“We Don’t Sell Cars – We Deliver Saab Dreams”: Inside the Meppel Empire That Keeps Saab Alive

The Saab capital of Europe is not Sweden – it’s Meppel

Forget Trollhättan. If you’re searching for the living pulse of Saab in 2025, you’ll find it in Meppel, the Netherlands. Here, two family-run specialists – Saab Specials and Saab Partners — have transformed a modest town into the undisputed epicenter of Saab culture.

When Daniel Kolkowski of the YouTube channel En PK-fri kanal visited Saab Specials, he wasn’t walking into just another dealership. Guided by Cassandra Timmer, daughter of owner Wim Timmer, he stepped inside what feels like a living museum, workshop, and shrine to Saab heritage.

With more than 100 Saabs on display, Saab Specials is the largest of its kind in Europe. As Cassandra notes, visitors from across the continent have told her: “You’re the biggest in Europe.”

A legacy forged in passion, not profit

The story of Saab Specials begins with Wim Timmer, a young mechanic who encountered a Saab for the first time over five decades ago. That first drive was transformative: “I want to do this. This is my job,” he declared.

What started as Veha Timmer Automobielen evolved into Saab Specials, today a household name in the European Saab community. Wim’s dedication turned a small garage into an empire, and now, with his daughter Cassandra taking an active role, the legacy continues.

Even Cassandra’s grandfather, now 80 years old, still works three days a week in the garage — proof that Saab is more than a business here. It’s a family vocation.

Unlike corporate dealers, Saab Specials owns every car outright, free of loans and bank pressure. That independence allows them to operate on passion rather than profit, curating a showroom that reflects Saab’s breadth and soul.

More than a showroom — a Saab Universe

Step into their facility at Oeverlandenweg 1, and you’ll enter a Saab universe. At peak, 110 Saabs line the showroom, with around 85 on display at the time of Kolkowski’s visit.

From early 900s and Viggens to the final 9-5 NGs, each car represents more than a vehicle. It’s part of Saab’s history, presented with reverence.

The crown jewel: a custom 2014 Saab 9-3 Aero

One standout example is the 2014 Saab 9-3 Aero, one of just 400 ever built in Sweden. Originally Jet Black with zero kilometers, Saab Specials reimagined it as a concept-like build:

• Matte Sunbeam Yellow wrap, black roof intact
• Interior detailing to match the exterior
• Unique wheels and rare spoiler
• Apple CarPlay added for modern functionality

At €56,000, this car demonstrates how Saab design remains timeless — ready for reinvention even in the 2020s.

The rarity of the two-tone Saab 900 cd

Equally rare is the two-tone Saab 900 CD, a long-wheelbase executive sedan from the 1980s.

• Only 480 units built
• Fully restored at Saab Specials
• Features a built-in mini bar for traveling executives

Cassandra calls it her personal favorite, noting that it “drives like a magic carpet.” With its smooth ride and spacious rear, it represents Saab’s bold experimentation in blending comfort with quirk.

Behind the scenes: the workshop that keeps Saab rolling

The real magic happens in the workshop. With four lifts, a full inventory of parts, and Cassandra herself assisting, the team ensures every Saab is roadworthy.

• Parts pipeline: Saab components still arrive via Hedéns in Sweden, with next-day delivery.
• Circular economy: Cars that can’t be restored are dismantled for VAT-free used parts.
• Complete service: From oil changes to full engine swaps.

This infrastructure keeps Saabs on the road long after most brands would have faded.

Saab Partners: Meppel’s second Saab pillar

While Saab Specials thrives on scale and authenticity,Saab Partners, run by Dirk Koppen, takes a slightly different approach. They specialize in complete restorations, often rebuilding Saabs from the ground up and experimenting with modernizations — even electric conversions.

Though they operate separately, Saab Specials and Saab Partners together make Meppel the true capital of Saab in Europe. One preserves originality, the other reimagines the brand’s potential — both ensuring Saab’s survival for future generations.

A global destination for saab enthusiasts

From Germany and Switzerland to Taiwan and the USA, buyers flock to Meppel. The Dutch youngtimer tax scheme makes these Saabs attractive, but it’s the passion and trust that truly draw enthusiasts.

For many, buying a Saab here isn’t just a transaction — it’s a rite of passage.

The future of Saab – continuation, not resurrection

Saab Specials, under Wim and Cassandra Timmer, shows that Saab doesn’t need a factory to live on. Its spirit is carried forward by families, enthusiasts, and communities who refuse to let it vanish.

In Meppel, Saabs aren’t just preserved — they’re reborn.

More From the Dutch Saab Scene

While Saab Specials Meppel continues to set the benchmark for craftsmanship and innovation, another inspiring story is unfolding not far away in Slochteren. There, former Holland Casino manager Ronald Kleinstra has built Orphyum, a workshop where Swedish design meets Dutch determination.

Read the full story about his remarkable journey and the rise of his Saab Garage in Slochteren here → Ronald Kleinstra’s Saab Garage Story.