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I know Turbin was cheering for a Prodrive takeover of Saab to restore some racing pedigree and bring some pride back to the brand.
Unfortunately it looks like Prodrive may have their hands full taking over Honda’s Formula One team.
Strike another (remote) candidate off the Saab ownership list!
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Factoid #457234 that show how little GM like to do for Saab compared to other brands:
If you’re a Saab owner, you can’t even get a set of genuine, factory backed driving pedals from Hirsch in the United States (or Australia). However, if you’re a Camaro enthusiast you can already order your own body-in-white from GM Performance parts for just $7,000 and build your race machine exactly the way you want it.
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Jalopnik do a list as only Jalopnik can – Ten Cars and the type of girls they attract. The late-model Euro tuner’s the one of interest and the jacked up off-roader is a crackup.
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A quick flick through the Christmas presents post will tell you that Rogan received a Garmin GPS unit off the fat bloke in the red suit.
He’s been plugging away, creating some groovy flash screens for it, which he invites you to use if you have the know-how.
They’re in this folder at Flickr.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Karen
// Dec 27, 2008 at 11:36 am
Jalopnik’s got it backwards, and a sexist sense of humor. Sarah Palin would be driving a Saab if she were not a U.S. politician – take a look at the design of the Palin home, and convince me otherwise.
You tell me what car Hugh Jackman or Daniel Craig drive, and THAT is the hottest car. Clint Eastwood’s new film ‘Gran Torino’ could be what saves Detroit.
Interesting that the prostitute allegedly attracted by the Mack Daddy Pimp Cadillac is actually getting picked up by an Audi.
The sexiest man in my previous life (88-96) drove an old Volvo wagon, which was a serious disconnect for me. Gave him a pass for car practicality.
2 Jeff
// Dec 27, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Karen – If you saw their joke and just thought “sexist,” you’re seriously missing the point. Regardless of who Sarah Palin actually is, she represents the kind of people who might drive a jacked-up Suburban, or a Hummer, or an F350 duallie, and so on.
I loved that list, though I thought Integra Girl was a cheap shot.
3 Tedjs
// Dec 27, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I have to say – selling Camaro bodies as well as manufacturing all the associated powertrain hardware and selling it through its dealer network is a really smart move on the Generals part. Having all that stuff in place prior to the vehicles introduction as well is a good move – it should generate a lot of enthusiasm for the car. And we all know GM needs all the enthusiasm it can muster right now.
It is one of the smartest things GM has done since they started equipping most of their vehicles with factory remote smart and keeping the kid’s at Best Buy away from all the sensitive electronics on today’s vehicles.
There is quite a bit of money to be made with bolt on parts etc. and the aftermarket has been taking it out of all the automakers pockets for years – they need to get in the game. Plus the OEM stuff has the best potential to work seamlessly with the vehicle.
Ignoring the Hirsch products for Saab (or any other brand) is silly of course, but GM has missed the potential of Saab for so long it is hard to believe they will every ‘get it’ – especially now.
4 Dippen
// Dec 27, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Saab VS the Law
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2073432.ece
5 Robin M
// Dec 28, 2008 at 12:32 am
£36,000?? I think I’ll try to sell her mine!!
6 Karen
// Dec 28, 2008 at 2:23 am
@Jeff – if ONE of those cars had had Jennifer Connelly or Charlize Theron or Angelina Jolie in the photo, then I would have thought the rest a bit funny. Otherwise, Jalopnik was just being mean. Late model Euro-tuner gets a pierced Goth?
I could see Sarah Palin in a Ford pickup, but actually her photo belonged with the 80’s muscle car. Regardless of your politics, Todd Palin is a hunk who would have had an 80’s muscle car. Guys who own a jacked-up off-roader are not interested in girls…
Maybe Jalopnik should have had photos of the men who own such cars to make it humorous.
7 1985 Gripen
// Dec 28, 2008 at 4:27 am
Newest USA Saab commercial
8 Bernard
// Dec 28, 2008 at 8:09 am
Prodrive and David Richards have made a mess of F1 every time they’ve tried. Apparently Aston Martin is up for sale again, so I don’t think they will bid on Saab.
The latest rumour is that (Mexican mobile phone magnate) Carlos Slim is buying the former Honda f1 team. At least he’s got the funds to make it through the next season.