Saab History

The Saab 9000 CC : 1985 – 1992

Posted on 01. Dec, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab 9000 was unveiled at the Kolmarden Zoo and game park 24 May 1984, one hour South of Nykoping, Sweden, Saab’s former head office. The 9000 CC was co-developed by Saab-Scania’s Car Division as well as Lancia, Fiat & Alfa-Romeo following the Saab 600.

This model was designed by the Italian, Giorgetto Giugiaro as well as Swedish designer Björn Envall. The 9000 had over 2 million miles of testing and development devoted towards it and was built in both Trollhättan, Sweden as well as Uusikaupunk, Finland

As a tribute to the endurance that this car had, there were numerous tests conducted such as the Talladega “Long Run” in 1986. In 1990, the 9000 also won the guinness book of world records in for distance traveled.

The Saab 9000 began design all the way back in 1974, but was first produced in 1985 and lasted until 1992, until a new CS body style was built. However, some years after the 9000 CC was produced, a 9000 CD showed up in 1988 and was produced until 1997, later to be alongside the CS.

This model for SAAB came equipped with the following specifications:
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The Saab 900 Convertible : 1986 – 1994

Posted on 30. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile USA

The convertible idea was conceived by Bob Sinclair, former President Saab-Scania of America, Inc. and the engineering was conducted by Steven Rossi & American Sunroof Company.

The Saab 900 Turbo Cabriolet prototype in 1983. was unveiled to the crowd at the Frankfurt Motor Show that Saab in 1983.

A year later, this vehicle was also featured in the Saab Olympics which took place in Los Angeles in 1984.

The first production model of the Saab 900 Convertible arrived in 1986 of which there were 400 made that year and was built in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

The final year for the production of the convertible took place in 1994, a year after the 900 ended production.

This model for SAAB came equipped with the following specifications:
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The Saab 900 Notchback : 1981 – 1993

Posted on 30. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab-Scania

The Saab 900 notchback sedan was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1981. That year, the models traditional 3-door & 5-door hatchback model lineup was expanded to include sedans which featured a new body style known as the “notchback”, which effectively eliminated the hatch leaving a trunk.

This new body style was included in not only the initial sedans, but between 1985 and 1986, it had a 3-door model people refer to as the “notchback”. It’s design continued through the years until 1993, and it even served as the basis for the Saab 900 convertible in 1986.

This model for SAAB came equipped with the following specifications:
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The Saab 900 : 1979 – 1993

Posted on 29. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab 900 continued the legacy of the 99 as a Combi Coupé / hatchback and was first introduced in 1979 and was produced for 15 years until it came to an end in 1993.

The 900 was designed by Saab designer, Bjorn Enväll and was produced in Uusikaupunki, Finland, Arlöv, Sweden, Malmö, Sweden and Trollhättan, Sweden

The Saab 900 became known as the classic 900 when it rolled off of the production line on March 26th, 1993 in an Imola Red 900 Aero, which was subsequently driven directly to the Saab Museum in Trollhättan.

This model for SAAB came equipped with the following specifications:
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The Saab Project Designs by Model

Posted on 28. Jun, 2008 by Ryan.

As a follow-up to the previous writeup on the past and present Saab designers and their achievements, it was necessary to include a chronological up-to-date listing of Saab projects both production and concepts.

This listing includes each Saab project, year introduced along with each designer and/or engineer that contributed to the given project.

This list is a work-in-progress, so any additions and/or modifications that you see necessary below, please add your comments to ensure correctness and accuracy.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Design Contributions by Model

SAAB Scandia 90 (1946-1958)

Bror Bjurströmer

SAAB 91 (1947-1966)

A.J. Andersson

SAAB 92001 (Prototype) (1946/1947)

Sixten Sason

Gunnar Ljungström

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The Saab-Scania of America, Inc. Coffee Mug

Posted on 17. Mar, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab History

This just in from Bob Sinclair, former President of Saab-Scania of America, Inc. regarding the Saab-Scania Coffee mug.

A thank you to Jan-Willem Vester at Saab Automobile USA for providing the mug a number of months ago.

Here are the details about the importance of this coffee mug from Bob Sinclair, in his own words:

About the coffee mug, sometime in the early ’80s we established a multi-level follow-up that went to every buyer of a new Saab. I don’t recall the details, but it went something like this:

1. Standard “letter of welcome” like just about all car companies send.
2. Stereo tape cleaner, again with a message of thanks for choosing Saab.
3. Coffee mug, with a 3rd message, my card inside the mug.

The purpose was two-fold: To build favorable feelings toward Saab, of course, and to let owners know where to write if they had any problems…with their car, their dealer, or whatever.

Establishing direct contact with owners resulted in a huge amount of mail landing on my desk, but it also gave me direct insight into our operations across the nation. I read every letter. Our headquarters personnel, our employees out in the field, and our dealers all knew it. And they knew that complaints would be investigated, and if found to be legitimate the responsible dealer would be held accountable. At least that’s how it was supposed to work. Was it perfect? Of course not, but I think the effort involved was well worth it…and was just one more element of building a successful business for Saab here in the U. S.

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Saab Owners Convention – 1994

Posted on 08. Sep, 2007 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Unknown

The 1994 Saab Owners Convention took place at Oconomowoc, WI between August 12th-14th.

Thanks to New Salem Saab for providing the group photo above as well as Paul Berger for the official booklet below.

If you have any other material that should be included in the 1994 Saab Owners Convention posting here, please contact Saab History for that material to be added.

I am currently looking for any video footage that was taken of this convention at this time to include in this posting.

This convention is also listed on the Saab Convention Archive here on Saab History.

1994 National Saab Owners Convention

Author: Ann Buschhaus, Chairperson

The theme of this years event is “The Culture of Saab”. We will explore the various aspects of ownership of that quirky car from that Swedish airplane company. We’ll look at the history of Saab cars and its company, Saab in motorsports, Saab collectibles such as literature, posters and models, and Saab’s U.S. history. These things and more will be examined in detail as we look at Saab culture from the early days when Saabs had virtual “cult status” compared to the more main-stream image of today.

This year’s National Convention will contain all the activities of previous conventions, however, there is one important change. Activities will begin Friday afternoon with the first clinic scheduled for 2:00pm. We will also try to maintain a more relaxed atmosphere with fewer conflicting activities.

Clinics will be balanced between “cultural” and “technical” clinics. Cultural clinics will include Saab Aircraft, Saab Rally History, Early Saab Dealers, Collecting Saab Memorabilia and Developing a Local Saab Club. Techincal topics will include fresh ideas with no repeats from previous years.

There will be a concours, an autocross and an exceptional rally in which participants will also take one lap of the autocross course.

A swap meet will be held throughout the event and, of course, we cannot forget the Saturday evenings Award banquet with its guest speaker, the Saab Roundtable Discussion, test drives of new Saabs and all of the fascinating and diverse Saab owners that anyone could ever want to meet!

Our site is the Olympia Resort, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, 30-minutes West of Milwaukee. Olympia is a full-featured resort with plenty to do including an 18-hole golf course, pools, spa, tennis, cinema, etc.

Convention goers should make room reservations with the Olympia by calling 1-800-558-9573. Mention the convention and the fees will be $74.00 for single or double occupancy with a $20.00 surcharge for third and fourth persons in the room. Children 17 and under may lodge free when accompanied by an adult. The rate may also be extended up to two days before and after the convention for those who wish to stay longer. The reservation cutoff date for these rates is July 15, 1994.
The convention fees are $65.00 for adults and $55.00 for children 21 and under. This includes Friday night’s welcoming reception; Saturday’s breakfast, lunch and banquet (or child care service); Sunday’s breakfast; all clinics and participation in the concours and rally. Participation in the Autocross is an additional $5.00 and swap meet spaces are also extra. A car wash facility with supplies provided, will be open on Friday and Saturday. With an excellent location, an interesting and somewhat different schedule, plenty of popular convention activities and the camaraderie of fellow Saab enthusiasts, this year’s event should be great fun and very informative.

For more information and registration forms, call Ann Buschhaus, chairperson at XXX or XX@XX.COM. I’ll see you at the convention!

Here is the 24-page official convention booklet below, just click on the button to download.

This convention is also listed on the Saab Convention Archive here on Saab History.

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Saab “Long Run Cruise” Film – 1990

Posted on 19. Aug, 2007 by Ryan.

In March of 1990, the Saab Car Division of Saab-Scania sent their employees on a cruise as celebration of the “Long Run” event that took place back in 1986 in Talladega International Speedway in Alabama.

There was a video produced that showcased this celebration cruise that recently arrived as part of the donations that were made.

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