South West Saab go on convoy
As many of you know on the 17th of January there was a big Save Saab Convoy taking place in many Countries around the World. As a group we decided that we wanted to take part and support this great idea which was started by the Dutch.
So just after 6 am I went along and picked Alex up in a black 9-3 convertible I had borrowed from one of our group members, Andy Briggs. Waiting at the end of his road was Mike and Bob who had travelled up from Weymouth in Mikes 9-3. Also waiting was Malcolm and his son who had travelled up from the Dorchester area in a 9-3 TTiD. We three Saabs then travelled to Sparkford where we met up with two more Saabs, a 9-5 Turbo Edition Estate and a Classic 900 with a third one, 9-3, catching us up on route. So six Saabs travelled up to Reading services together with Jerry Peck from Astleys Saab leading the way in his 900 turbo convertible.
At Reading we were greeted by two more classic 900’s and while we chatted and had a coffee we were joined by nearly a dozen more Saabs including a two stroke 96.
Then it was of to Luton in a now much longer convoy.
With out too many problems we arrived at the meeting place at Luton where there were Saabs everywhere. A fantastic sight. I think there were around 120 Saabs parked up. Erik Carlsson was there with his daughter and was happily chatting away with other Saab fans. After about 90 mins small batches of groups started to leave for the drive to Duxford. We decided to go with the roof down so Alex could do some videoing, which is on YouTube. Click this link to see it. At Duxford our car was one of the chosen 50 which was able to park inside the grounds, so after picking up Bob and Mike we went in and parked up with the others. Coffee was a welcome site as we all chatted and met new friends and old. Later in the afternoon Eric and Josephine made a thank you speech and cut into a giant UrSaab sponge cake provided by Cambridge Saab and toasted the convoy and Saab.
Sometime around 4pm all the Saabs started to leave so we taxied Bob and Mike back to their car and started our journey home.
We met up with David Lowe at Fleet services for dinner and another nice chat. Finally dropped Alex off at 9pm. Yes a long but very enjoyable day out.
A big well done to everyone in the club.
Alex and I have put a few photo’s on flickr.com for those interested. You will find them here and here.
