[speeder]

I have a Volvo 240 wagon in my garage right now. Jesus himself designed this car, I think. Absolutely indestructible and tough like very few machines ever made...slightly tougher than a Toyota truck. If the 22R had been made out of Swedish steel in the early '90s, it would maybe be as tough.

I grew up in a Swedish outpost called Minnesota, you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a Volvo. The Volvo dealer in my neighborhood, (home to bearded college professors and their hot wives), was one of the richest guys in town. His name was Kjel Berg, pronounced "Shell." His wife taught Swahili at my HS. She was a real bomber. When I was a teenager, you could get a beater Volvo wagon for $200 that had been completely neglected for the previous 10 years, I'm talking bald tires and spark plug wires that arc-ed all over the engine compartment, it would still get you anywhere you needed to go. If it wouldn't get you there, you didn't really need to go.

Saabs are another story. Weird cars that I love more than almost anything. I've had more Saab 96 cars than I can remember. Always wanted to ice race one, never got around to it. The only thing I love more than Saabs is also Swedish.