There are only crickets in here...

[BlackBart]

Susquehanna Spares.....

https://www.susquehannaspares.com/photos/

[abscate]

The Comet was one of three factors that ultimately brought me to America. Close to the heart

[BlackBart]

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[BlackBart]

Ohhh, the airplane!
What I know is that it was a very advanced plane, beat the 707 to the market, but then sadly started to fall out of the sky. Stress cracks at the corners of window openings (is that right?). They fixed the issue, but the public was wary and by then the 707 hit the market.

[BlackBart]

Saw a link to the 2013 Carlisle Meet in PA, and there was a feature on Joe Lazenby of Susquehanna Spares.
I copy-pasted it here -

"In 1986, the Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals launched and the international fun has been ongoing ever since. During the same time, the automotive industry has changed a lot, both foreign and domestic. Some companies have folded, others have new ownership and some took bailout loans from the government. One thing that has remained unchanged is longtime vendor Joe Lazenby and his passion for vintage Volvo cars and parts.

Joe has been a vendor here since ’86 and really enjoys the camaraderie of the event. “It is the traveling and meeting so many fantastic people that keeps me going,” says Lazenby of nearby Harrisburg. “After 40 years in the Volvo hobby, I’ve realized that not only are the people at Carlisle some of the best around, but Volvo people are great too. Sometimes the folks I meet at Carlisle and beyond that are into the hobby are often nicer, funnier and more fascinating than the cars themselves.”

Lazenby, a retired guidance counselor from the Harrisburg and Camp Hill School Districts, is the owner of Susquehanna Spares. Joe knows Volvos, so much so that he knows of or has his fingers in a lot of the business deals in the U.S. that involve older Volvos. Since 1973, he has dedicated most of his time to Volvo cars, first as a hobby and then full time since his retirement. He buys and rebuilds, finds parts, acts as an intermediary or sells to other enthusiasts. Those who need parts for older Volvos know Joe. His network is huge and international. He deals all over the place. Joe keeps two large warehouse buildings stocked with parts, one of them in Carlisle. Some of the parts are great, others not so much. Some are new, some are used, but all are more or less suited for every classic Volvo model there is; and, of course, there are some really nice collector cars in there too.

“I probably own the best collection of P220 Amazon wagons in the world,” Lazenby said. “Now that is a car that I really like. Over the years I have also owned three Volvo Sports (P1900). Most recently, I snagged a Volvo 122 wagon and drove it back to Pennsylvania from West Palm Beach. It’s the second time I owned this car too, and it drove great!”

It was Joe’s brother, John, that actually got him on the Volvo track. In 1973, John was looking for a nice and reliable commuter but it also had to be quick and fun to drive. Joe scanned the neighborhood and eventually found a 1968 Amazon 123 GT. John bought it and was so happy with the car that he kept it - and still owns it today! Not long after, Joe was drawn more and more into the world of Volvos, got to know a lot of people who worked for Volvo or with Volvos, and who dedicated their spare time to the cars.

“All of a sudden I realized that I had really found something meaningful to do in my spare time,” he says. “As time went by, the hobby became more and more of a profession. For me the ‘fun factor’ is of vital importance, and I have never had a dull moment since I began collecting and working on Volvos. I have been met with open doors and open arms everywhere I go and have gotten to know people who have become close friends.”

Joe has crossed North America twice in older Volvos, once in a Duett and the second time in a PV544, in order to maintain his network and just for the pleasure of driving an old Volvo across the country.

He also travels to Sweden now and then to visit his business partner, VP Autoparts, to search for parts, maybe buy a car or two, and meet with friends. VP Autoparts also has a location in South Carolina. Joe also has a base camp of sorts in Sweden with friend David Little, allowing for business to get done that much easier.

Joe has sold classic and collectible Volvo cars both ways across the Atlantic for several decades, and this especially applies to Sweden. The cars have mostly been the more sporty and rare PV and Amazon versions and, of course, the 1800. First the Volvos were exported to the U.S. when they were new. Later on, enthusiasts have brought many of the cars back to Europe. Some cars have even travelled back to the states a second time.

“To sell a car or advise somebody about purchasing a good Volvo and then to have that person really enjoy and appreciate what you have done — it really warms your heart and makes you feel good. Sometimes it is a piece of cake and on other occasions, more work is involved. What counts is that everyone is pleased and that is what usually happens. My brother, John, is perhaps the best example, even if it was my first attempt at a new business,” Joe said.

With such a strong background within the hobby, it’s only natural that Joe has been at Carlisle for almost three decades. “My initial draw to the event was to sell parts in the swap meet. Over the years, the show has evolved and while the swap aspect is still good to me, the face-to-face contact with the enthusiasts really helps, too. The weekend is very laid-back and a great place to see great cars and mingle with good people. Not only do I see old friends, I make new ones. Business is good, too, and I just love coming here.”

Look for Joe, a true wealth of Volvo knowledge at the event this weekend. You can finnd him and Susquehanna Spares in Row E, spaces 73-77."

[abscate]

Ohhh, the airplane!
What I know is that it was a very advanced plane, beat the 707 to the market, but then sadly started to fall out of the sky. Stress cracks at the corners of window openings (is that right?). They fixed the issue, but the public was wary and by then the 707 hit the market.

Britain was far ahead of the the rest of the world in jet travel. The Comet debuted in 1949, first commercial flight 1952. The entire industry learned about stress factors of punch riveting and square cornered windows, at the expense of about 100 passenger lives.

It was a classic case of those being first paving the path for others at their expense. Every other manufacturer quickly changed to oval windows.

Combination of stress in corners and punch riveting vs other fastening techniques.

[volvolugnut]

An interesting book written by a Brit is "Structures or Why Things Don't Fall Down". The author is J.E. Gordon. It is written for the layman without much math. I have learned quite a lot from it and it is interesting to read lightly as well. Lots of information on stress concentrations.
volvolugnut

[BlackBart]

When I was a kid, my dad got me a book on the spectacular high bridges in Switzerland. Elegant structures, fantastic photos.

[BlackBart]

Inspiration / idea source for the Amazon face......

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[abscate]

Poking the crickets ( while I scan all the Fora for spam)