Commercial Motor's offices were graced with two august gents from Volvo's press department this week looking through the magazine archives to find out when their own company was founded. Convinced it was Volvo Trucks UK's 40th birthday this year they were searching for references to the original firm Ailsa Trucks' incorporation in Scotland.
Anyone who can shed light on the mystery of Ailsa's birthday should please come forward. Apparently the history of Volvo is carefully guarded at the museum in Gothenburg, but like the last child that no one bothers to take photos of, Volvo UK doesn't feature much in the family album.
According to CM's bound copies - which we have going back to 1905 - Ailsa was launched in 1966 and, although the Volvo guys are insisting it didn't trade until the following year, that makes their sums distinctly suspect to me. Still, I too was born in 1966 and if Volvo can do it I'm damn sure I can. So I am hereby serving notice that I will be 40 - again - this summer. Flowers and gifts to the usual address, please.