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The Saint's Blog devoted to news and rumors about The Saint and Leslie Charteris. Simon Templar, alias The Saint, was played by Roger Moore in the 1960's TV show featuring the Volvo 1800.
Please e-mail any current news and rumors about The Saint to: 
Thursday, July 05, 2007
 New Jersey Herald, Sunday, June 24, 2007
'The Saint' car brings man back to Franklin memories
By TOM HOWELL JR. (thowell@njherald.com)
FRANKFORD — As the Robin Hood-like hero of the 1960s British television series "The Saint," Roger Moore rode a sporty white Volvo 1800 to fame and a role as James Bond.
After negotiations with an overseas owner and extensive repairs, Franklin native Bill Krzastek, 55, rode that Volvo to the Chatterbox at Ross's Corner last weekend.
"I'm very surprised to see it here," said John Smith, of Hampton, marvelling at the car's gleaming white body and shiny chrome. "It's perfect, ya know?"
Adapted from novels written by Leslie Charteris from 1928 to 1963, "The Saint" TV series ran from 1962 to 1969.
Moore played Simon Templar, the show's namesake whose initials "ST" appear on the license plate of Krzastek's keepsake vehicle.
Templar was a crusader who worked within or outside the law to root out crooks and corruption. His fast Volvo was unique and pure, and the Swedish auto manufacturer never made another "enthusiast-driven" car, Krzastek said.
"It put Volvo on the map worldwide," he said. "All of a sudden, every week, here was Roger Moore streaking across the screen with this white, sleek sports car."
The car was built and first used in 1967. Earlier versions of the model were made in Britain, because Volvo did not have the capacity to build it in Sweden, according to Krzastek.
But the company built a new factory in Sweden in 1963, and an "S" at the rear of Krzastek's car indicates its country of origin. Besides acting, Moore was the original owner of the car, according to logs known as a "green book."
Krzastek grew up in Sussex County and graduated from Franklin High School, but now resides in Waynesboro, Va., where he teaches high school math.
"The Saint" series allowed him to bond with his father, Mathew, when the show ran in the 1960s. Mathew Krzastek suffered a stroke in 1975, retired from the Franklin Post Office, and always had a request for his son when he visited Virginia during the 1980s.
"He'd say, 'Hey Bill, you got any Saints episodes?'" Krzastek recalled. His father passed away in 1993.
Nostalgia and an affinity for stylish cars set Krzastek on a mission to rescue The Saint's Volvo from a British museum owner's storage facility.
"It was literally rotting in his warehouse," Krzastek said.
Krzastek talked the previous owner down from $75,000 to $54,000 after an independent assessment, but the restoration cost an estimated $25,000.
The car had to be stripped down to bare metal in some interior parts, and the doors' rocker panels and the body's nose panel were replaced due to rust. The process was called a rotisserie restoration, because the car was placed on its side in a way that lets it turn.
Two British television stations, the BBC and ITV, filmed segments on the car's restoration.
"I thought it was quite the grand project," said Dan Reder, of Wantage, Krzastek's boyhood friend.
Another high school friend, Joe Prtorich, of Frankford, marveled at the car and the scope of the restoration.
"You've got to trust someone half the world away to take this apart and put it back together," he said.
Once complete, the car was shipped in a crate from England and made the rounds at car shows throughout North America. Stops have included the Carlisle Import Festival in Pennsylvania and a recent auto extravaganza in London, Ontario, Canada.
"It's been in both Londons now," Krzastek said. "All of a sudden, folks have been really excited about seeing (the car)," Krzastek said.
The Franklin native heard about the Chatterbox's classic car night and decided to check it out.
"I said, 'Holy smokes!' The place was full of cars," Krzastek recalled.
The Volvo's steering wheel is on the right side, which is customary for a British vehicle. Krzastek said he does not need a special permit to drive it, and post office work in his youth prepared him for driving in the configuration.
It's great for picking up mail, but terrible at drive-thrus, Krzastek joked.
The Wanderers Car Club, which hosts cruise night at the Chatterbox, were thrilled to have a celebrity car in the lot on Saturday.
"I thought it would be a real attraction for everyone," Wanderers' member Sandy Mazza said. "Who doesn't remember 'The Saint'?"
Classic cars such Krzastek's harken back to a generation when new car models were released amid "a lot of hooplah" and anticipation.
"Today they all look alike," she said.
Chatterbox owner Don Hall said it was nice to pull back a memory through the gleaming white Volvo.
"From film to reality," he said.
Copyright © 2007 The New Jersey Herald. All rights reserved.Labels: 2007, Bill Krzastek
Monday, June 18, 2007
From: Bill Krzastek
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:12:24 -0400
Subject: ST1's Trip To Canada Part 2
 Hello to All,
Welcome to Part 2 of "ST1"s trip to Canada. While at the Fleetwood Country Cruize-In at London, Ontario, ST1 was visited by another legend, Mr. George Barris, the "King of the Kustomizers". Mr. Barris is known worldwide for the many custom, film, and TV cars he designed and built since the 1950's such as the TV Batmobile, Munsters Coach, the Ala Kart, and dozens of others. Several of Mr. Barris's creations were on display but even he was interested in seeing "ST1", the Roger Moore "Saint" Volvo.
Mr. Barris has a website where he interviews people and talks about their cars. He chose "ST1" to be part of this and in the attached photos, we see Mr. Barris interviewing me (and vice-versa) about the car. During the interview, I found out that Mr. Barris has a connection to Roger Moore: turns out that Mr. Barris built a car for Sir Roger's first Bond film "Live and Let Die" and had actually met Mr. Moore during filming. "A real gentleman" is how Mr. Barris described Sir Roger.
 Also on hand was Tony Davey, restorer of "ST1" who had flown over from England for the show. Tony is seen being interviewed by Mr. Barris in one of the photos. Plus, Irv Gordon, owner of the 2+ million mile Volvo can be seen in the backround of the first photo being interviewed from the folks from Old Cars Television. Small world indeed.
Best Regards to All,
Bill KrzastekLabels: 2007, Bill Krzastek, George Barris, Irv Gordon, James Bond, Roger Moore
Saturday, June 16, 2007
 From: Bill Krzastek
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:19:48 -0400
Subject: ST1's Trip To Canada Part 1
Hello to All,
What an amazing weekend in London, Ontario at Steve Plunkett's Country Cruize-In. Not only did we have a great time but over $150,000 was raised for charity. We are glad that "ST1" was chosen to help participate in this "Saintly" endeavor. While at the show, I had the opportunity to meet and greet many fans of "The Saint" and Sir Roger Moore. It always surprises me to hear that people come to the show to specifically see "ST1" when there are so many other attractions. One family had each of their 5 family members take turns behind the wheel for photos! It's nice to know that this car meant so much to so many people.
We were interviewed several times about the car and it's history but two interviews really stand out: the first was by Rick Walker of Old Autos Television. In the photos that follow, we decided it would be fun to try to recreate the original publicity photos of Sir Roger and "ST1". I posed for the boot shot then persuaded Rick to please take over for the others. As you can see, the photos definitely improved by my absence!
In Part 2, we have a very special interviewer so... "Watch for the car of The Saint, it will return".
Best Regards to All,
Bill KrzastekLabels: 2007, Bill Krzastek, Return of The Saint, Roger Moore, TV
Saturday, June 02, 2007
From: Bill Krzastek
Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2007 14:12:59 -0400
Subject: ST1 goes to Canada!
Hello to All,
This coming weekend, June 8-10, "ST1" has been invited to participate in Steve Plunkett's Fleetwood Country Cruize-In located in London, Ontario, Canada. This show attracts over 2,500 vehicles and is a world class event. This year "King of the Customizers" George Barris will be there with some of his creations. Also appearing will be Irv Gordon and his 2+ million mile Volvo and Guy Lombardo's antique boat!
Peter Noone of Herman and the Hermits will be there to entertain (so "ST1" will not be the only classic "Brit" there) as will Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Bobby Rydell.
Proceeds from this event will benefit over 20 charities and "ST1" will be doing it's "Saintly" part to assist. Here is a link to the event: http://www.fleetwoodcountrycruizein.com/
Best Regards,
Bill KrzastekLabels: 2007, Bill Krzastek
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
 From: Bill Krzastek
Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 19:47:24 -0400
Subject: Re: ST1 News May 2007 Part 1
Hello to all,
Just wanted to let everyone know that "ST1" had a successful weekend at the Carlisle Import Festival. I met alot of "Saint" fans there as auto enthusiasts had come from as far away as Sweden to attend the event. Many photos were taken of the car and the backround exhibit. Several people told me how much this car meant to them and how happy they are to know that it still exists and has been sympathetically restored.
I was also quite surprised to learn that "ST1" was on the cover of the event magazine as well as the dash plaque and the event shirt! WOW, you can imagine how special this was! Attached is a photo of the exhibit and the magazine.
Next month, "ST1" will cross the border for a show in Canada. Stay tuned!
 Best Regards,
BillLabels: 2007, Bill Krzastek, Carlisle
Sunday, March 25, 2007
From Bill Krzastek, owner of one of the white Volvo 1800's used in The Saint with Roger Moore:Hello to all,
Just wanted to let everyone know that "ST1", the 1967 Volvo 1800S from "The Saint" television series has been invited back to the Carlisle Import Festival this coming May. The car will again be part of the "Invitational Display" and will be located inside Building "Y" which means you will be able to see it and take photos no matter the weather! I willl also be bringing my display items including new photographs of Sir Roger Moore with "ST1".
This really is unprecedented as this is the first time that a vehicle has been selected to be part of the "Invitational" two years in a row! Of course, we all know that "ST1" is a special automobile!
I look forward to seeing everyone at Carlisle and I have attached the online brochure of the event (which includes "ST1"!)
Best Regards,
Bill Krzastek  From the Carlisle Import Kit/Replicar Nationals brochure:
The focus of the import side of the show this year will be on our friends from Sweden... Volvo. Translated to English, Volvo means "I roll." This Scandinavian favorite will be coming to Carlisle in droves. The Volvo Club of America will be hosting their East Coast meet at the Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals this year. Additionally, Volvo Cars of North America is bringing six of their antique Volvos from their superb collection. They'll be bringing a 1927 Jakob, Volvo's first car; 1956 P1900 - only 67 ever built; a 1953 PV444, once owned by Colin Powell; a 1953 PV444 pickup truck; a '55 PV444 and a 1961 P210 hearse. In the spirit of the Volvo spotlight, "The Saint" car will return to Carlisle. This '67 Volvo 1800S, was originally owned by Sir Roger Moore, and driven by him on the show of the same name.Labels: 2007, Bill Krzastek, Carlisle, Return of The Saint, Roger Moore
Saturday, January 06, 2007
 Bill Krzastek, the owner of a 1967 Volvo 1800 used in the Roger Moore TV series, The Saint, writes:
Hello to All and Happy New Year!
This past year, Motor Trend Classic magazine and Executive Editor, Matt Stone, borrowed "ST1" and published an article on the car and it's history in "The Saint" TV series. I'm happy to say that the article (with lots of excellent photos) is now online. Please use this link to see it. I hope you enjoy it!
Best Regards to All,
Bill
Labels: 2007, Bill Krzastek, Roger Moore, TV
Friday, September 01, 2006
Bill Krzastek is the proud owner of a 1967 Volvo 1800S that was used in The Saint TV series with Roger Moore. He has posted a number of pictures of it, and it is beautiful. Fully restored, it does indeed look like a giant-size Corgi Saint Volvo -- he just needs to build a giant Corgi box to put next to it! The story and pictures he has posted are great to see.Labels: 2006, Bill Krzastek, Roger Moore, TV, Volvo
Sunday, January 01, 2006
 Bill Krzastek, the owner of one of the Volvo 1800s used in the Roger Moore TV series, The Saint, writes:
Hello and Happy New Year to all of you. It has been a busy end of the year for "ST1". It arrived in Virginia in late September then shipped out to California for a few weeks of fun in the sun! While there, it was displayed on the Volvo stand at the Anaheim Auto Show for the unveiling of Volvo's new C70 Coupe/Convertible.
While in California, Matt Stone, executive editor of Motor Trend Classic, a new high-quality classic car magazine, borrowed "ST1" for an article and photo shoot. I just received an advance copy of the issue (January/February 2006) and it is just superb. The article is seven (7) pages with lots of photographs taken while under power through a tunnel (reminds me of the tunnel at Monaco) and still photos taken in the same warehouse where Clint Eastwood's film "Million Dollar Baby" was filmed. Please pick up a copy as you won't be disappointed. Matt also included a few period shots of "ST1" with Sir Roger Moore in the article as well as a brief history of "The Saint". Labels: 2006, Bill Krzastek, Roger Moore, TV, Volvo
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