The Dream Of A Saab Hall Becomes Reality
For as long as Saab fans can remember, there has been one recurring dream: a place where the brand’s history could be celebrated, not as a static museum but as a living, breathing collection. In Sölvesborg, southern Sweden, that dream has just taken shape. Mannes Bilservice, a workshop known throughout Scandinavia for its obsessive dedication to Saab maintenance and restoration, has taken over the building next door and converted it into a Saab showroom.
The move wasn’t simply about expansion. For Philip Salonen, who runs Mannes Bilservice, and his long-time collaborator Ola from Olas Prototyp Garage, it was about cementing Saab’s presence in the region. They have been asked countless times by customers if they could showcase special builds, one-off restorations, and rare examples from their personal collections. Now, after years of planning, they can finally say yes.
A Location With Saab History In Its Walls
The new Saab hall is not just any space. It sits in the Sölve industrial area, within walking distance of the town’s medieval core. Once upon a time, Åbergs Bil sold Saabs from this very building. Christian Åberg, who still works with Mannes today, is family to that original Saab dealer. The decision to move into this location was deliberate- history would come full circle.
What was once a dealer showroom for new 900s, 9000s, and 99s has become a showroom for preservation and passion. The echo of past sales now becomes a backdrop for rare cars like a 9-5ng SportCombi prototype, one of only 20 built, and classic 96 and 99 models lovingly restored by Mannes’ team. The connection to Åbergs makes it more than just a convenient real estate find – it is a symbolic continuation of Saab’s local legacy.
From Apprentice To Saab Custodian
Philip Salonen’s journey reflects Saab’s unique bond with its followers. He started in this very workshop as a 16-year-old apprentice. Years later, he would purchase the business and turn it into a Saab haven for customers not just from Sweden, but across the Nordic region. Today, at 35 years old, Filip carries the mantle of one of the last bastions of Saab service in Scandinavia.
His first personal Saab memory is vivid: his mother’s Saab 900 CD, bought here decades ago. That car ignited an obsession that never faded. For Salonen, Saab is not simply a job – it is identity, hobby, and lifeblood. The team at Mannes reflects this spirit. Each mechanic, restorer, and designer is a true Saab addict, working with the same dedication as those who once assembled the cars in Trollhättan.
What To Expect Inside The New Showroom
Step inside the freshly prepared hall and the atmosphere is unmistakable. The polished floors reflect chrome bumpers of early Saab 96 coupes. A row of 900 Turbos, some stock, others modified, line one wall. The opposite side might feature custom-built Saabs with modernized interiors, upgraded drivetrains, and even design experiments that Saab itself never attempted.
The concept is dynamic rather than static. Philip and Ola envision 10 to 15 cars on display at any time, rotated regularly to keep the lineup fresh. This approach allows them to highlight cars from their own collection, from customer projects, and from Saab owners across Sweden willing to loan their vehicles for display. The hall will also showcase Saab memorabilia: vintage dealership signs, brochures, rally posters, and branded furniture. It is part car collection, part cultural archive.
Why It Matters Fourteen Years After Saab’s Fall
Saab closed its doors in 2011, leaving a void not only in the Swedish automotive landscape but in the hearts of thousands of loyal drivers. Yet, Saab culture has proven uniquely resilient. Independent workshops like Mannes keep the cars alive mechanically, but the emotional side of Saab ownership also needs space. That is what this new hall provides.
Unlike a traditional museum, this is not about preserving cars behind ropes. It is about showing how Saabs continue to live, evolve, and even inspire new projects. For visitors, it is a place to gather, share stories, and feel part of something larger. For Mannes Bilservice, it is a statement: Saab is not gone – it thrives in workshops, garages, and now, in this dedicated hall.
The First Cars To Enter The Hall
On the day Mannes received the keys, they couldn’t resist driving a few Saabs inside just to feel the space come alive. Among the first arrivals were a silver Saab 9-7X, a white Saab 96 in pristine condition, and a Saab 9000 – cars representing different eras, yet parked side by side as proof of the brand’s diversity. From rally-born classics to GM-era SUVs, all of Saab’s identities are welcome here.
These cars are only the beginning. The team promises more surprises in the coming weeks. They are preparing to gather rare examples from across Sweden, including cars with factory connections and one-off builds. Rumors suggest that an interpretation of the Saab Aero X concept may also appear, a unique project under development at Mannes. If realized, it would be the only one of its kind in the world.
Community First: A Hall For Enthusiasts, Not For Profit
The new Saab showroom in Sölvesborg will not charge admission. Nor will it function as a dealership. There are no sales desks, no price tags. This is a passion project built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. The only currency exchanged here is inspiration and camaraderie. Visitors are welcome to admire the cars, ask questions, and share their own Saab stories.
In an age where automotive culture often feels commodified, this choice is deliberate. Philip, Ola, and their colleagues want the hall to embody the spirit of the Saab community itself: generous, inclusive, and deeply passionate. By refusing to commercialize the showroom, they are keeping the emphasis squarely on what brought them here in the first place – a love of Saab that runs deeper than business.
Looking Ahead: A Living Collection In Constant Motion
For now, Mannes Bilservice and Olas Prototyp Garage are focusing on getting the hall fully operational. They expect to rotate cars frequently and plan themed exhibitions around Saab anniversaries, motorsport history, and custom innovations. The hall will also serve as a backdrop for events – club gatherings, technical talks, and perhaps even live restoration demonstrations.
But above all, the space will continue to evolve. As Philip says, “This is just the beginning.” With cars still arriving from all over Sweden, and ideas forming for new builds, the hall will never be finished. That is its strength. Much like Saab itself, the hall resists being pinned down. It will adapt, surprise, and inspire with each new season.
Saab Lives Strong In Sölvesborg
In the end, Mannes Bilservice’s new Saab hall is more than just a showroom it is a symbolic act of resistance against forgetting. Fourteen years after the brand was declared dead, a new sign of life appears in a small Swedish town. This is not nostalgia for its own sake. It is proof that Saab’s values – innovation, individuality, and community – remain alive wherever enthusiasts gather.
For SaabPlanet readers, the message is clear: if you ever find yourself in southern Sweden, make your way to Sölvesborg. Step inside the hall, breathe in the history, and witness how a handful of devoted enthusiasts are writing the next chapter in Saab’s story.
