It’s has gone a year, and like last year is this time of year time for a new edition of Saab CabrioChallenge. I got a report and some wonderful pictures from our friend Mioh, thanks for sharing! 🙂
This edition of Saab CabrioChallenge took place in a fantastic sunshine last Saturday, August 20th. This event has been arranged annually since 2008, and attracted even this year a large number of cheerful and pleasant Saab enthusiasts. This year the CabrioChallenge start in Hallstahammar to Färna. The event started as usual little easy Friday evening at “Brukshotellet” in Hallstahammar for those that were in place the day before start.
Saturday morning all attendants were gathered at “Brukshotellet”, and after a welcome greeting and distribution of the roadbook the topless Saabs roll into central Hallstahammar for a obligatory group photo. After the photoshot was over was it time to explore the roads by friendly Västmanland. Along the road to the destination Färna trees, churches, ancient monuments and lakes was passed. When we reach our final destination Färna mansion the afternoon coffee was served, and for those who wanted their spa at our disposal. Later Friday evening all of us was gathered in the mansions main hall there a fine dinner was served for us. We enjoyed the entire evening with good food and nice atmosphere in true Saab-spirit.
Sunday morning started with spa for some and a proper breakfast for all of us. After we had checked out all of us headed for Köping where we visited Bil & Teknikhistoriska Samlingarna (Car and Technological Museum). We got a really excellent guide at the museum with great empathy and expertise guided us through the history.
Satisfied and happy we thanked each other for a nice weekend and the organizers wished all welcome to Saab CabrioChallenge 2017.
And now – the pictures!
Meet at the pump. Friday afternoon at the car wash in Hallstahammar.
Brukshotellet In Hallstahammar, this was where we stay and eat Friday evening.
The cars parked for the night.
Saturday morning and the view from our hotel-room.
Saturday morning. Breakfast – check. Welcome, instructions and road book handed out by the organizers.
Departure.
In convoy to the photoshot
“Firetruck” arrived to the photoshot with some equipment to the photographer. They are spacious the old convertibles.
Saabs in place at the photoshot-site in Hallstahammar. Now we just have to set them up in a nice way so that everyone could fit in the camera’s viewfinder.
Now that’s more like it .
Tada! Twenty-two minutes later the cars nicely set.
Ready with the photoshot, and the we put off cars one by one so they in their own pace to enjoy roadbookens all steps. Some enjoyed a faster rate than others.
Out on the sunny roads of friendly Västmanland.
So happy were the people most of the time. You will be happy to run a topless Saab… 
A church, time to create chaos in true cabriochallenge tradition.
We went nice and slow through the countryside, but someone just before us seems to have a little more in a hurry …
In Västerås we passed Mälaren.
Saab Draken = Nikon moment! 
Ice cream, “fika” and ancient monuments at Anundshög.
On the way to lunch.
Curbs?
Lunch.
Happy after the lunch we set out on the sunny roads again.
Through forest. 
Over meadow.
Cab-company
Cow-company.
“Large forest fire 2014” passed with a lump in the throat. There is nothing small area that burned.
Burned land as far as you can see. And then you should know that about thirty kilometers to the way we see it burned.
Heading for the forest again.
A little shortcut…
Roadbook approaching its final destination and the mood is still on top.
Arrival at Färna Mansion after 223 kilometers.
A very own parking at the mansion made you feel especially welcome.
On the mansion we were treated to afternoon tea. This meal consisted of coffee and a cheese sandwich. Or something similar. 
The manor area was really beautiful. Behind this building was the spa, beautifully situated.
Färna mansion at distance.
Färna mansion, a bit closer. 
Our cars parked for the night after the day’s work well performed.
Dinnertime!
The menu consisted of mackerel, veal and chervil.
After a long glorious Saturday in glorious sunshine with people cheerful smile of well-polished and shiny Saabs it was time to say goodnight. 
Love, love, LOVE that yellow one!
Knock yourself out Angelo! Monte Carlo Yellow Viggen Convertible
According to Swade’s figures, 68 went to the USA. And only 12 in Sweden. It’s a rare bird!
And again: Saab 9-3 2.3 T Viggen 2dr
At least one of these might have been in the Washington, DC area years ago—-I believe I remember seeing one. This area was one of the larger Saab markets in the U.S. because of the large international population.
Great event and great photos. Wish we had something like this in Canada!
The cars aren’t the only beautiful thing in these photos—-the countryside is spectacular too.
What a bunch of beautiful cars and what a countryside. This must have been a lovely Saabish day for all who participated. Not to speak about the nice plates we saw on the pictures in the dining room 🙂