Bruce Tells his Story...

Bruce Ackerman and his Volvo when he opened his
shop in the early '80s.

My story started when I was 13 years old and my parents were contemplating a new car back in 1968. An uncle already had one (which was an influence) and of course I'll never forget, my parents letting me feel I was part of the decision making process !

At the time Volvo was making a reputation for itself as a very safe and well made car, (most were holding on to them for 11 years, which at the time was almost unheard of) socially responsible people were attracted to them, Sweden then of course was being neutral regarding the Vietnam war and as we all know Volvo is made in Sweden! Many college educated people were zapping them up, especially in Berkeley.

So needless to say my parents purchase of their first Volvo 144 was the major influence of my life.

My fondness for the Volvo only intensified later and got melded in with my thorough enjoyment of driving and driving fast. My fascination with speed I blame on a couple of people that are long family friends now but one had a Volvo and was able to show me few ' tricks ' driving his '67 142 and, oh my gosh, off I went to the races and seeing Volvo compete!

As a teenager I wasn't particularly focused on any one particular good goal until my parents (again) offered me their old broken down VW with one condition; if I would learn to work on it myself. Well there you go... One well intentioned condition that my parents had no idea ... turned into a hobby then a career.

After working for a few Volvo shops, gaining experience and earning a name for my self, I was encouraged by a friend and business associate - now my business landlord and still friend - to make the jump and start my own business. That was 1983 the same year my Volvo race car was finally ready to see the track for the first time. How much more fortunate can one be - twenty years later be able to say I'd do it all again !