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Journals

Friends and associates of Hagstrom Saab have some pretty strong views about the superiority of the Saab brand, as you might expect. Please choose a journal below and read what our learned enthusiasts have to say...

Pick your Hagstrom Saab correspondent here>> | Stuart's Spin-offs | From the Archives | Alan's Column | Tommi's Restoration Projects | Emma's Reports | Notable Saabs | asd | Sonetts Surely! | Saab God | Enthusiast Links | Ashley's Other Saabs | Newsletter | 123 | 123 | asd | Open Forum | Nigel's Noggin | Matt's World | Owain’s Adventures

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Picture of journalist    
Picture of journalist

Matt's World

One man’s sermon from the mount

02/11/2010

New 9-5 Estate

02/11/2010

All Hail a New Breed of Motoring God

15/10/2010

New 9-5 (Addendum)

06/07/2010

The New Saab 9-5

17/03/2009

The Curse of the Lead Right Foot

06/03/2009

Saab, in Trouble??!!

05/03/2009

Beware the Four Chrome Rings

05/03/2009

David Llewellyn Owen: a Memorial

03/03/2009

Are there ANY Saab crazed Girls out there?

29/11/2006

Oddballs

02/02/2006

The Unicorn

02/02/2006

A Re-acquaintance with the Saab 9000

08/12/2005

The New Saab 9-5

03/12/2005

Our Country is Disappearing up its own A**e Part III

03/12/2005

Dual Flow Filtration Part III

06/10/2005

Farewell to Scandinavian Blue

09/06/2005

Dual Filtration Part II

13/05/2005

Dual Flow Oil Filtration

03/05/2005

My Saab of the Moment!

09/03/2005

Mixed Emotions

09/03/2005

Why are the T16S 900's being scrapped in droves?

03/02/2005

Question: Where does Classic end and pile of s*** begin?

03/02/2005

When is a Saab not a Saab? When it's a Subaru

03/02/2005

Born Free, Taxed to Death

01/05/2004

Back in the Saddle ..

15/11/2003

The classic Saab 900 1978-1994

19/04/2003

Saab 99 buyer’s guide

01/04/2003

Stay safer in an older Saab!

01/04/2003

Petrol £6 a gallon...? But apparently it’s on the cards

Question: Where does Classic end and pile of s*** begin?

I read with great interest most articles in magazines like: Modifying Retro, Classics, Practical Classics and a plethora of other titles that encompass my own fascination of motor cars of a certain age, but I can’t help being disappointed in Greg Whitaker and Mark Robinson’s choice of “classic” vehicles. Both of the above are on the editorial staff of “Classics” Magazine and both drive cars that would have both these eegits sacked on the grounds of professional credibility if I was in charge of said publication.

How can anyone take anything these two pillocks say seriously when their own choice of vehicles are a 1983 Triumph Acclaim and a 1978 Austin Allegro respectively.

As frequent readers of my drivel will know, I’ve had a long love affair with Saab 99’s and 900’s but understandably because of the superior quality of these particular automobiles. They were designed and produced so well that they surpassed safety legislation that wasn’t even implemented in this country until 1985. They are wonderfully built, have superb on the road dynamics and look totally individual when compared with 90% of other road traffic.

These cars were built, not assembled. They were designed to last the test of time. They are beautifully finished and exhilarating to own and drive. They are modern Classics.

By comparison, both the Triumph Acclaim and the Austin Allegro were PILES OF S**T WHEN THEY LEFT THE FACTORY. They were in their time both woefully behind the competition in absolutely every regard. Both of these cars are an embarrassment to the British Motor industry as a whole.

They encompass the stranglehold that prats like Red Robo had on BRITISH Leyland in the seventies leaving them £3.80 to develop their new models.

I am sick of the debate as to what can be called a classic. I am tired of coming into contact with people who cling to the promise that their Austin Maxi, Princess, Allegro, Ambassador, Morris Marina, Ital, Triumph Acclaim, Toledo and TR7 are on the verge of Classic status irrespective of the rampaging rust eating its way through the dustbin of a body. Classic status should only be granted on the grounds of the manufacturers’ credibility of the car in question.

OK if the said Austin Dustbin has been preserved to Concours standard, then the saddo in question should be given a certificate saying something along the lines of well done, you’ve preserved something not worth preserving, but saying that, said Saddo’s car could be used in a How Not to Guide for the motor industry as a whole.

As for Mr Whittaker and Rolinson, it is a simple choice: either get a life and a decent car or get a new job editing “Rust Bucket Monthly”.

Anyway, rant over. Well, until the next one of course.

Best wishes


Matt

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