A Gathering Worthy of a Brand That Refuses to Fade
In a year when Saab hasn’t produced a new car for over a decade, the 42nd Saab Owners Convention (SOC42), held July 16–20 in Parsippany, New Jersey, drew an astonishing 715 attendees and 368 registered cars. According to Hemmings, this was the best-attended SOC since 1997, a testament to a community that refuses to let the brand fade quietly into history.
The Sheraton hotel grounds, 30 miles west of New York City, became a sprawling Saab haven. From concours-ready Sonetts to pristine 9-5NG SportCombis, every Saab ever sold in the US—including rarities like the “Saabaru” 9-2X and “Trollblazer” 9-7X—was represented. As SCNA president Shelly Baxter quipped during the Saturday banquet, “Not too bad for a brand that’s been gone 14 years.”
For a closer look at the weekend’s energy, SaabPlanet readers can watch Marcus & Manuela’s Saab Channel highlights and their coverage from Liberty Park. Their footage captures the heart of SOC42: the cars, the people, and the unmistakable sound of Saab turbos and two-strokes.
“Partsippany” Lives Up to Its Name
One defining theme of SOC42 was parts. The club officially dubbed the host city “Partsippany,” transforming the Sheraton into a parts bazaar. The headline presence came from Saab Original Parts North America (Hedin Parts Group), which hauled in a tractor-trailer loaded with OEM and NOS parts. Volunteers arranged everything from full body panels to branded apparel inside a ballroom, where enthusiasts browsed like kids in a candy store.
Tim Colbeck, Hedin Parts North America president (and Saab Cars North America’s last CEO), addressed a packed audience about parts availability. “We continue to actively source and develop new Saab components, even leveraging 3D printing for small-batch runs,” Colbeck told Hemmings. “This sale wasn’t just about moving inventory—it was about showing owners that we’re still here to keep their Saabs on the road.”
The vendor mix went beyond OEM stock. Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists operated a mobile refinishing unit, local Saab garages showcased custom builds, and the Vintage Saab Club of North America ran its much-loved Ridealong program, giving newcomers seat time in two-stroke 93s, 95s, and Sonetts—complete with the nostalgic haze of blue oil smoke.
Track Day at Pocono: Turbos, Grip, and Grins
SOC42 wasn’t just about parking lots. On day one, over 50 Saabs—ranging from track-prepped 900 Turbos to daily-driven 9-3 Aeros—hit Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania for a day of high-speed laps. Divided into novice, intermediate, and advanced groups, participants received professional briefings before putting their Saabs through their paces.
The Marcus & Manuela footage captures the day’s highlights: 900 SPGs slicing through corners, Viggens flexing their torque, and owners rediscovering why Saab always marketed itself as the driver’s alternative to BMW and Audi.
Seminars That Educate and Inspire
Over two days, nine “SAABinars” provided technical deep-dives and history lessons for enthusiasts. Topics ranged from C900 dashboard LED upgrades to advanced Tech 2 diagnostics, but a few stood out:
- Nik Krueger’s Cannonball Run session, where the record-setter recounted his Saab 9-5 Aero exploits (without revealing dates or routes).
- Jerry Danner’s C900 five-speed teardown, helping owners keep these transmissions alive.
- Larry Lautenschlager’s V4 rebuild guide, crucial for keeping 95s and 96s rally-ready.
With over 80,000 Saab parts catalogued in Nyköping, Sweden, and a 48,000-square-foot Hedin warehouse in New Jersey, Colbeck reassured attendees that Saab ownership is far from doomed.
A Saab Family Reunion – Across Generations
Unlike some classic car scenes dominated by aging demographics, SOC42 revealed a multi-generational Saab following. NJ.com reported how teens like Mercer Mauldin-Young, an 18-year-old co-owner of a 1988 900 SPG, confidently critiqued live Trionic 5 conversions while seasoned veterans looked on.
Father-son duos, women enthusiasts, and first-time owners mingled freely with long-time collectors like Fredrik Ekendahl (who owns 25 Saabs and flew in from Stockholm). “More and more owners today are what I call ‘purposeful’ Saab owners,” Colbeck noted. “They’re here because it’s a Saab, and they want to preserve and restore these cars for decades to come.”
This shared passion is fueling rising Saab values. Autoweek highlighted how classic 900 Turbos (1988–1994) now command $20,000–$30,000, with five-speed SPGs earning top dollar. Even late-model 9-5 Aeros, like a Lazer Red 2008 example for sale at $12,900, are fetching interest thanks to meticulous restoration.
Why SOC42 Mattered
SOC42 wasn’t just a convention; it was proof that Saab’s legacy is more than nostalgia. Fourteen years after the last Trollhättan-built car, the community remains active, innovative, and growing. From parts sourcing and track days to ridealongs in 60-year-old Saabs, the event underscored why, as Jerry Danner puts it, “SOC is the family reunion you actually want to attend.”
For SaabPlanet readers who missed Parsippany, the full flavor of the event lives on through Marcus & Manuela’s YouTube coverage and the original media reports from Hemmings, Autoweek, and NJ.com.
For those already looking ahead, SOC43 is set for July 16–20, 2026, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Expect Saabs under Saturn rockets—and likely, another record-breaking turnout.
Cannonball record-holder steals the spotlight at SOC42
One of the most talked-about moments at this year’s SOC42 in Parsippany came when Nik Kreuger rolled in with his legendary Saab 9-5 Aero — the very car that completed a New York–LA–New York Cannonball Run in just 61 hours and 59 minutes. Standing before an engaged crowd of Saab enthusiasts, Nik shared the full story behind his high-speed cross-country runs, the technical challenges, and why he chose a Saab over German rivals.
Relive the moment and learn how this car became a part of Cannonball history:
Cannonball Run Supremacy: Nik Kreuger’s Saab 9-5 Aero stuns at SOC42
That picture of the hotel must be computer generated as the Sheraton doesn’t look like that. It does resemble a castle, but just not like that. Nice story!