On the surface, it doesn’t seem likely that harps and Volvos would have much in common. After all, they were invented about 1,200 years apart. One is played, the other is driven. And while harps are delicately carved and have a relatively short life span compared to other instruments, Volvos are sturdy and known to outlast many other vehicles.

So why is it that Swedish Engineering customers Ruth Brown and Christa Grix say that harps and Volvos have a real connection? Why are these free-lance harpists convinced that Volvos and harps were made for each other?

Ruth explains that transporting a harp can be awkward, but that the gilded instrument fits perfectly inside a Volvo. “Most harpists drive Volvos,” Ruth says. “And it’s not by chance. There are only two kinds of cars that are big enough for a harp. Volvos are one and mini-vans are another. The benefit of owning a Volvo is that they happen to be one of the most reliable cars in the world. When you’ve got to get somewhere, you must be able to depend on your vehicle.”

Ruth started playing the harp her freshman year of high school and instantly fell in love with its sound. Fittingly, she graduated from Boston University with a Master’s Degree in Harp the same year she bought her first Volvo. Since then, she’s owned two Volvo 240s and a 1998 V70, which she drives now with “Harp Car” license plates that she says have made her famous around town.

Ruth is currently a free-lance harpist and teacher who actually rents harps to a few of her 34 students, aged six to 60 and who come from 16 different school districts to take lessons from her. Ruth also plays her 47-string instrument at concerts, weddings and other private events, as well as with the District Symphony Organization.

While playing the harp for a living is rather uncommon, Ruth says that there is a friendly circle of about 14 free-lance harpists in the eastern Michigan area who work steady and refer one another for certain jobs. She points out that the majority of harpists she knows drive Volvos, and at least three are Swedish Engineering customers, including herself who has called on Swedish in times of Volvo trouble for the past nine years. “You can’t beat their service and Corky the manager is always courteous and friendly. He remembers everybody’s name and bends over backward to help. He knows a lot about Volvos. It’s great to know someone with his kind of understanding.”

Volvo owner, Swedish Engineering customer and harpist Christa Grix says that like cars, harps need tune-ups. While they have a lot of metal parts, harps are also made of wood that lives and moves and must endure 1,600 pounds of pressure at each sitting. The lifecycle of an original harp is between 20 and 30 years. Though they can be rebuilt and restored, collectors won’t find old original harps that can be finely tuned.

Christa explained that harps are uncommon instruments to play because they are expensive – about $15,000 for a new one. Unlike a $100 guitar, parents aren’t likely to buy their children a harp in hopes they’ll want to play it. Christa says she was lucky that her high school was one of a few in the state that had a harp to play so she began strumming the instrument as a teenager. Since then she has bought three harps, and even married a man who plays a Celtic harp. “I didn’t choose the harp, it chose me. I fell in love with it at the age of 16.”

Christa is a free-lance harpist and a member of the Christa Grix Trio, a group that includes the unusual mix of a harp, upright bass and drums. She and the group have recently completed their second CD and hope to book tours and introduce their sound around the country.

Christa confirmed that harps and Volvos are in harmony, especially since Volvos have front wheel drive and are made for driving in the snow. “Harpists have to show up when they’re scheduled to play, no matter what the weather is outside. If you’re playing a wedding, the bride expects you to be there.”

Ruth agreed, adding that Volvos make a good appearance. “You can’t drive up to a formal concert in an old car. You have to look the part. And Volvos are impressive vehicles.”