Classic cars are rare and hard to find, but once you do, it’s like finding gold.  Everyone wants it, they know it’s rare, and you have to do what you can to defend your treasure!  This is certainly the case for Lars Jansson in California.  He owns a 1957 Volvo with serial # 66.  The last one of this type to come out of the plant bore #67…And it’s no where to be found!  This leaves Mr. Jansson with the feeling that someone is always “coming after him.”

This Volvo, which is a convertible like the Chicago C70, first hit the West Coast in the late 60′s, after many of them were already sold in Sweden.  Mr. Jansson found about the 1957 Volvo on sale in Oakland in the 1980′s and finally in 1999, took his beat-up convertible to a Volvo Club of America meeting and began the process of restoring it.

Jansson retired from his job in 2002 and in 2007  finished restoring No. 66 with it’s original robin’s egg blue finish, red vinyl interior, and other flare to make it a beauty.  Even though he is now 70 and helping take care of his parents, he’s never forgotten the age old question:  “Where is No. 67 and will I, or anyone else, ever find it?”

Those of us who don’t own a vintage Volvo can still make a trip to our Chicago used Volvo dealer and see the newest models, such as the 2010 Chicago C70.  One very important area this coupe scores high in is Safety.  The C70 comes with a Roll- Over protection system and full length side curtain airbags.   Volvo was the first to offer these types of airbags in convertibles.  Cruising around with the top down is oh-so-much-fun, but you want your passengers to feel safe too!

Whether you own a Chicago C70, or other type of Volvo auto, the front seats are some of the best around.  They are really nice to ride in- made of supportive material and easily adjusted to fit your comfort level.  The convertible also brakes well and gives the owner a pleasant driving experience all around!

Visit your Volvo dealer today to test drive and hopefully buy a new or Chicago used Volvo model.  There’s a reason this brand is popular worldwide!

Something most drivers don’t realize is that summer can be every bit as rough on a vehicle as winter.  But not to worry, your Chicago Volvo service team is here to get you through this.  Here are our 6 tips that should keep you enjoying the summer in your Volvo.

• Check your air conditioning -  It’s a wonderful spring day and your windows are down, the breeze playing flirtatiously with those few strands of hair draping over your forehead.  Who needs air conditioning?  Well, try fast-fowarding a couple of months to Taste of Chicago weather, when the sun is beating down, the temperature rivals that of a Hammond steel mill, and the air is more humid than chicken soup.  What I’m getting at is that I think you’ll want your air conditioning to be in top shape at some point, and finding out there is a problem with it in July is a lot less fun than fixing it before the heat arrives.  The stress summer’s heat puts on your car’s air conditioning can take its toll, especially on an already weak A/C system.  Have your system checked by a trained Chicago Volvo service professional before you begin relying on it every day.

• Check your coolant – An engine without proper coolant protection is a disaster waiting to happen in the dog days of summer.  Overheating is the one of the biggest causes of summer breakdowns.  Make sure your coolant has the proper cooling protection, and check to make sure your levels are consistent.  If you have to add coolant on a regular basis, you have a leak and need to get your car in for service.  If your “check coolant” light ever pops on, be sure to get your vehicle into a Chicago Volvo service center to have the coolant level checked.

• Test your battery – The extreme temperatures of summer can be tougher on your battery than cold weather.  That is one reason more manufacturers are moving the location of the battery out of the engine compartment where it is away from the added heat of the engine.  The health of your battery can be tested with specialized equipment by a Chicago Volvo service technician.

• Pay attention to your tires -  A lot of people would think tires are more of a winter concern due to snow and ice.  Warmer temperatures, especially on a long trip, can really test the integrity of your tires.  Check your tires before they let you down in the middle of nowhere.  Under- or over-inflated tires cause poor fuel economy and uneven wear on the tread.  Worn tires cause accidents during summer months when the roads are traveled the most.

• Change your oil regularly – Regular oil changes are always a necessary practice, but they are more important in the summer.  The extreme heat causes oil to break down faster, leaving your engine unprotected.  You also want to pay attention to you summer miles.  Most drivers use their cars more during warmer months, so you may need to change you car’s oil more frequently during the summer.

• Clean your car -  Not only does a clean car make driving more fun and give you more pride in your vehicle, a car that is routinely kept clean will stay looking new for longer and help retain its value.  Additionally, a car driven in Chicago all winter will have a nasty buildup of caked-on dirt and salt on its underbelly.  You need to make sure you have your car’s underside sprayed off thoroughly to prevent that grime from causing rusting of various components.