P4 West: Saab Museum Saved!
January 24, 2012 in News
Saab 9-3 SS Racing edition is Saab Car Museum driven by Peter "Poker" Wallenberg, part in saving the museum now. Photo by Jörgen Trued
P4 West reports: The city of Trollhättan, SAAB AB and The Wallenberg foundations – those are the ones who make sure that the Saab Museum will stay in Trollhättan. Together they have paid 28 million SEK for the whole collection.
A lot has happened since Saab filed for bankruptcy in december. Two bankruptcy administrators were appointed and later on a third joined in.
They quickly realized that more money was needed to keep the bankruptcy proceedings alive and quickly it was established that the Saab Cars Museum could bring in the first millions.
And now it’s a done deal, the museum will remain in Trollhättan. The running costs of the museum, will be handled by the city of Trollhättan and Västragötalandsregionen (regional government). P4 West have previous reported that the region, the city and a collection of Saab-veterans wanted to take over the running of the museum.
SaabsUnited trivia: Jörgen Trued contacted Peter “Poker” Wallenberg some weeks ago, letting him know what was about to happen. Seams like the Wallenbergs acted in a very nice way. “Poker” is a true racing fan and active in KAK Royal Automobile Club of Sweden. He has/had a Turbo X and raced a Saab 9-5 SC as well as a Saab 9-3 SS in track racing. The 9-3 is in the museum but lacks the engine. Interesting enough “Poker” asked me some years ago if I wanted to buy that car without the engine.
Olav said on January 24, 2012
Wow, this is really great news!! I have been in Trollhättan and the SAAB museum several times, and I am really glad I can do that again. Highly recommenable both the area and the museum!
Cheers from Norway!
-Olav-
Always on the longest road home when out there with my SAAB. Always!
Bob Conolty said on January 25, 2012
And now perhaps I can visit Trollhättan in the near future and see those wonderful cars in the museum!
JH said on January 24, 2012
Is it known if Peter Bäckström still will be the chief of the museum? Anyway, wonderful news!
Doug Pietrowski said on January 24, 2012
A great first step!
Paddan said on January 24, 2012
Great news. Wouldn’t be an irony if the Wallenberg family were in the mix for the bid on restarting Saab.
sam de Hoyos said on January 24, 2012
Fantastic news!!! Great things take time to get done. Just like mining gold……….it takes allot of refining and sifting through the crap to get rid of all the impurities (like GM)
to get to the gold. This is the first flake of gold to be found and I believe there is more to come………allot more!! Long live SAAB!!!!!
saaburban said on January 24, 2012
Maybe Saabsunited could give a short biography of the Wallenberg family and the founding of the Saab company.
Bengt in Scania said on January 24, 2012
You can start here http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallenberg
derek said on January 25, 2012
Do NOT do that. Wikipedia has a subset of very evil and aggressive “administrators” that manipulate article and harass anyone who tries to write for them. They have been known to use IP data and actually hack ordinary peoples’ computers. The user who did the hacking is still active and their username starts with A.
Write for Saabsunited, not Wickedpedia.
Snowshoe said on January 24, 2012
I would not mind to pay a donation to Trollhättan kommun to help with their investment in purchasing the museum.
Could someone at SU talk to the kommun and ask them to set up an account where the money can be sent?
If 40 000 pay 100SEK it adds up to 4 million SEK.
That would be a nice gesture for a great thing done
liftarn said on January 25, 2012
Don’t SU have a list of people willing to donate money to the museum already? Perhaps something that can be used.
Johan Wallander said on January 24, 2012
This is great news! The light is in the tunnel and I can see it!
hilmar said on January 24, 2012
Fantastic ! And it reveals that something is moving … Come on, the next step should be done and Saab should be saved !
StateofNine said on January 24, 2012
Great job!
steham said on January 24, 2012
Fantastic news!!! A big “THANK YOU” to everyone involved!! The Wallenberg family know how to honor the legacy of Swedish industry, a legacy they’re a big part of! I feel such a gratitude to those who show “a big heart” to our beloved brand SAAB!!
visserjr said on January 24, 2012
This is really fantastic news. Congratulations to all the parties involved. Could that be the first good sign?
900_S said on January 24, 2012
Great news! And a great picture of great cars, Jörgen!
conkers said on January 24, 2012
That 92 with the V6 engine is really nicely done.
I was the guy who modified the cylinder heads on pokers Saab endurance racer engines… It troubles me that the car has no engine, no soul.
I would be happy to port a new head and assemble a new engine for that car as a thank you to Poker for his part in saving the museum.
Pass on my regards…. contact me via http://www.racing-green.com
Trued said on January 24, 2012
Conkers,
I will convey this information to Wallenberg. That would be such a nice gesture from You in the true SaabsUnited spirit.
———————–
Guess I need to talk to You about the Saab-Scania 2.0l B-engines with Turbo for the SUHRT cars…. Get back to You soon.
JoPlSe said on January 24, 2012
I’m not a religious man, but thank’s god!
Eric G said on January 24, 2012
Very good news, griffin up !!!!!!!!!!!
Cokeisit said on January 24, 2012
Really great news!
Looking forward to visit the museum this summer
Arne Visser said on January 24, 2012
Such good news !!!! One more reason to go to Sweden this summer. SAAB History saved.Now hope that there is a similar path for the future.
Trued said on January 25, 2012
Saw that last night… Great webpage looks like You guys knep what You are doing. Impressing track-record!
conkers said on January 24, 2012
Trued,
My phone number and email are on my website…
Call me anytime..
Mike
Jan Olesen said on January 24, 2012
Wery good.
Looking forward to some more good news.
Greetings from Norway and Denmark.
Jan
larssverre said on January 24, 2012
Thanks Trollhättan, Saab AB thanks and thanks Wallenberg’s because you did not let the receivers dispel the legacy of Saab.
Patricia said on January 24, 2012
I love my 2011 Saab, which I leased in July 2011, however, I went to get my oil changed early January and had to pay for it, which I didn’t love. Especially since my monthly payment includes warranty, and oil changes, which I pay EVERy month. This seems so wrong! Since my monthly payment includes oil change, and warranty, but Saab can’t honor my warranty, then shouldn’t my monthly payment be discounted?
Joe Boyne said on January 25, 2012
Hand the keys back. That will sort them.
DP said on January 24, 2012
Is it possible for SU to organize/coordinate several levels of membership for those who wish to support the museum?
Perhaps associated with an occasional email/photos of the museum?
DP
saabsessing said on January 24, 2012
Keep the good news coming! I hope the museum has plenty of room for examples of future models…
Red J said on January 25, 2012
Bids are accepted for the “Friends of the Saab Museum” Club membership with the number 0001.
TimR said on January 25, 2012
Red, you’ll need to put a lot more zero’s ahead of that number to cover for all the members who’ll be signing up
Red J said on January 25, 2012
This would be the first series, for the real Saab nuts.
Joe Boyne said on January 25, 2012
Museum saved but broken away from parent company. Does this mean the liquidator is selling Saab (if it can keep its name) bit by bit? I thought its better as a whole.
Paddy said on January 25, 2012
If they are selling off the museum on its own does that mean they are breaking it up bit by bit? Hope not.
100%Saab said on January 25, 2012
Finally, some good news!
David-SAAB said on January 25, 2012
Step 1 of 2!
Great news!!
KaiC said on January 25, 2012
Congratulation !Things are to be well gradually.
OLEH said on January 25, 2012
Thank you Wallenbergs, SAAB AB and Trollhättan! Special thanks to Saabunited for being positive through difficult times for SAAB. SAAB it is not just a car, it is state of mind!!!
zippy said on January 25, 2012
Here here. +9
Tobbe said on January 25, 2012
Poker is a true Saab-fan
http://www.realtid.se/articlepages/201001/27/20100127153650_realtid807/20100127153650_realtid807.dbp.asp
simpan97 said on January 25, 2012
YES !! I have lisen to the news in months to hear what is going to happen with the Saab museum and finally I see this ! Thanks to all the buyers !!!!
I <3 Saab
Black Arrow said on January 25, 2012
Very Nice!
conkers said on January 25, 2012
@Black Arrow:
I think they always ran it with odd wheels… the fronts were the same as they ran on the 9-5 wagon previously. Magnesium?
The front suspension was pretty beefy and tricked out to handle to 550+ bhp.. not sure what it was off… possibly had different bolt fittings…
Mike
Black Arrow said on January 28, 2012
Thanks for the reply, so it has nothing to do with a crash and putting spare parts on.
Oskar Malmgren said on January 25, 2012
I think it was good that the museum was sold of from the company. This situation should not be repeated in the future. This unique museum must be protected from happenings like this and be independent in the future even if the company Saab is restarted. Once again a great thanks to Trollhättans stad, Saab AB and the Wallenbergs!
tknage said on January 25, 2012
YES!
Allan B said on January 25, 2012
Great news. I visited with my wife in 2007 and looking forward to returning with my family, ideally when the museum also contains an example of the next-generation 2014/5 models.
Bullnose said on January 25, 2012
Great news!
The involvement of Saab AB should not be underestimated.
They may not want to buy / run Saab Auto, but they hold the key to many things by controlling the name.
Mandy said on January 25, 2012
SUGGESTIONS
- The SAAB Museum Inauguration -
Why not organizing an official Grand
re-opening of the Saab Museum in spring with TV and media invited for a
nice Ceremony and ribbon cutting. Hopefully lot of Saab fans and SU members would be attending thus forming a nice crowd.
Also why not inviting “Poker” Wallenberg to “cut the ribbon” along with Trollhattan Kommun leaders.
-Inside the Museum, suggest a nicely developed board where the City of Trollhattan and maybe also
“Saab Fans around the world” are extending a THANK YOU to those saving the Museum. Their names could be displaced on the boards. If they agree to it, their pictures could be framed and placed next to the Saab Museum saving board.
On the inauguration day, maybe also some sort of market stand with Saab items and other car related items could be placed for sale on the parking lot outside the museum, maybe even along with some “meeting tents”
where Saab friends and SU members could “meet and chat”. Also the next door Innovatum restaurant could be asked to remain open on that day/time.
- SU Membership no. 1
Should that one not be given as a Member of Honour to “Poker Wallenberg”.
Or is that a too “small” thing for a gentleman of his status?
And no. 2 to Trude and no. 3 and following “low numbers” to the SU site staff. I think all those people had a lot of say and worked hard making the Museum Saving coming true?
- PHOTO ALBUM OF SU AND FAN CLUB
GATHERINGS IN THE SAAB MUSEUM LIBRARY
The Saab Museum could get a small library division where hopefully donations could bring along various books or whatever printed material there is talking of and picturing Saab history and any Saab related issue from the early days up to xxx
There could also be SU albums where you may place photographs sent by SU gatherings and Saab fan clubs gatherings from around the world.
Also records with addresses of the Saab Fan clubs around the world.
Don’t know if such material would be proper inside the museum, but it could be something to again proof the world how many people and countries from around the world are actually involved in Saab issues. Also of course visitors’ books where Museum Visitors could sign in their visiting date along with their name and country of residence. And every SU member or Saab Fan club member from outside (and within also of course) Sweden could take his picture at the Museum entrance next time he visit and send the pic to SU to be posted on a special “I Was There tag +
album ” with visiting date, name, country of residence on the SU site.
Also every visiting member from outside Sweden could by a postcard at the museum (such need to be organized for selling), and mail the postcard to his own home address and to his local Saab Fan Club. Thus Saab postcards
would be “flying around” all across the Globe, hopefully making a little bit of promotion to all those people happening to see the Saab car on the
postcard or receiving such a postcard.
Of course, Saab shades for the car windows could be produced and sold at the Museum (think shades is what you call those sun protecting things you place on the inside of the car windows..). Saab caps, Saab Museum T-shirts are also items that could be sold along with postcards of the Museum entrance as well as of specific cars from the Museum collection. Surely the name of Trollhättan is to be written on Saab Museum items to promote our city as well.
Wrote a lot.. are you still here. lol?