Volvo: Swede home Uddevalla

When most people buy a convertible, they expect to get a tan and some fresh air but not necessarily a deeper understanding of herring. But then again, most people don’t buy the 15 millionth Volvo.

That’s what happened to a San Diego couple who saw the Uddevalla-made 2008 Volvo C70 coupe-cabriolet (with the folding metal roof), became smitten and decided to get out their checkbook.

This situation is a bit like that of the lucky kid who downloaded the billionth song off iTunes. They just happened to buy the 15 millionth Volvo car ever made. And this one had a special treat in its glove box: two tickets to Sweden — airfare, hotels, a visit to Gothenburg (Volvo’s hometown) and a tour of the factory, which no doubt includes some kind of smorgasbord for lunch.

Coincidentally enough, the very first Volvo, produced in April 1927, was also an open-top model: the ÖV4 (ÖV is Swedish for "open car" and the digit denotes the number of cylinders the engine has). As they fly over England, our lucky San Diegans will probably be giving thanks for not buying a Jaguar and winning a trip to that industrial blight known as the Midlands.

— Colin Ryan

Photo: Volvo