Swansea with communication mainly online methods.
Minister Mike Penning said: Centralizing the DVLA services is the first crucial step towards making more of its transactions available online allowing people to deal with the DVLA at their chosen time and place. This will mean quicker turnarounds to meet customer’s needs??
In reply Labour Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle said: Ministers must now explain why they believe that closing down the entire network of DVLA offices and centralizing services will make it easier. And can they demonstrate what steps they are taking to ensure continued access to services for those who don't have internet facilities or need face to face assistance..,
The consultation on this subject is open until 12th March 2012 Correspondence to:
Corporate Affairs Directorate
D16 DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL

Just a comment on this as some of you know I am Deaf and use a special Typetalk telephone I had reason to phone the DVLA at Swansea last week using Typetalk and I tried for over 40 minutes when they answered it came up as symbols etc when I looked up what was wrong it said the other end (Swansea)had turned their special code off and it would not work - Gillian

Public Consultation on Historic Vehicles MOT Exemption/FBHVC MOT Survey
The possibility of exempting certain groups of vehicles from the requirement to have an annual MoT test has been under discussion since the end of 2010.
The Department for Transport issued a public consultation paper in November which included a proposal to exempt pre-1960 vehicles (historic vehicles) from testing. The full text of the consultation, together with a pro-forma for responding, can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-27. The document sets out 4 options:

No change

The closing date for responses is 26 January 2012. In completing the pro-forma respondents are required to explain the reasons for their preferences.

The FBHVC wants to seek the views of its members before responding to this consultation. As time is limited the only practical way to obtain this information in time is by means of an on-line survey that addresses the key questions raised by the consultation.

The survey that has been set up for FBHVC by the Historic Vehicle Research Institute outlines the DFT proposals and should take no more than five minutes to complete. It may be submitted anonymously and can be found here. The survey is open until 10 January 2012.
This is an important consultation for all owners of historic vehicles so please take time from your Christmas festivities and complete the FBHVC survey and also, if you so wish respond direct to the DfT.

This was sent in by member Paul Cassell

Government slashes motoring red tape
Drivers are to be released from excesses of red tape currently required by government, Transport Secretary Justine Greening has announced.
As a result of the ‘Road Transport Red Tape Challenge’ the government-wide process to get rid of unnecessary, burdensome and overcomplicated regulations, the Department for Transport is:

• Scrapping the regulation requiring motorists to hold a paper counterpart to their driving licence by 2015.
• Improving the regulation surrounding the notification process for vehicles that are not in use on the road (Statutory Off Road Notification or SORN). Once drivers have notified the DVLA that their vehicle is SORN, they will no longer have the burden of annual SORN renewal.
• Only issuing hard-copies of V5C vehicle registration certificates for fleet     operators when needed, with the potential to be rolled out to private motorists.
• Removing the need for an insurance certificate. The Department for Transport will work with the insurance industry on removing the need for motorists to have to hold an insurance certificate.
• Abolishing the requirement for drivers to prove they have insurance when applying for road tax meaning 600,000 more people will be able to tax their car online. This has been made possible by new checks of existing databases for insurance under new Continuous Insurance Enforcement rules. The DVLA’s records are compared regularly with the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to identify registered keepers of vehicles that appear to have no insurance.
• Abolishing the regulations regarding the treatment of lost property on buses. Bus companies currently have to wait 48 hours before they can throw away perishable items left on the bus.

More information at:
www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

The 2011 Classic Motor Show
Celebrating 50th Birthday of the Volvo P1800

SPARES
Just been given this contact for spares of the older Volvo cars
Tony Barrett
0208 525 7283
SNOW BOOTS
This has been recommended by Russ Evans we might all need them soon no matter what you drive:
www.snowchains.co.uk

VOLVO P1800E ON GOING RESTORATION

Hi Gillian
 
Thanks for your letter and information on the proposed changes to the MOT,  I am sure it will make little difference to the 1800's
last thing we need is more expense in the present climate. 
 
I have recently re-joined the VEC Club after an 18/19 years absence, some kind person kept good records as I have been re-issued
my original membership number.  The car I own is a Gold P1800E and at the moment it is under a full restoration like you and Geoff
I am doing the work myself.  

POTTED HISTORY
The last time the car was taxed and used daily was 1993,  in 1990 I received Best Car at Keswick ( Northern Day Out) and the following
year same show Runner Up, but had  more success at the Volvo Caravan & Camping Section gaining a 1st position.
 
During 1992 I had to rebuild the engine and managed to do 4,000 to 5,000 miles before a shock absorber broke through the front cross
member at which point I decided to lay the car up for what I thought would be a short time.
 
By next February I hope to have the car ready for a complete respray and then re-assembled by summer fingers crossed.
 
 
Not sure if any of the above information is of use to you, attached are some photographs of my progress.

 
Roger Parish
sre.parish@talktalk.net

Can someone help!
Here is a letter from Sam a member in Cambridgeshire:
I run a 1989 240 GLT Auto Estate as my everyday vehicle. I love this model but am not very happy with the garages etc in my local area, who I pay to look after my car.
I live in the Chatteris area of Cambridge.
Is there anybody in the East of England who can recommend a Volvo Fitter/Engineer.
If so please ring Sam 01354 695 673

VEC NEWS November 2011

As you probably know the VEC club that was founded and run by Kevin Price was re-launched in January 2010 as VEC 2010 with Colin Hughes and his son Robert taking care of the day to day running. But keeping contact with everyone is time consuming and as they are both in full time employment it has become almost impossible. 
A Newsletter needs NEWS so please anything you think will interest others, stories about your cars, pictures, and reports on shows you have attended. Please tell us what you would like to see, it’s your club and your newsletter so please tell us. I am hoping to have a regular For Sale/Wanted page.  If you have an article you’d like included please send it through.

I have no experience of this sort of thing so please bear with me but from January 2012 I hope to do a Bi-Monthly newsletter via email or in the case of no internet access by post keeping you informed on what is going on in the club.
My name is Gillian Naylor and along with my husband Geoff we may have met some of you when we have attended meets with our white P1800 which we restored ourselves.

Shows/Meets for 2012 do you know of any good shows where we can have a club stand and meet up? I am based in West Yorkshire so could someone from other area’s help with this.

What are your views on the new MOT regulations coming in January? Geoff doesn’t think it will effect the P1800’s too much but will probably affect the 120, 200, 700, 900 series. Let me know your views and I will try to put some comments in the next newsletter. I have included a copy of the new MOT standard on the next page it was It was in the November 2nd issue of Classic Car Buyer who have kindly given permission to copy this for you.

Please contact me with your thoughts, stories & ideas etc to
E-mail
vecnewsletter@hotmail.co.uk

Or Post:
Gillian Naylor
3 Royds Avenue,
Bailiff Bridge,
Brighouse
West Yorkshire
HD6 4EG

VEC NEWS October 2011

This is just a brief update of events and matters arising throughout the year.

Most of this has already been posted onto our web site, The web site has had a major overhaul thanks to the efforts of Trevor in Manchester (that’s not his surname), and although we have changed the “front end” the older material is still there, but now achieved.

Bristol was a great success again this year and one of our exhibits (a P1800 that had been restored over the last 10 years) received one of the coverted “Red Rosettes”,

Our stand reflected a day at the seaside, complete with sandpit and a Punch & Judy show. We only had space to exhibit 2 cars on the stand, the P1800 mentioned above and Colin & May Tatlow’s PV.

My son Robert managed to buy a 240 saloon at the onsite auctions, so it was fortunate that we only used one car to travel down in. Our current fleet stands at 13, despite losing 2 as write-offs following traffic accidents.

In that respect you may like to know that Kevin recently (21st October) has a serious accident which resulted in his 850 T5 being written off. Thankfully both he and his passenger escaped injury, but as the police officer attending the incident said “Thankfully you were in a Volvo, or I dread to think what would have happened”

In the rush to clear up after the Bristol event, I managed to bring home 2 bags of rubbish, which meant that I had therefore thrown away our kettle, tea cups and supplies in error!!!! 

We had a number of membership enquiries from the event which have been followed up.

We have managed to secure a number of new members, but as is the way of all clubs, we also had a few that choose not to renew their membership this year. Membership is slightly below its 2010 level.

We did not have a “National” event this year. As you will recall the aim was to have a Southern national this year and a Northern national in 2012. We did find a number of locations where we could have operated from, but sadly could not find enough members who wanted to attend.

We still plan to have the 2012 event, so please let me know if you will support one!!!

Coming up we have the Bristol Restoration Show, 5th and 6th November 2011. Once again Kevin will be running this event with assistance from Colin and May Tatlow. Please go along and give them your support if you are free that weekend.   
 
Classic Car Show, NEC Birmingham Friday 11th – Sunday 13th November 2011. Set up from Thursday 10th. This years’ theme is “family” and with it being the 50th year of the launch of the P1800 in the UK our stand will be centred around a family group of 5 or 6 P1800s, at least one Amazon and a Volvo Lowrider.

VEC NEWS Issue 2 August 2010

Here we are again with Issue No. 2, who said it wouldn’t last?
So what’s new? Well we did go to the Bristol Classic Car Show and our stand had the “Yellow Brick Road” from The Wizard of Oz as its theme, complete with the Lion, the Tin man (galvanized of course to Volvo standards) a yellow carpet  and a yellow taxi, to name just a few. Photos are on the website.
A last minute change saw us reversing our display to accommodate the wishes of some traders but by 10.00 am on the Saturday morning we were ready for action.
Kevin’s convertible PV445 took centre stage and received lots of attention and many photographs were taken by professionals and the public The car itself was highly praised by members of other clubs on display, notably the Alvis Owners Club.
Kevin was the only one brave enough to dress up, and wore his Lion outfit with “pride”.
We had a number of membership enquiries which have been followed up.
The stand breakdown and pack up was a lot quicker than the set up and we all managed to get away by 6 pm and had dry and uneventful journeys home.

In general we have managed to secure a good number of new members, but as is the way of all clubs, we also had a few that choose not to renew their membership this year. Overall membership has remained at its 2009 level. 
Thanks to Colin & Pauline Atkinson we got some excellent coverage in the July edition of Practical Classics when they and their P1800 went to Beaulieu in April to provide photos to go with the “Buyers Guide to the P1800”. It was a beautiful sunny day, and all the photos were taken inside!!!

VEC News March 2010

Hello and welcome to the 1st edition of VEC News.
I’m Colin Hughes and am currently the Coordinator of the recently formed “Volvo Enthusiasts Club 2010”. (VEC 2010)

VEC 2010 was formed following Kevin Price’s decision to stand down from the bulk of the work he had undertaken (almost single handed) for the last 20 years. The aims and principles of  VEC 2010 remain as stated, the only difference now is that we run with a Committee which any member may join.

Kevin remains with VEC 2010 as our Honorary President & Club Historian. In this role he has kindly agreed to manage our indoor events (currently the Bristol Classic Car Show in May and the NEC Classic Car Show in November). He will also retain our links with the DVLA.

The rest of the team who have volunteered to help run VEC 2010 are:-

Dave Stadden, Membership
Trevor Ashley, Web Site
David Foxley, Southern Group Rep
Russ Evans, Northern Group Rep (Includes Scotland)
Robert Hughes, Regalia
Christine Hughes, Phones (although she doesn’t know yet!!)

If anyone is interested in looking after the North East, The Midlands or Wales & Ireland, please let me know.

Contact details for me are:-
Home Number 01604 411960
Email VEC2010cjh@aol.com. Or via the Club eMail address.

I prefer contact via eMail, as I work shift patterns, however Christine or Robert will help where possible or take messages.

I thank those of you who have renewed your membership for this year, and welcome all our new members who had joined us this year.

 4 events planned for this year at present.

The Bristol Classic Car Show 1st & 2nd May

A National in August or September, somewhere in the Midlands. This will also incorporate a first General Meeting of VEC 2010.

NEC Birmingham, November….awaiting confirmation of acceptance.

James Bond Museum, Kendal 3rd October (Northern Group Meeting, but all invited)

But check out the Web Site for the write up from the “Northern Group” event earlier this year.

I think that is all for now, please let me have your input, contributions and suggestions for the next issue.

Any budding journalists and computer wizards out there who can help with VEC News?

Best regards,
Colin Hughes

Mr. Russ Evans is the club Northern Group Representative. We wish him all the best and thank him for his enthusiasm. Russ will make further announcements of local meets and details of cars in the area.
See 4 October 2009 Lake District Meet. View Here
You can contact Russ on Tel: 01995 61012 Email: jredogs@tiscali.co.uk

10 Jan 2010 - "We are thinking of meeting somewhere North lakes/Southwest Scotland weather permitting"
Folks I am not sure where the NORTHERN GROUP starts or finishes—this first year will be unusual.
If anyone has any constructive comments please lets discuss them. Russ and Saffie View Here
Contact Russ on Tel: 01995 61012 Email: jredogs@tiscali.co.uk

click image to enlarge

The Northern Group!