Saab History

Saab Sighting of the Week – Washington, D.C.

Posted on 28. Nov, 2006 by Ryan.

It is Tuesday, and that means I owe you a Saab Sighting of the week. This week, I spotted 4 Saab 9-3 convertibles within 1/4 of a mile radius from where I live in Washington, D.C. Wow, that’s a lot of convertibles!

Here is a photo of a 2005 9-3 convertible. There will be more photos to come in the coming weeks, enjoy!

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2005 Saab Tillbehör

Posted on 28. Nov, 2006 by Ryan.

The 2005 Saab Accessories (Tillbeh̦r) Catalog РSweden is now available. There are some amazing accessories in this catalog including the not available in the U.S. 5 spoke dual split wheels that you see on the cover. If you have the right connections in Sweden, you can obtain these accessories no matter where you live in the world.

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Saab EMS Rally Video conversion begins!

Posted on 28. Nov, 2006 by Ryan.

On Monday, I dropped off the Saab EMS Rally video for the 16mm film conversion to DVD. I understand this process will take about 2 weeks, perhaps a little bit more. Thank you all for the contributions you have made so far, I look forward to the footage!

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Saab 9-X Concept Videos

Posted on 28. Nov, 2006 by Ryan.

In 2001, Saab made a 9-X concept promotional video using computer graphics as well as another video showing the 9-X out on the road in a test drive in reality. Enjoy the videos and let me know what you think about them!

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Saab 9-X Scale Model 1:64

Posted on 28. Nov, 2006 by Ryan.

In 2001, there was a scale model made of the Saab 9-X by a company called Maisto, this model does not follow the scale consistency of most of the Saab Automobile models of 1:43, as this one is 1:64, slightly smaller than the rest of its brother’s and sisters.

I thought I would provide a photo of the model I own to give you an idea of what it looks like close-up. I would say that this model is not perfect, but it is nice to have a model of the 9-X nontheless.

A quick search on ebay shows a vendor with 3 available of this Maisto 9-X model. Get it while you can! It is only $6.50!

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Saab 9-X Promotional book – 2001

Posted on 28. Nov, 2006 by Ryan.

In 2001, Saab Automobile AB in Sweden published a promotional book for the 9-X for automobile journalists. This book was made with an interesting assortment of specified materials such as a rubber cover with inside jacket in a tire-tread pattern, sleeves in transparent clear film, and a somewhat foam material on the exterior binding. I think that the book in many ways parallel’s the design and material choices of the Saab 9-X concept car, and it certainly gets your attention!

The following photographs were provided to Saab History by Elkparts. Elkparts has one copy of this book, and hopefully with your help, Saab History can obtain another copy that may be lurking around this great world of ours.

Enjoy the photographs! This book will be a great find, but a rare one at that!

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Saab – The Race Against Time

Posted on 28. Nov, 2006 by Ryan.

The launch of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi in 2005 involved a number or promotional items being produced. One of these items included a copy of the book “The Race Against Time”, published in-house by Saab Automobile of the United Kingdom. This book corresponds to the online version of the game which is still online at this time.

I have added this paperback book to the Saab book archive. You will need to contact Saab Automobile of Great Britain for a copy because there is no traditional ISBN # to reference, just the Saab Part # that I have noted on in the book library under “2005″.

The online version of this game can be accessed at this URL http://www.saab93sportwagon.co.uk Below is a snapshot of the game in action, enjoy!

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Two Engineers, a Politician and a Saab 99 drive to Africa

Posted on 27. Nov, 2006 by Ryan.

This just in from Team Sanddodgers in the U.K.

Sanddodgers Press Release November 2006

Two Engineers and a Politician drive to Africa

Team Sanddodgers, a three man team of two engineers and a political adviser have been
selected to compete in this years Plymouth-Banjul rally, a 4000 mile test of skill, endurance and
innovation from the UK to The Gambia in a left hand drive car costing less than £100.
The Plymouth to Banjul Challenge, now in its fifth year, was begun in 2003 by some eccentric
Englishmen from Plymouth. For those teams and engineering firms who have the money, the
Paris Dakar Rally is the most prestigious test of automotive skill and endurance, for those with
considerably less money and sense, the Plymouth to Banjul rally was instituted as an adventure
that would raise money for charity as well as being even more challenging than the professional
rally.

Together Jonathan Farley, PhD student in Mechanical Engineering, Peter Laurie, Systems
Engineer from London Tube Company Metronet, and Gareth Wallace, Parliamentary Officer for
Christian Charity Evangelical Alliance, who met at Brunel University will be putting their skills to
the test as they drive a 1978 Saab 99 Turbo, designed for use in the snowy hilltops of Sweden
through the distinctly warmer climes of the Western Sahara.

“This is a brilliant challenge for any engineer, innovation is part of our training!” remarks
Jonathan, in his second year of a PhD researching Motorsport transmissions. “Although I have
worked on cars since my teens, little will prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead. We’ll have
to think on our feet and come up with many an innovative solution!”.

Due to the strict rules, their food, tools, spares and petrol money is being raised by companies
and individuals being invited to sponsor an A4 square on the side of their car for £55 each. Team
Sanddodgers need to raise £2000 by selling their 42 squares to cover the cost of taking part in
this rally of a lifetime.

Through a number of fundraising events including a charity gig and online auction, the team have
already raised nearly £4000 for charity but aim to raise a total of £10000 for international aid
organisation Tearfund and UK based cancer support Charity MacMillan.
Further information on the team, the car, the route, the fundraising activities and the
challenges that lay ahead can be found at http://www.sanddodgers.co.uk.

Notes to editors:-

Team Sanddodgers are driving a classic 1978 SAAB 99 Turbo, more information on the website. All donations of spare parts for this rare and unusual motor will be gratefully received.

The team are also producing merchandise to raise money for their charities. They are producing T-shirts and Christmas Cards which can be purchased through their website.

Over 15 companies or organisations including Evian, Danone Group, Spar and Pensworth are already sponsoring the team but with 7 squares left to sell, there is still room for more.

Further info on the team, the route, the fundraising events they are planning, how to donate to the charities or to sponsor the team can be found at the Sanddodgers website, http://www.sanddodgers.co.uk
Media enquiries please contact
Jonathan Farley on 07787872886
E-mail theteam@sanddodgers.co.uk

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