I was waiting at a seems-so-long traffic light, my mind skipping through thoughts of Red Cloud 2.0.
When the first Red Cloud, our 1980 record-setting Volvo, went on display at Steele Wheels Motor Museum last spring, Volvo Cars Halifax paid homage by creating a modern-day replica, Red Cloud 2.0, complete with the same livery as the original.
Red Cloud 2.0, a modern-day replica of Red Cloud, a 1980 Volvo that set the world record for fastest circumnavigation of the world by car, 45 years ago.Photo: Garry Sowerby
Red Cloud 2.0, a 2024 Volvo V60 Cross Country, is a far cry from the Halifax-built Volvo 245 DL which college crony, Ken Langley, and I raced around the world and onto the front cover of the Guinness Book of World Records in 1980.
Garry Sowerby at the wheel of Red Cloud, the Original, the 1980 Volvo in which he and Ken Langley broke around-the-world driving record 45 years ago.
Then, as the traffic light was about to turn green, it happened. Red Cloud 2.0 passed right in front of me! I caught a glimpse of my name and Ken’s, glinting in the sunshine. That Canadian flag on the front door, so bold and crisp.
No big deal, coincidences really do happen now and then.
Coincidence 2.0
A few days later, while Lisa and I were getting up, I told her about thinking of Red Cloud 2.0 at the traffic light and it suddenly appearing.
“it was like an apparition,” I told her, as I opened the bedroom curtains for my usual traffic check out there on Connaught Avenue. And what drove by AGAIN? Red Cloud 2.0!
Red Cloud 2.0, a modern-day replica of Red Cloud, a 1980 Volvo that set the world record for fastest circumnavigation of the world by car, 45 years ago.Photo: Lisa Calvi
Later that morning, I called Benjie Young, General Manager of Volvo Cars Halifax, and the mastermind behind Red Cloud 2.0. I told him the somewhat spooky story.
Benjie explained Red Cloud 2.0 was being loaned to people who needed a car while their Volvo was being serviced. Smart!
“Here, drive this V60 Cross Country, and take this copy of The Great Gold Toothpick Caper so you can understand why your temporary ride is decaled up.”
I jokingly wondered, as they drove around with our names on the front doors, did they feel like they were Ken and me for a while? Benjie suggested I drive Red Cloud 2.0 for a few days over Christmas to find out.
Garry Sowerby driving Red Cloud 2.0. Or is it?Photo: Lisa Calvi
Replica-Ride in Red Cloud 2.0
Of course Red Cloud 2.0 has plenty of upgrades from the car we drove around the world all those years ago. How about a global navigation system instead of a case of paper road maps? Or a communication system that actually worked and a Sirius XM satellite radio instead of a cassette player and a back-pack full of cassette tapes. Blondie, The Police or The Bee Gees anyone?
Red Cloud, the Original, with Garry Sowerby and Ken Langley in Paris, France in 1980.
Driving Red Cloud 2.0 over Christmas was a treat.
Red Cloud 2.0, a modern-day replica of Red Cloud, a 1980 Volvo that set the world record for fastest circumnavigation of the world by car, 45 years ago.Photo: Garry Sowerby
From inside, I felt secure and confident. Smooth as silk on the open highway, with seats so comfortable, I felt like I could drive around the world!
Despite looking out over the familiar blue hood on a white car, I forgot I was driving a replica of the car that changed my life, propelling me into a bratty career of setting long-distance driving records and creating automotive events.
Good old Red Cloud, the OG
The day I returned Red Cloud 2.0 to Benjie Young at Volvo Cars Halifax, I dropped by Steele Wheels Motor Museum to check in on the original Red Cloud, a car that I’ve lovingly maintained for almost 45 years.
Red Cloud, the 1980 Volvo that Garry Sowerby and Ken Langley drove around the world and into the record books on display at Steele Wheels Motor Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Photo: Garry Sowerby
Yes, the 1980 Volvo is a tad musty inside and lists slightly to the port side. With a couple of small dents, some surface rust and that faded blue hood, the station wagon is certainly not as spiffy as its replica.
But surely, traces of Red Cloud’s tenacity and spirit from that epic road trip 45 years ago, are engrained in the DNA of Red Cloud 2.0.
Ken Langley, left, and Garry Sowerby in Pakistan with the 1980 Volvo 245 DL wagon they drove around the world.
One Response
So…Red Cloud became a parent…little Red Cloud 2.0. I wonder though if it has automatic transmission.