my daddy was an airplane

Hi everyone!

Last month I drove with a 1996 Saab 900 2.0i Coupe from Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Dakar Senegal. I was part of the ´Amsterdam Dakar Challenge´. A trip where participants drive to Africa in a max. 500 euro car, raising money for local charities. 

I found my 900 last September. After telling my intention of driving the Challenge, the owner agreed to sell the car to me for only €100,-. Only thing that needed to be changed was the middle part of the exhaust and the battery. After that, it was good to go! 

We started in Amsterdam on February 9th. From there we drove south with 28 other teams. After cruising to southern Europe we got on a ferry to Morocco. In the eastern part of the country we drove through the desert and tackled some tough riverbeds. In Mauritania we got escorted by the local army because of security. One of the best experiences there was driving on the beach at 5AM (the tide made it an obligatory early morning). A lot of potholes later we crossed the border into Senegal and finished at Dakar (also over the beach). 

Our final destination was Banjul, Gambia where the car was auctioned. At the auction it got 1350 euro which we donated to a local orphan project. 

On the road I created a photo series to give you all an impression of the trip: Photoserie Saab 900 to Africa. 

Hope you guys enjoy.

From Saab World and Saab Wereld.

There are few icons in the automotive world whose lines and shapes stand the test of time like the Saab 92001. It is the simplicity of these perfectly proportioned curves whose elementary geometry and unbroken lines create a body that is at once instantly recognizable and desirable.

The Saab 93 Mark III is merely an attempt to take these basic lines and grow them into a larger hatchback model, while at the same time incorporating design aspects from past design language and harmoniously blending them into a modern classic.

Design staples of the Saab DNA, such as the ‘hockey stick’ window trim, and the horizontal chrome trim through the grill, are joined by more recent features, such as the familiar frontal intakes, horizontal brake light configuration and side vent, introduced on the short-lived, next generation 95 model. Also present is the classic spoiler that harkens back to Saabs memorable racing accomplishments, although the single exhaust pipe is a new addition.

Accompanying these features are elements that have been reintroduced to the design from the iconic models of the past. We see a return of the pointed hood lines and the horizontal grill of the original 92001. The single curve from nose to tail of the car and the characteristic rounded back window have also been implemented to tie the design to it’s roots. Perhaps most notably is the aerofoil shape of the body which utilises the same simplistic curve to define the volume of the body as the original.

In every way, the 93 Mark III has been inspired and referenced from the models that made Saab the beloved brand that it is today and it is our great pleasure to share these designs with the fans and creatives that gave life to this cherished brand.

From Saab World

The Saab Viking was a concept car from the Italian design company Carrozzeria Fissore, designed by Tom Tjaarda, the same designer which has designed the De Tomaso Pantera.

This car was built in the middle of the 80s, its based on a Saab 900 Turbo chassis.

Not too many Saab design clues were used, as it lacks the hockey stick on the C-pillar, and the grille barely hints at Saab’s own design. If it weren’t for the Saab badges you would never know this was a Saab.

This is a car you usually don’t see offered for sale and maybe will never see again. This 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi has a very reasonable price of € 41.321 without taxes. If you want to buy this car for export to Germany, 21% sales tax will have to be added for a total of € 50.000. Residents of the Netherlands must pay an extra €20K for a total of € 70.000

This SportCombi was built in February of 2012 and current has 31.501 kilometers on the odometer. Venza Exclusive Cars has many vehicles for sale and many are imports you don’t see on European roads every day.

Read more at Saab World: 2012 Saab 9-5 Aero SportCombi for sale.

The 31st Mille Miglia will be held May 16 - 19 in 2013 and there will be a 1957 Saab 93 participating in this year’s event. 1.800 applications were submitted and only 375 teams have been selected. This is the only Saab in the event this year, as far as we know at the writing of this article.

Read more at Saab World: http://saabworld.net/content/1957-saab-93-race-mille-miglia-2013-975/

I was out on a remote work site without internet access. All is well now and I am back on civilization.

Here’s a 900 Aero Turbo with a full Airflow Kit to make up for the wait!