- Thread starter JOCCO
- Start date
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
My crystal ball is a little cloudy, but here goes. AFAIK, the Saab plant in Sweden wasn't shut down...not yet. GM just made the decision to stop production, so that usually means they need to use up the production parts inventory on hand [as opposed to the service parts inventory, which is a different matter].
Lat me give you an example from history. Hudsons were built from 1909 thru the 1957 model year. Generally, in the 1950's a new Hudson was over $3000 new...compared to about $2000 for a Chevy or Ford. But by 1958, my dad could buy a low mileage 1952 Hudson Wasp Hollywood 2-door hardtop for $250.
Some people will bail on Saab, and some will become collectors/hoarders. That will affect the resale value of the cars. Parts availability will be whatever it is, sheet metal [fenders/hoods/doors] will end when supplies are exhausted. Mechanical parts will continue to be made by aftermarket suppliers [at least for several more years], because they still have an owner body to sell to. When parts become unprofitable, they'll disappear.
That's my understanding on how it'll come down. Part of it is based on history, part of it is based on experiences with AMC products as a parts manager.
And any other conclusion is a SWAG ["scientific" wild-azzed guess].
Lat me give you an example from history. Hudsons were built from 1909 thru the 1957 model year. Generally, in the 1950's a new Hudson was over $3000 new...compared to about $2000 for a Chevy or Ford. But by 1958, my dad could buy a low mileage 1952 Hudson Wasp Hollywood 2-door hardtop for $250.
Some people will bail on Saab, and some will become collectors/hoarders. That will affect the resale value of the cars. Parts availability will be whatever it is, sheet metal [fenders/hoods/doors] will end when supplies are exhausted. Mechanical parts will continue to be made by aftermarket suppliers [at least for several more years], because they still have an owner body to sell to. When parts become unprofitable, they'll disappear.
That's my understanding on how it'll come down. Part of it is based on history, part of it is based on experiences with AMC products as a parts manager.
And any other conclusion is a SWAG ["scientific" wild-azzed guess].
Zube Stumbo
Member
My SIL is a Saab mechanic at a dealer here in Louisville, Ky. They also sell other exotic brands, so he will have to bone up on another make I guess. I would like to see him go to a good Ford dealer here. He just finished another Saab school this fall. He has been there eight years so his job is secure so far. Of course one of the owners nephews who can't fix a Briggs three horse and has only been there two years will keep his job if push comes to shove...
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
No doubt GM will provide parts and service for the later (GM) models through other dealerships for some time, at least ten years. The newest Saabs share a lot of components with other GM models. As for parts for the old V-4 models, I would imagine parts are already tough to get.
Keep reading the large cities want adds. Town over a million have a lot of cars listed. In the more rural area you can find older cars in bone yards. Large cities bone yards usually don't go back more than 5 or so years. Saab dearler about two mile away just openned a new from the ground up Saab dealer ship. Talk about boned.
Still see a Daewoo every now and then very few Yugo's or Vegas.
Orphans have a cult following for each model.
Still see a Daewoo every now and then very few Yugo's or Vegas.
Orphans have a cult following for each model.
Federal law only requires a make a car maker to provide parts for 7 years, so I don't know what difference losing Saab is going to make (for parts availability).
I've got a 98 Dodge Grand Caravan AWD, and many of the parts for that have been unavailable for years. So, having the company remain in business doesn't always help much.
Wasn't the Saab Jerry Sienfeld's favorite car?
Back in the 60s, we used the two-stroke Saabs as woods-buggies. Little chainsaws on wheels. Front wheel drive with keys on the front axles like a go cart (broke many).
I've got a 98 Dodge Grand Caravan AWD, and many of the parts for that have been unavailable for years. So, having the company remain in business doesn't always help much.
Wasn't the Saab Jerry Sienfeld's favorite car?
Back in the 60s, we used the two-stroke Saabs as woods-buggies. Little chainsaws on wheels. Front wheel drive with keys on the front axles like a go cart (broke many).
Not sure where you were going with the Hudson analogy, but I was going to comment (as a Hudson guy) that Hudsons haven't been manufactured for 50 years, but through a close-knit hobbyist following, salvage yards, several folks making repro parts, and generic parts still available through NAPA, you can still get about anything you need. Saab is off-beat enough that you can be sure that its situation will be similar.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Dad was a Hudson dealer, so I know exactly what you're talking about. Wish right now I had a '46 or '47 coupe with Commodore trim, with either a Twin-H Hornet engine and the '53-'54 overdrive transmission and rear end or done as a street rod with a modern V8. While we're wishing--since wishing is free--I'd also like a '54 Jet coupe and a '54 Hornet hardtop in a jade metallic.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I used to work for that dealership...twice, in fact: from '83-'85, and then again from '87 to '93. Very true about the owners nephews...family always comes first for the Vines. When I was there, their 401(k) plan was set up for employee contributions, and "discretionary profit sharing" contributions from the owners. In the entire time I was there, the owners kicked in $0.00.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
There's an old wives' tale about US manufacturers being required to support "orphan" brands with parts for 10 years...no such law exists. Now, if it's profitable, GM might choose to provide parts support for 10 years; if not, they'll "fire-sale" the on-hand inventory and drop it like a hot potato.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
So unless GM changes its corporate mind, the "Trolls" at Trollhattan will have to take up a new line of work
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
NO.
Trollhattan was the city/town in Sweden where Saabs were once assembled. Not sure if they still are or not these days, but they were back in the 1980's and 1990's.
While it might be in fashion on these boards to slam the US and Canadian auto workers, I choose not to. These folks just did the jobs they were asked to do; they didn't design the crap cars OR the good ones, and they didn't specify materials. Folks higher up the food chain did that, but the auto workers catch all the crap for it.
Trollhattan was the city/town in Sweden where Saabs were once assembled. Not sure if they still are or not these days, but they were back in the 1980's and 1990's.
While it might be in fashion on these boards to slam the US and Canadian auto workers, I choose not to. These folks just did the jobs they were asked to do; they didn't design the crap cars OR the good ones, and they didn't specify materials. Folks higher up the food chain did that, but the auto workers catch all the crap for it.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Walterdavies
Member
We Saab owners were saved this weekend a company in Denmark (i think) is going to buy the Saab company.
I have a 1969 Saab Sonett still under warranty.
Walt
<a href="http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/WaltDavies/?action=view¤t=Sonett-10.jpg" target="_blank">
![Sonett-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket](https://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/WaltDavies/Sonett-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket)
</a>
I have a 1969 Saab Sonett still under warranty.
Walt
<a href="http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/WaltDavies/?action=view¤t=Sonett-10.jpg" target="_blank">
Walterdavies
Member
My Saab came with a window sticker that said "Built in Trollhatten by Trolls"
Walt
PS sorry about Denmark it is Dutch.
Walt
PS sorry about Denmark it is Dutch.
Billy Shafer
Well-known Member
No such law about parts being supplied for any car. I was told by several people that work for GM and Ford.That they are not required to supply parts outside there network if they chose not to.
In Michigan, a "troll" is anybody that lives "under the bridge", or to be more precise, on the lower peninsula. So, when you put "troll" and "hattan" (like from NYC's Manhattan) together, I thought just maybe it was a new word for urban Detroiters. Nothing to do with autoworkers.
Do you ever hang out on the Hudson board? Its www dot classiccar dot com, click the appropriate forum button.
I guess my favorite would be a '54 Wasp Hollywood hardtop- a little shorter than the Hornet, proportions look better. I'll take mine in red and white, thank you very much.
If you're a Jet coupe fan, had you heard about the one factory prototype convertible? Some guy had it in his backyard, almost rotted into the ground, and someone finally talked him out of it, before it was everlastinly too late. Souers family from Illinois, famous Hudson guys, restored it (they got a Jet coupe parts car, and no one really knows how much of the final product came from each). Google hudson jet convertible, pics are at the first item on the list.
I guess my favorite would be a '54 Wasp Hollywood hardtop- a little shorter than the Hornet, proportions look better. I'll take mine in red and white, thank you very much.
If you're a Jet coupe fan, had you heard about the one factory prototype convertible? Some guy had it in his backyard, almost rotted into the ground, and someone finally talked him out of it, before it was everlastinly too late. Souers family from Illinois, famous Hudson guys, restored it (they got a Jet coupe parts car, and no one really knows how much of the final product came from each). Google hudson jet convertible, pics are at the first item on the list.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Mike, I was not even a wee lad when Hudson and Nash merged in May of 1954...I was born about 4-1/2 months later. So I grew up a Rambler kid, but I always liked the lines of the '47-'47 coupes [a convertible would be the ultimate for me!], and while we had that '52 Wasp hardtop as a family car until 1964, I really didn't like the "scowl" the Hudson grilles had '51-'53. And like most of Dad's customers, I wasn't a big fan of the '55-'57 "Hash", which was neither fish nor fowl [though I would like to find a '56 Hornet Special with the 250 AMC V8 and overdrive].
And you're absolutely correct...the lines on the '54 Wasp ARE more proportioned to the shape of the car, than those of the Hornet. I remember a '54 Hornet coupe Dad sold that was "tomato-soup" red with a cream top...would've looked better in a bright red. But that car had the LL [4.89?] rear end, and would actually turn the tires in 3rd gear from a standing start [car had overdrive, of course].
And you're absolutely correct...the lines on the '54 Wasp ARE more proportioned to the shape of the car, than those of the Hornet. I remember a '54 Hornet coupe Dad sold that was "tomato-soup" red with a cream top...would've looked better in a bright red. But that car had the LL [4.89?] rear end, and would actually turn the tires in 3rd gear from a standing start [car had overdrive, of course].
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
I've visited Trollhättan several times. It's a very nice, small city whose denizens do, in fact, call themselves "trolls". It has what I'm told are very impressive waterfalls, but I've never had the opportunity to see them: the practical Swedes have them completely turned off and divert all the water to operate the canal locks and hydro plant. They turn the waterfalls on for a few hours each week in the summer.
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
True, there's no legal requirement for GM to provide parts and service for its orphans, but the company doesn't want to completely alienate Saab and Saturn owners. Of course Saab owners are, if anything, even less likely to buy another GM car than Saturn owners.
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