The Saab Story: It’s Over Now

A sad day today in the motoring world: Saab has officially filed for bankruptcy after former owner, GM, refused to allow the sale of the company to Chinese investors. GM big-wigs had previously noted that they were concerned about protecting the technology that they were still licensing out to the Swedish automaker.

The original Saab - the 1946 92001 Ursaab

Saab CEO, Victor Muller, personally handed-in the bankruptcy application himself, of which is expected to be approved by the district court in Vanersborg.

In a statement from Saab – “After having received the recent position of GM on the contemplated transaction with Saab Automobile, Youngman informed Saab Automobile that the funding to complete the reorganisation of Saab could not be concluded” and added, “The board subsequently decided that the company, without further funding, will be insolvent, and that filing bankruptcy is in the best interests of its creditors”.

It’s sad to see this as the official end for the struggling firm as it has been responsible for creating some of the most intriguing cars on the planet. Saab started building automobiles over 60 years ago and for myself (and many others), their most memorable moments were found on the various Rallying stages of motorsport where it shined for many many years – just ask Stig Blomqvist or Erik Carlsson.

Below, is a hodgepodge of just some of their unique creations and some rallying moments, mostly involving the iconic Saab 96…

The iconic Saab 96

Saab 99 enjoying a forest stage

 

Erik Carlsson - Monte Carlo Rally

 

Carlsson again - a familiar scene, often found pushing the 96 to its limits

 

The uniquely quirky Saab Sonett

 

Saab 99 - still a cool car

 

The Saab 99 Turbo - good fun

The iconic 96 doing what it did best...

...and shone when in the hands of this man

-Blake J.
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