Martin T16s, Author at SAABSUNITED

Great sadness here in the UK today.

August 1, 2016July 21, 2016 by Martin T16s

Today we hear of the sudden passing of a truly lovely, warm, charismatic ambassador for SAAB not just here in the UK but abroad too.

Jonathan Nash was a great Managing Director of Saab GB who always showed huge enthusiasm for the brand and had a knack of making everybody in his company feel at ease.

During my time with SAAB at dealership level I met him on many occasions both at events and during his dealership visits. It was at these dealership visits that the first thing he would do upon arrival was to go around each individual in each department and have a relaxed chat with them before heading upstairs. A small gesture you may think but it meant a lot to the staff and he knew it. The last time I saw him was at Erik Carlssons funeral and he still had that lovely warm caring nature. He will be missed by so many.

Please see attached message from Corin Richards, Managing Director:

It is with great regret and sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Jonathan Nash, who passed away during the night on Tuesday, after suffering a heart attack.

Jonathan was a charismatic and energetic man, who worked with Saab GB since 1989, culminating in his stewardship as Managing Director from the launch of the 9-3 (9440) series in 2003 until 2010, when he took up a senior management position at Saab Automobile. Since 2012 he had been working as a Director with the consultancy and training group, PHM.

Our thoughts at this very sad and shocking time are with the family he leaves behind; his wife Helen and their 3 children.

Regards,

Corin Richards / Managing Director

“SAABS IN WALES” THE 2016 SOC GB NATIONAL IN WALES

April 1, 2016March 31, 2016 by Martin T16s

For the first time in 23 years the UK Saab Owners Club National is being held in Wales this year from 29-31 July 2016.

This is a particularly proud moment in the short history of the Welsh branch of the Saab Owners Club Dragon Saab, due in part to the fact our club was formed only 3 years ago and also due to a very healthy and active club which has managed to secure this prestigious event and bring it back to Wales in such a short time since it’s formation.

We are now at an advanced stage in the organisation and have secured an absolutely stunning location being Pembrey Country Park in West Wales. This venue is in an incredibly beautiful part of Wales with a huge range of facilities and amenities. It is located right on the Gower Peninsula and boasts EIGHT miles of golden sands! There are also 550 acres of beautiful woodlands within the location. Also to be found is a 130m long dri ski slope and the longest toboggan run in Wales. These are just a few of the extensive range of activities available making it the perfect family location and a great venue for a Saab National.

We are able to offer caravan and camping facilities with electric or there are a number of local hotels and guest houses. Our itinerary is guaranteed to provide a memorable event with some already booking for longer to combine it with a short holiday.

Here is a list of all on offer at Pembrey, something for everyone I am sure you will agree. Plus in addition to this we have organised a great schedule of entertainment and food throughout the weekend.

Eight miles of golden sands at Cefn Sidan beach
550 acres of idyllic woodlands.
350 caravan/camping pitches..
The longest toboggan run in Wales.
130 metre long Dry Ski Slope.
Forest adventure playground.
Cafe Bar.
Manicured parkland for frisbee, cricket, and football.
Large adventure playground.
Outdoor Laser Tag.
Soccer Zorb.
Segways.
Picnics & designated BBQ sites.
8 Wildlife trails with set routes plus beach walks.
Natural parkland.
Visitors Centre.
Beach kiosk.
Sea fishing facilities.
Corsican pine forest.
Conservation pond with bird hides.
Cycle Hire.
Horse Riding.
Pitch and Putt.
Crazy Golf.
Miniature Steam Railway.

We sincerely hope some of you here will decide to come along to what promises to be a national to remember!!

Below you will find links to the booking form and local area. If you would like further information please contact me at [email protected]

http://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/

http://saabclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=471:2016-saab-owners-club-saabs-in-wales-online-booking&catid=962&Itemid=435

RIP Mr SAAB.

May 27, 2015May 27, 2015 by Martin T16s

It is with huge sadness that we learn today of the passing of our dear friend and true legend Erik Carlsson.

Erik was and will remain a founding father of the success and worldwide awareness of the SAAB brand. His legacy will remain with us and his name synonymous with the word SAAB.

On behalf of the whole SAAB community our deepest condolences go out to his family at this sad time.

RIP ERIK, you will never be forgotten.

Saab Of The Week

May 2, 2015May 2, 2015 by Martin T16s

This week our SOTW comes from Patrik from Cincinatti Ohio USA. Here is the story of his lovely 93 Sport Saloon…….

Hi Martin—

Pictured here is my 2003 Saab 9-3 2.0T in steel gray metallic. Although 12 years old, with only 61,000 miles, it feels and looks many years newer. I never go too long without receiving compliments on the car’s near-mint appearance!

I have been a Saab fan for my entire life and have owned the car for over three years now, and have made some additions including the 2008-style “ice block” tail lights, silver-painted trunk handle, rear bumper reflectors, a custom Swedish-style license plate, steering wheel buttons with the Aero-style metallic trim, and some custom chrome trim around the dashboard as inspired by the newer 9-3s.

Overall, it is a very well-equipped 9-3 and includes bi-xenon headlamps, rear parking sensors, power moonroof, front fog lamps, and the 210 hp 2.0T engine. It is an absolute joy to drive and I plan to add additional Saabs to the fleet in the coming years.

From Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,

Thanks—

Patrik Hornak

If you would like to have your car featured as SOTW then please email me some picturea along with a write up and I will feature it.

Regards,

Martin

[email protected]

Saab Of The Week

April 11, 2015April 10, 2015 by Martin T16s

This week’s SOTW comes from our friend Guiseppe in Italy and just happens to be another Convertible with yet again some stunning scenery.

Keep them coming folks!!

“Hi Martin

Please find here I have some pics of my Convertible 9-3 MY01 Hirsch Tuned.
I’m using it not very often but every time I’m driving it it’s real fun !!!

I live in Trieste, Italy

Help required.

April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 by Martin T16s

I am looking for the following part for my 1988 900 T16s.

It is the throttle dash pot actuator valve, also known as throttle release diaphragm. If anybody can help I would be very grateful. Obviously I am willing to pay a fair price for a suitable part. Many thanks.

Saab Of The Week

April 4, 2015April 4, 2015 by Martin T16s

This week’s Saab Of The Week comes from Marco in Andalusia, Spain. I always like it when owners take the time and effort as Marco has done here to photograph their car in spectacular locations. I am sure you will all agree this is a lovely car shown off in a stunning location. Well done Marco

Bien Hecho!!!!!!

“Hi Martin:

Since I purchased my first 9-3 December 2000, I always had the “obsession” to get another drive sometime this model, and now Aero Convertible.

In 2009 I finally achieved my goal by acquiring a unit with less than 100K Kms. In Belgium. In this time it has become the center of our leisure travel around Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany …)

No doubt it is a SAAB with personality, high level of performance and equipment as well as being one of the SAAB that will remain as a reference mark. We are about to celebrate the first 100K miles and I hope to grow old aboard the coming years.

I hope to be worthy of inclusion in the prestigious selection of SOTW.”

greetings:

Marco Fernández

The Fast and Furious, Neo’s 96ss takes flight!

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 by Martin T16s

Two very good friends of mine, Alex Rankin and RobinM were both extremely fortunate over this past weekend to be invited by Neo Bros to witness and experience the inaugural track testing of the fantastic Saab 96ss. Here is their story, told by Alex…….Well, what can I say? Robin and I felt extremely privileged to be asked along to the inaugural test run of Neo Bros Saab 96 SS. We arrived at Bedford Autodrome on a bright but cold March the 30th day and received a very warm welcome from everyone that had been asked along to witness the culmination of many years of hard work, designing and building this super Swede! If you cast your minds back to 2013, the unveiling of the 96SS took place at the Saab Festival in Trollhattan to rapturous applause and admiration by all that attended. It has taken a further two years to have the car ready for its first outing on the track. A lot of dedication and attention has been put into getting this car to be the best it possibly can through design, technology and engineering skill. But even after all that, the only way to find out if you in fact have got it right is to drive it. And get it right they did. Boy does this car fly! There is a little bit of tweaking to be done here and there, but overall Neos are extremely happy with all aspects of the car. Nick took me out on the track for an experience I will never forget. The power and performance from this 475 bhp monster is incredible, especially when informed by Nick that he was ‘taking it easy’ and limiting its 8500rpm potential to around 6000rpm. We were quickly charging down the back straight at 125mph, although it had reached 130mph a while earlier. Nick told me that once run in, speeds in excess of 160mph will be easily attained.

Shortly after this I experienced something that can only be described as surreal. Here I was, a passenger in a Saab 96, chasing down a BMW M3 at well over 100mph and hanging on its tail through some of the tightest bends you could ever imagine and loving every minute of it – incredible is not the word!

The relationship between a racing driver and his car can be likened to the relationship one human being has to another. Over time you learn everything there is to know, how to handle, respect, and treat that person, to know that person’s limits, in effect become one with that person. A racing car is no different. The same rules apply. This is a new relationship and Neos have to get to know the car’s limits and how to handle it in all situations. This will in turn give them the confidence to push it to those limits and ultimately extract the maximum performance, becoming one with the car.