Wednesday 18th January 2012

Saab sells off museum pieces

120 slices of Saab automotive history to be sold off by Friday

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The Saab Heritage Museum's collection of more than 100 cars is to be sold this Friday, as the Swedish carmaker goes through the death throes of its insolvency.

Insolvency lawyers Delphi have set Midday on Friday 20th January as the deadline for written bids - and they say they will consider bids for anything from individual cars to the collection as a whole.

Aero X concept

There is something slightly distasteful about picking over the bones of a once-thriving company, but although it is a shame to see such a collection broken up, the scope for Saab fiends to get their hands on a piece or two Swedish automotive of history is massive.

Among the cars up for grabs are the original 1946 Ursaab prototype, a pair of Saab Formula Junior single-seater racers from 1960, the recent Aero X concept, the first of the last-generation 9-5s, the two 9000s from the firm's record-breaking average speed runs in the 80s, and even a 99 that at some point had a V8 fitted in the nose.

Record-breaking 9000

99 V8 'longnose' prototype

[thewheelman]

No doubt some interesting cars, but i can't help finding this story a little sad. I suspect the vultures will be circling & waiting to pick off the remains of SAAB. I just hope enthusiasts of SAAB get there first.

[Stew2000]

Priceless...

[M666 EVO]

So does this mean Saab second hand cars will plumpet or soar in value?

I quite like the idea of burning around in a 9000 Turbo.

[rj1986]

Anybody know what's the going rate for stuff like this?
I suspect its close to 7 figures for some of the lesser known (Aero X concept for example)

If not... £30 and a pack of skittles?

[cookie1600]

Bloody hell that is sad, almost as bad as breaking up Gaydon!

Is the Aero X roadworthy? It might make me a good new run around for the Summer...... I bet they go for peanuts and end up being hidden in collections or sold off for mega profit in auctions throughout the year.

[Shewie]

A real tragedy!!!

[fatboy69]

they havent wasted any time have they? what a shame to see the collection potentially broken up with most of the cars probably never to be seen again.

[johnpeat]

The short notice means it's likely the collection will go very cheaply - it's not quite collectors have a chance of making a serious offer for the lot in that time??

Seems a bit like vandalism really - not to mention "failing to get full value for assets"...

[Pothole]

Surprised someone like Koenigsegg or some other Swedish multi-millionaire doesn't buy the whole museum. They have no soul, the Norse men!

[Phil Dicky]

As a Saab fan i think this is a real shame and yet more evidence they are gone for good

[Skater12]

I doubt the collection as a whole will be sold to one buyer, given the number of vehicles involved, and the space required to store such a collection.
Imagine the hassle of building a museum, styling areas for different eras etc, then maintaining the whole site and running it.
It'd be too big a task for what is now a dead brand.

I reckon there will be a fair number of cars that either dont get sold at all, and then unfortunately scrapped.

The administrators or whoever they are should probably donate the unsold cars to museums in my opinion.

It'd be interesting to have alink to the site listing each car, and how to bid, as i reckon there'd be plenty of guys on here with the means to bring over their winnings.

I'd fancy an early SAAB rally car to tool around in.

[VolvoMariner]

Skater12 said:

I doubt the collection as a whole will be sold to one buyer, given the number of vehicles involved, and the space required to store such a collection.
Imagine the hassle of building a museum, styling areas for different eras etc, then maintaining the whole site and running it.
It'd be too big a task for what is now a dead brand.

I reckon there will be a fair number of cars that either dont get sold at all, and then unfortunately scrapped.

The administrators or whoever they are should probably donate the unsold cars to museums in my opinion.

It'd be interesting to have alink to the site listing each car, and how to bid, as i reckon there'd be plenty of guys on here with the means to bring over their winnings.

I'd fancy an early SAAB rally car to tool around in.

If some don't get sold at all, I wonder if it is worth putting in a separate nominal bid for each one - could be time for a bargain - surely the administrators would take a few quid over nothing?!

[ellisd82]

thewheelman said:

No doubt some interesting cars, but i can't help finding this story a little sad. I suspect the vultures will be circling & waiting to pick off the remains of SAAB. I just hope enthusiasts of SAAB get there first.

A +1 for that comment.
Would be nice to see them donated to a Museum, but they are assets. Maybe they could be bought by one person and then donated? Wonder if Leno will be interested in any of these...
Will have to wait and see what happens, but I do hope SAAB fans get first refusal.

[Skater12]

VolvoMariner said:

Skater12 said:

I doubt the collection as a whole will be sold to one buyer, given the number of vehicles involved, and the space required to store such a collection.
Imagine the hassle of building a museum, styling areas for different eras etc, then maintaining the whole site and running it.
It'd be too big a task for what is now a dead brand.

I reckon there will be a fair number of cars that either dont get sold at all, and then unfortunately scrapped.

The administrators or whoever they are should probably donate the unsold cars to museums in my opinion.

It'd be interesting to have alink to the site listing each car, and how to bid, as i reckon there'd be plenty of guys on here with the means to bring over their winnings.

I'd fancy an early SAAB rally car to tool around in.

If some don't get sold at all, I wonder if it is worth putting in a separate nominal bid for each one - could be time for a bargain - surely the administrators would take a few quid over nothing?!

They probably would.
£1.00 bid each on a handfull of cars could pay off nicely.

[Skater12]

Might put a bid in for the car nearest the camera!

[cookie1600]

The administrators are not adverse to crushing quite a few new cars, so don't hold your breath on any of these museum pieces!!!!

http://jalopnik.com/5876309/fiat-500-wagon-saab-to...

[billzeebub]

that T16S Aero nearest the camera, lovely..I want VERY much

[Mermaid]

Saab Monte Carlo would be nice.

[richard300]

Skater12 said:

Might put a bid in for the car nearest the camera!

The silvery coloured car on the left looks rare, as it looks like a convertible but with pre-facelift bumpers?

[Munich]

Skater12 said:

Might put a bid in for the car nearest the camera!

I'll take one of the 9000 Turbo speed record cars.