Monday, 31 December 2012
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Friday, 28 December 2012
Assuming that this is not a photoshop exercise ...
src : Save Saab Museum Facebook Page
edit : some other pictures of this car appeared, so this post is a small collection of them :
Also there is an interesting photo taken by Saabrobz mentioned in the comments.
src : Save Saab Museum Facebook Page
edit : some other pictures of this car appeared, so this post is a small collection of them :
Also there is an interesting photo taken by Saabrobz mentioned in the comments.
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Jalopnik has a recent story called "Thank A Swede For Your Toasty Ass" admiting, that Saab was the first one, who introduced heated seats in Saab 99.
Citing the Saabhistory site :
It might be an urban legend, but who knows ...
Picture source : Serious Wheels
Citing the Saabhistory site :
"The electronically heated seats were designed as a precaution for driver's backaches, ensuring better driving pleasure and ultimately more safety."I've heard another more real-life story. In an interview (still giving myself hard time to find the source) it was told, that the heated seats were invented, because one of the test drivers had, especially in winter, problems with urinary bladder. So someone in the development team constructed a heater into the seat and than the idea came to introduce it as a car feature.
It might be an urban legend, but who knows ...
Picture source : Serious Wheels
The name tells it - klasyczny.com is a web magazine about classic cars. Recently they announced the Classic car of the year 2012 competition. Nominated are top 15 renovation projects of classics in Poland. There are some very interesting projects and one of the nominees is the Saab classic 900 Klara Power.
Klara Power, started by a Saab fanatic in Poland, is a wonderful charity project for raising money for a sick little girl - Klara. As klasyczny.com writes in an interview [GOOGLE TRANSLATED] :
To connect a classic car project with a charity is actually a great idea. Now, Klara Power is a nominee in the Classic Car of the Year 2012. This nomination circulates around in the Saab related internet and has definitely a place here on Saabism.
It has my vote. There isn't a deadline stated, so if you want to support this idea, you should do it now.
Where to vote ? Here : Classic car of the year 2012. Beneath the photographs is a vote poll. If you want to read the text in english, click for the Google translation. I was able to vote only on the original polish link. Be patient until all pictures are loaded ...
Now it's your turn to vote for the classic 900 Klara Power Saab.
source : klasyczny.com, Klara Power facebook page
Klara Power, started by a Saab fanatic in Poland, is a wonderful charity project for raising money for a sick little girl - Klara. As klasyczny.com writes in an interview [GOOGLE TRANSLATED] :
"Klara Power Initiative came suddenly, when a friend from work gave birth to a sick little girl - Klara. We knew that help is needed. Slowly - from small collections of money, the annual share of the 1% tax for Klara, the auctions of built vehicles - an initiative was born. Recently, we were able to officially register the Klara Power Association. Our goal is to help Klara in living a normal life, especially to be independent, thanks to the necessary surgery and rehabilitation. The Association also plans to help other children in need."
To connect a classic car project with a charity is actually a great idea. Now, Klara Power is a nominee in the Classic Car of the Year 2012. This nomination circulates around in the Saab related internet and has definitely a place here on Saabism.
It has my vote. There isn't a deadline stated, so if you want to support this idea, you should do it now.
Where to vote ? Here : Classic car of the year 2012. Beneath the photographs is a vote poll. If you want to read the text in english, click for the Google translation. I was able to vote only on the original polish link. Be patient until all pictures are loaded ...
Now it's your turn to vote for the classic 900 Klara Power Saab.
In november 2012 a DHL cargo plane crashed during landing in Bratislava airport (BTS). Luckily it wasn't a fatal crash, the front wheel broke when the planee was already on the runway. It stayed on the airport several days and some photos appeared in the media.
One of them is showing a yellow Saab 9000 which is still on duty on the airport. Reportedly it has some measurement instruments mounted. No more info is known (to me).
Since not having any contacts on the airport it will be hard to find out more. But some of the czech/slovak readers may know someone there. If yes and willing to find out more, feel free to write me.
source : Hospodarske noviny via saabinfo (cz) forum.
One of them is showing a yellow Saab 9000 which is still on duty on the airport. Reportedly it has some measurement instruments mounted. No more info is known (to me).
Since not having any contacts on the airport it will be hard to find out more. But some of the czech/slovak readers may know someone there. If yes and willing to find out more, feel free to write me.
source : Hospodarske noviny via saabinfo (cz) forum.
Monday, 24 December 2012
Sunday, 23 December 2012
This is a recent announcement of The Saab Festival in Trollhattan, 31.5. - 2.6. 2013. There is no more info at the moment, but it should come in January and can be found at the saabfestival.se website.
Also the IntSaab 2013 has already a time and date : August 2 - 4 at Wicksteed Park in Kettering. Preliminary info is at Saabclub.co.uk.
Hopely there will be the SaabsUnited Oktoberfest 2013, there are currently no informations about it.
Time to plan slowly ... at least one date.
It was still in the club, but standing at least 3 years somewhere in the garage without movement. So it changed the owner within the fanclub. A friend of mine bought it, a 1987 Saab 900 classic, an american one.
I have no clue about the history and it needs a lot of work to be good in shape. But important is, the revitalisation started and there is a will to finish it.
So here it is :
I have no clue about the history and it needs a lot of work to be good in shape. But important is, the revitalisation started and there is a will to finish it.
So here it is :
Friday, 21 December 2012
You might remember a post about the Hirsch interior from the summer. Due some miscommunication, this wasn't the right one. But no drama here, it's already installed at a friends Saab 9-3 convertible. The issue was, that after 2006 Saab changed the dashboard, not only in amount of buttons but also in dimensions.
Today arrived the right one ! I've became a proud owner of the Independence Edition dashboard remaining from the unfinished special series of convertibles. It was most probably one of the last pieces available. It's a Hirsch, but without the logo.
When the large box came, it caused a fight between our two cats, because both wanted to jump on the box and enjoy the panorama of our apartment at the same time :) But everything finished fine, both did it somehow. I assume the installation through the holiday season is still open. I admit not to have enough skill and patience to do that. Let's see.
btw. before it landed here in Bratislava, Slovakia, it took three flights around half of Europe : Stockholm - Paris - Koln - Vienna. I will never understand these logistics wizardry and can only guess, that there wasn't a direct flight, so it had to wait for some regular cargo flights. However the web-tracking was nice.
I'd like to kindly thank all the friends who helped me to get this piece. I really appreciate !
Today arrived the right one ! I've became a proud owner of the Independence Edition dashboard remaining from the unfinished special series of convertibles. It was most probably one of the last pieces available. It's a Hirsch, but without the logo.
When the large box came, it caused a fight between our two cats, because both wanted to jump on the box and enjoy the panorama of our apartment at the same time :) But everything finished fine, both did it somehow. I assume the installation through the holiday season is still open. I admit not to have enough skill and patience to do that. Let's see.
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Friday, 7 December 2012
Thursday, 6 December 2012
From the great saab-gt.pl facebook page comes this very pure picture.
I'd like to add one of mine, as far as i know, it's the same car. From the Saab Session Slovakia 2012 convention in October this year.
I'd like to add one of mine, as far as i know, it's the same car. From the Saab Session Slovakia 2012 convention in October this year.
I've found a series of advertisements (I suppose) which seem to be a bit hidden from what circulates around the internet nowadays. A smart idea of incorporating the Saab 9-3 Convertible into hints how to spend some time in 4 cities in a stylish manner. It appeared in Sunday Times in July 2011.
In spite it is the same newspaper involved into the phone hacking scandal, this has nothing to do with it. It's just an advertisement.
Here are the links : Edinburgh (just a start), Brigton, York and London.
In spite it is the same newspaper involved into the phone hacking scandal, this has nothing to do with it. It's just an advertisement.
Here are the links : Edinburgh (just a start), Brigton, York and London.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Saturday, 1 December 2012
A friend and a member of our Puppy Hunters Saab Club sometimes still takes photographs the old fashioned analogue way - on film strip. He putted incidentally an already used film into the camera and shot. One of the photo series was taken on the Saab Session Slovakia some months ago.
A series of double exposures came out. Pure coincidence.
source & author : Bedno's photostream
A series of double exposures came out. Pure coincidence.
source & author : Bedno's photostream
Saturday, 24 November 2012
Finally I've got into a position, where the possibility to have a company car of the 9-5 level became reality. A combi. In 9.000 km a new car will come. If things at Saab were going good, the choice would be only one : a Saab 9-5 SportCombi.
Well, things are different, Saab doesn't exists anymore, NEVS is nowhere and anyway plans something else. So my choice is now pretty hard. One would say, sweet and luxury troubles, but if you have to drive 40-50.000 km a year, things are different.
But life's goes on ...
So in memory of a non-existing car, which stays forever just a dream, here is a 65km/h front offset crash test (Euro NCAP equivalent test), found on Swadeology.
source : Swadeology
Well, things are different, Saab doesn't exists anymore, NEVS is nowhere and anyway plans something else. So my choice is now pretty hard. One would say, sweet and luxury troubles, but if you have to drive 40-50.000 km a year, things are different.
But life's goes on ...
So in memory of a non-existing car, which stays forever just a dream, here is a 65km/h front offset crash test (Euro NCAP equivalent test), found on Swadeology.
source : Swadeology
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Source : Save Saab Museum facebook page
Saturday, 10 November 2012
Korben Dallas is a very talented local (slovak) rock band. They've recently issued a live album called Pekné cesty (Lovely ways) containing several fine pieces. One of them, the first one called just Intro resonated a lot while driving. So it's here. Volume up is recommended.
[direct link].
[direct link].
Thursday, 8 November 2012
My Saab reached 100.000 km and the circumstances were good for an upgrade. So after a short e-mailing with Maptun two boxes came and were installed some days ago. Here are the first feelings.
The more visible new part is the Maptun steering wheel. It is thicker and softer than the original one. It fits very well into the hands. My fear, that the rugged structure will be a hurdle in smooth steering was not confirmed at all. It is a nice piece which found its home in the cockpit basically immediately.
Also I had the luck, that the service here had black steering controls which are looking much better in this combination than the chrome ones.
The less visible but very important upgrade was the front strut brace again from Maptun. Since the convertible doesn't has a fixed roof, the chassis got torque steering at fast acceleration in some situations. For example, when you enter a fast road and don't want to slow the cars behind you. Or while overtaking a slower vehicle on a country road. These were places where the car started to "dance". The strut brace eliminated it completely. The car is much more stable, feels more robust and drives more smooth. As it would be from one piece of metal. Unexpected and a nice surprise.
Hopely it's not the end. Something more is still in plan. Let's see how this works out.
edit : oh yes and if you're in doubts how to hold the steering wheel properly, check this :
source : gamespot forum
The more visible new part is the Maptun steering wheel. It is thicker and softer than the original one. It fits very well into the hands. My fear, that the rugged structure will be a hurdle in smooth steering was not confirmed at all. It is a nice piece which found its home in the cockpit basically immediately.
Also I had the luck, that the service here had black steering controls which are looking much better in this combination than the chrome ones.
The less visible but very important upgrade was the front strut brace again from Maptun. Since the convertible doesn't has a fixed roof, the chassis got torque steering at fast acceleration in some situations. For example, when you enter a fast road and don't want to slow the cars behind you. Or while overtaking a slower vehicle on a country road. These were places where the car started to "dance". The strut brace eliminated it completely. The car is much more stable, feels more robust and drives more smooth. As it would be from one piece of metal. Unexpected and a nice surprise.
Hopely it's not the end. Something more is still in plan. Let's see how this works out.
edit : oh yes and if you're in doubts how to hold the steering wheel properly, check this :
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Positive news after a time.
Saab Parts expands and is starting subsidiaries in Germany, France, Switzerland and Denmark. The subsidiaries continue to sale and distribute Saab Genuine parts in Europe which is an important part of the future strategy. A few days ago, there was an announcement about their expansion also to Finland and Denmart.
For us in central Europe it means easier and faster access to parts. Also cheaper ? Who knows.
Does it means something to NEVS ? With their evaluation of a possible 9-3 restart definitely yes. A network of spare parts is very important. And if the the evaluation would have a positive outcome, it would be also a great message for Saab Parts. A win-win partnership.
Just let the BMW engines be in the new 9-3 please.
Saab Parts expands and is starting subsidiaries in Germany, France, Switzerland and Denmark. The subsidiaries continue to sale and distribute Saab Genuine parts in Europe which is an important part of the future strategy. A few days ago, there was an announcement about their expansion also to Finland and Denmart.
For us in central Europe it means easier and faster access to parts. Also cheaper ? Who knows.
Does it means something to NEVS ? With their evaluation of a possible 9-3 restart definitely yes. A network of spare parts is very important. And if the the evaluation would have a positive outcome, it would be also a great message for Saab Parts. A win-win partnership.
Just let the BMW engines be in the new 9-3 please.
Saturday, 3 November 2012
It was a surprise and resonated through the media countrywide. My home country Slovakia got Nr. 5 in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2013 - Top 10 countries. Lonely Planet on it's website is introducing Slovakia as well as listing a few places as well as stating practical information. Interesting reading for a person living here. Mostly true.
Also voices and articles with doubts arised, that many things are painted too nice. While the reality lies as usual in between, as a native Slovak I'd like to try to give you a real picture from a (not only but mainly Saab) car driver's perspective.
If you want to read about natural beauties or historical monuments in Slovakia, read one of the travel guides. This is a pure driver's guide.
Slovakia was more than four decades behind the Iron Curtain. The change came 23 years ago, we experienced an economical boom and became EU and Eurozone member. But the red history and its consequences are to felt in many peoples minds. You will sometimes encounter a kind of roughness. Don't blame them, they aren't guilty. Hard life is.
Slovakia is sometimes called Detroit of Europe because it is among the highest per capita car producers in the world. The VW, PSA and Kia plants are the reason. One vehicle per 3.8 people was driven here in 2008.
Basics :
Slovakia is a compact country, the longest driving distance (from west to east) is about 550 km. In the middle and north parts are mountains, the more south/southwest you drive, the flatter it is.
View Larger Map
Highways :
Although the highway system improved a lot, there is still no highway everywhere where it should be. For example between Bratislava and Kosice, the two largest cities are still parts missing. But the existing highways are good quality. With exception of this 50 km part.
Highway toll is mandatory in form of a windshield sticker. Available are 10-day, 1 month or 1 year, buyable on all fuel stations. Check the visual and the prices.
Country roads :
are mostly in good condition, with exceptions. The smaller the road, the higher probability of holes in it. There are many beautiful scenic roads mainly in the hills and around rivers. Some of them are in the Saabism cabrio ride hints section. In winter conditions they are mainly well maintained but always with a delay after the snow begins to fall. When you come for skiing, have snow chains with you, there are some parts with mandatory usage of them through a certain time.
The direction marks are logical, it's normal to drive only with paper map. A GPS gadget is more comfortable.
In the Saab built-in GPS maps of Slovakia appeared firstly after the 9-3 facelift in september 2007 and are not good.
City driving :
The amount of cars in the cities is constantly increasing. Traffic jams in the peaks are normal, but not as disastrous as in large cities around such as Prague or Budapest. The city roads are often in bad condition especially in the spring time. It's maybe better to park the car somewhere and use the public transport or taxi. There is no metro. Bicycle rental stations and bike roads in the cities are rare.
Maximum speeds are 50 / 90 / 130 kph. Try to keep these speeds, there are police radars quite frequently, mostly in civil cars or on places, where you spot them too late.
Parking :
Parking in parking garages is advisable. If not, mind the resident parking zones. There are payed parking places in the centre and still places, where you can park for free. They are often full and especially in Bratislava, they will disappear soon after changing the parking policy.
Never leave anything in the car, visible or invisible. The car theft or break-ins in Slovakia were going down in the recent years, but are still there. Brands of most thiefs interest are Skoda, VW, Audi and BMW. Saabs not really.
Fuel :
The fuel stations network is good and there are many of the major brands in place. After several reports about low quality fuel I use to mind the smaller non-branded stations. Fuel types available are similar or same as everywhere else in Europe. Petrol RON 98 is rare, but the Trionic 7 control units in our Saabs adapt themselves if you tank 95 or 100. There is no E85 ethanol / biopower to get in Slovakia. Lobby.
Police :
Police has a bad reputation and no respect here. But as Slovakia committed to the EU to lower the fatal car accidents the above mentioned radars finally mostly moved from "farming spots" to roads with higher accident rates. The fines for speeding and other violations are high, currently 10 kph over limit 20 €, 20 kph 60 €, 30 kph 130-140 €. Most policemen don't speak other language than slovak, so there is a low chance to negotiate.
The rumour, that police uses to stop cars with foreign numberplates is not true. I've been driven company cars with czech and austrian numberplates for years, there is no difference. They stop you if you break some rule, that's it.
Emergency numbers : general 112, medical help 155, police : 158, fire alarm 150.
Rather use the 150 numbers than 112.
Accommodation :
Always check very carefully before you book a hotel, f.e. at the booking sites. There are huge differences in quality of services.
Food & drinks :
As usual mind the tourist traps. You will miss small bars and restaurants with good food as f.e. in Prague or Vienna. You have to search a bit for good food in city centers.
Slovakia is more wine and liquor than a beer country. Be carefull especially with local liquors like borovička, hruška or slivovica. You can easily find yourself singing on the street.
Also voices and articles with doubts arised, that many things are painted too nice. While the reality lies as usual in between, as a native Slovak I'd like to try to give you a real picture from a (not only but mainly Saab) car driver's perspective.
If you want to read about natural beauties or historical monuments in Slovakia, read one of the travel guides. This is a pure driver's guide.
Slovakia was more than four decades behind the Iron Curtain. The change came 23 years ago, we experienced an economical boom and became EU and Eurozone member. But the red history and its consequences are to felt in many peoples minds. You will sometimes encounter a kind of roughness. Don't blame them, they aren't guilty. Hard life is.
Slovakia is sometimes called Detroit of Europe because it is among the highest per capita car producers in the world. The VW, PSA and Kia plants are the reason. One vehicle per 3.8 people was driven here in 2008.
Basics :
Slovakia is a compact country, the longest driving distance (from west to east) is about 550 km. In the middle and north parts are mountains, the more south/southwest you drive, the flatter it is.
View Larger Map
Highways :
Although the highway system improved a lot, there is still no highway everywhere where it should be. For example between Bratislava and Kosice, the two largest cities are still parts missing. But the existing highways are good quality. With exception of this 50 km part.
Highway toll is mandatory in form of a windshield sticker. Available are 10-day, 1 month or 1 year, buyable on all fuel stations. Check the visual and the prices.
Country roads :
are mostly in good condition, with exceptions. The smaller the road, the higher probability of holes in it. There are many beautiful scenic roads mainly in the hills and around rivers. Some of them are in the Saabism cabrio ride hints section. In winter conditions they are mainly well maintained but always with a delay after the snow begins to fall. When you come for skiing, have snow chains with you, there are some parts with mandatory usage of them through a certain time.
The direction marks are logical, it's normal to drive only with paper map. A GPS gadget is more comfortable.
In the Saab built-in GPS maps of Slovakia appeared firstly after the 9-3 facelift in september 2007 and are not good.
City driving :
The amount of cars in the cities is constantly increasing. Traffic jams in the peaks are normal, but not as disastrous as in large cities around such as Prague or Budapest. The city roads are often in bad condition especially in the spring time. It's maybe better to park the car somewhere and use the public transport or taxi. There is no metro. Bicycle rental stations and bike roads in the cities are rare.
Maximum speeds are 50 / 90 / 130 kph. Try to keep these speeds, there are police radars quite frequently, mostly in civil cars or on places, where you spot them too late.
Parking :
Parking in parking garages is advisable. If not, mind the resident parking zones. There are payed parking places in the centre and still places, where you can park for free. They are often full and especially in Bratislava, they will disappear soon after changing the parking policy.
Never leave anything in the car, visible or invisible. The car theft or break-ins in Slovakia were going down in the recent years, but are still there. Brands of most thiefs interest are Skoda, VW, Audi and BMW. Saabs not really.
Fuel :
The fuel stations network is good and there are many of the major brands in place. After several reports about low quality fuel I use to mind the smaller non-branded stations. Fuel types available are similar or same as everywhere else in Europe. Petrol RON 98 is rare, but the Trionic 7 control units in our Saabs adapt themselves if you tank 95 or 100. There is no E85 ethanol / biopower to get in Slovakia. Lobby.
Police :
Police has a bad reputation and no respect here. But as Slovakia committed to the EU to lower the fatal car accidents the above mentioned radars finally mostly moved from "farming spots" to roads with higher accident rates. The fines for speeding and other violations are high, currently 10 kph over limit 20 €, 20 kph 60 €, 30 kph 130-140 €. Most policemen don't speak other language than slovak, so there is a low chance to negotiate.
The rumour, that police uses to stop cars with foreign numberplates is not true. I've been driven company cars with czech and austrian numberplates for years, there is no difference. They stop you if you break some rule, that's it.
Emergency numbers : general 112, medical help 155, police : 158, fire alarm 150.
Rather use the 150 numbers than 112.
Accommodation :
Always check very carefully before you book a hotel, f.e. at the booking sites. There are huge differences in quality of services.
Food & drinks :
As usual mind the tourist traps. You will miss small bars and restaurants with good food as f.e. in Prague or Vienna. You have to search a bit for good food in city centers.
Slovakia is more wine and liquor than a beer country. Be carefull especially with local liquors like borovička, hruška or slivovica. You can easily find yourself singing on the street.
Friday, 2 November 2012
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Saabsunited reported, that NEVS, the new owner of Saabs evaluates a possible restart of the Saab 9-3 with a combustion engine. One of the major reasons for this step should be, that it was possible to hire back significant part of Saabs production staff and the result of this evaluation depends on readiness of the parts suppliers, customer demand and dealer capabilities.
Also the next reason is to use the production plant. It must cost horrible money to buy a production plant which doesn't produce anything.
This message opens more questions than it actually informs.
As many things at Saab in the past, this is an extremely complicated task to accomplish. Some of the parts suppliers are refocused or gone already, so new must be find. The dealer network is the same.
A big unknown in the plan is the engine, either Saabs own (is there still any ?) or a contracted engine.
But the most important is the customer demand. Even if everything from the production, sales and marketing side would be accomplished, will someone buy these Saabs ?
The answer on that question is a fortune worth. I have no idea, how NEVS wants to find it. If they find a wrong answer, it can harm the whole EV plan and things that may come later.
The developments around Saabs bankruptcy and purchase by NEVS teached the Saab fans in patience and stoic calmness in many cases. So this kind of breaking news will raise the eybrows of many but the reaction overall may not reflect the real intention to buy in case it really would come.
Also the next reason is to use the production plant. It must cost horrible money to buy a production plant which doesn't produce anything.
This message opens more questions than it actually informs.
As many things at Saab in the past, this is an extremely complicated task to accomplish. Some of the parts suppliers are refocused or gone already, so new must be find. The dealer network is the same.
A big unknown in the plan is the engine, either Saabs own (is there still any ?) or a contracted engine.
But the most important is the customer demand. Even if everything from the production, sales and marketing side would be accomplished, will someone buy these Saabs ?
The answer on that question is a fortune worth. I have no idea, how NEVS wants to find it. If they find a wrong answer, it can harm the whole EV plan and things that may come later.
The developments around Saabs bankruptcy and purchase by NEVS teached the Saab fans in patience and stoic calmness in many cases. So this kind of breaking news will raise the eybrows of many but the reaction overall may not reflect the real intention to buy in case it really would come.
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Friday, 26 October 2012
After seeing more materials from the Saab Meeting from the Saab Meeting in Bavarian Forest 2012 some ideas and thoughts are coming to my mind.
There are enthusiasts with energy to invent and organise Saab conventions without help or at least with "sticker" of a large official fanclub or a large website. An attendance on a large event like IntSaab or SU Oktoberfest is an awesome experience but these more local events with very personal atmosphere are making the immense important "network" between the heavyweight pillars of the community. This network is essential to hold the fanbase together. The recent Saab Session Slovakia is next of these events and there are dozens of others for sure.
The fanbase of Saab is imho an underestimated phenomenon. Therefore steps and plans of NEVS are sometimes really hard to understand. Yes, money, investments, business plans, forecasts, landing costs, margins, future considerations etc etc. It's easy to omit the "installed base".
Three days long Saab convention, consisting of joint drives, visiting interesting places learned and shared by the locals and knowing each other at the evenings. Very stylish (girls) Saabs, picturesque ambient and new ideas how to upgrade the baby in the garage. This was Saab Meeting in Bavarian Forest 2012. The oldest Saab was the Saab 92b from 1955, the youngest from 2008. 53 years difference. In between a beautiful Sonnett II, classic 900's and a presentation of 9-5 NG in Furth in Wald.
There are plans for organising the event next year. It should be October 2013. And if the circumstances allows it, Saabism will be there.
A selection of the photos :
There are more pictures from the 2012 meeting.
There are enthusiasts with energy to invent and organise Saab conventions without help or at least with "sticker" of a large official fanclub or a large website. An attendance on a large event like IntSaab or SU Oktoberfest is an awesome experience but these more local events with very personal atmosphere are making the immense important "network" between the heavyweight pillars of the community. This network is essential to hold the fanbase together. The recent Saab Session Slovakia is next of these events and there are dozens of others for sure.
The fanbase of Saab is imho an underestimated phenomenon. Therefore steps and plans of NEVS are sometimes really hard to understand. Yes, money, investments, business plans, forecasts, landing costs, margins, future considerations etc etc. It's easy to omit the "installed base".
Three days long Saab convention, consisting of joint drives, visiting interesting places learned and shared by the locals and knowing each other at the evenings. Very stylish (girls) Saabs, picturesque ambient and new ideas how to upgrade the baby in the garage. This was Saab Meeting in Bavarian Forest 2012. The oldest Saab was the Saab 92b from 1955, the youngest from 2008. 53 years difference. In between a beautiful Sonnett II, classic 900's and a presentation of 9-5 NG in Furth in Wald.
There are plans for organising the event next year. It should be October 2013. And if the circumstances allows it, Saabism will be there.
A selection of the photos :
There are more pictures from the 2012 meeting.
A nice flickr set of a Saab 95 V4 M 1969 is placed on Flick and the author is the mighty Jean-Francois alias Golfhunter.
Location : Grenoble, France. Check out the whole Flickr set.
Posted with permission of the author. Source : Flickr
Location : Grenoble, France. Check out the whole Flickr set.
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