Part 1 of this event diary is here and I highly recommend you read it first to get a feel for things leading up to this instalment.

I’ve deputized 1985Gripen as a TrollhattanSaab representative at a press event being held by SaabUSA in San Diego. This is his story.

I should mention that much like myself, Gripen’s not very good with full names, and doesn’t drink very often. Just in case you miss it in the text.

This is a long instalment, but well worth the read. Gripen’s a regular Saab enthusiast just like you and me. This is our attempt to bring you right into the event.

Pictures will start floating in over the next few days…..

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The dinner

I don’t know where to start. First of all, the reception began at 6:00 out on the rooftop terrace. I arrived to see candles around the modernist terrace grounds and several tall tables illuminated from the inside, each topped with a little silhouette model, the kind you see at the dealer as a color sample. Around these tables were gathered several people, none of which I recognized except Erik Carlsson, who stood out not simply because of his height, which is impressive, but because he was the only person wearing light-colored clothing. It was a zippered creme-colored sweater embroidered over the left side of his chest with the word “SAAB”, also in creme I would discover later.

Too intimidated to introduce myself to Mr. Carlsson, I slowly tried to blend in to a group of about ten people. Immediately a tall man came over and introduced himself as Jan-Willem Vester. Mr. Vester and I had spoken on the telephone before the event so he was the only person with whom I had any prior contact. We immediately began discussing our SAABs, and I asked him about the C900 5-door he has in storage in his native Netherlands.

I had to reluctantly admit to him that I had to drive my company-supplied fleet car (a Dodge Stratus) to the event because I still have not completed the removal of the head from my 1985 900 Turbo to replace the head gasket. It’s been on my “to-do” list for months now. I know… I know… I warned the valet parking attendant that I knew the exact mileage on the Stratus and not to take it out for a joyride, as tempting as that might be.

Shortly thereafter Mr. Bob Sinclair, former President of SAAB USA introduced himself and we were entertained by stories of him running the Baja 1000 race in the mid-1980s. His stories were great and he’s a very personable guy. He lives somewhat near where I live. After that Jay Spenchian came over and introduced himself. When I explained I’m there to represent TrollhattanSAAB he remembered being interviewed by you and relayed to me with glee that you were trying to hit him up for a position at SAAB!

(Glee, huh? Hmmmmm – SW)
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Right now, as I sit in my office typing this stuff up, a regular at this site, 1985Gripen, is in San Diego enjoying some Saab hospitality at the 60th Anniversary media event there.

He’s surrounded by historic Saabs from GM’s Heritage Collection and will be hanging with all the Saab USA people as well as Mr Saab himself – Erik Carlsson.

I asked Gripen to take this on as a Trollhattan Saab representative for a few reasons. First and foremost, as a thankyou for his efforts documenting the LA Auto Show recently. Second, he’s a regular Saab guy but without an intimate knowledge of the company’s past and I thought this would be of real benefit to him as a passionate Saab fan. Third, he’s never been afraid to voice his opinion on issues here and I thought this would give him a great insight into the company from a first-hand perspective. Finally, he lives relatively close so it wasn’t an impost on him to get there.

Gripen’s just arrived, checked into his accommodation and written this. It wasn’t meant to be a blog post, but it was sooooo good I asked his permission to publish it.

The excitement and enthusiasm of a regular Saab guy getting to check out what the motoring press take for granted is literally palpable.

Thanks Gripen!

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I feel like freakin’ James Bond! Valet parking, then I’m in the hotel and I get my room (after a scare that my reservation had been cancelled – turns out they accidentally booked me twice, once with my name spelled “McGill” and once with it spelled “Mc Gill”. The woman was looking at the wrong one…).

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