Four Saab 9-3s, Four Different Chapters: Alex Hoogland’s Dutch Collection
Dutch enthusiast Alex Hoogland has assembled four distinctly different Saab 9-3s: a modified 1999 Coupé, two Convertibles and an Arctic White Griffin Aero 2.8T V6.
Dutch enthusiast Alex Hoogland has assembled four distinctly different Saab 9-3s: a modified 1999 Coupé, two Convertibles and an Arctic White Griffin Aero 2.8T V6.
The Dutch youngtimer market was thrown into chaos by a sudden tax proposal that threatened the viability of older business cars. Now a parliamentary motion may reverse the decision - a development welcomed by Saab specialist Dirk Koppen, who helped bring the issue into the spotlight.
Dutch lawmakers are tightening the youngtimerregeling, shifting the age threshold to 16 in 2026 and 25 in 2027. TopGear NL expects a surge of Saabs for sale and a reset in pricing - one that could reward buyers who know what they’re looking at.
Saab Club Nederland chairman Merlijn Kalkman doesn’t collect Saabs to count them. With eighteen cars spanning Saab history, his story explains why ownership becomes identity.
The Netherlands has long been a safe haven for Saab ownership. A sudden youngtimer tax change now puts that entire ecosystem under pressure.
When Ronald Kleinstra left his management career at Holland Casino, few expected him to return as a Saab specialist. Four years later, his workshop in Slochteren has become a beloved stop for enthusiasts across the Netherlands, blending craftsmanship, independence, and Saab spirit in equal measure.
In a quiet Dutch town, Saab Specials stands as a fortress of passion. With 100+ Saabs, from rare two-tone classics to custom 9-5 NG builds, it’s not just a showroom — it’s where Saab dreams live on.
NatSaab 2025 brought together over 650 enthusiasts and 320 Saabs in Best, Netherlands, for a sold-out celebration of the 9-5 NG, highlighted by an exclusive design talk from Simon Padian.
At the 2025 NatSaab gathering in Best, 550 Saab enthusiasts will celebrate the legacy of the 9-5 NG, the electric Emily prototype, and hear a rare design talk from Simon Padian.
On June 21, 2025, Saab enthusiasts head to Deventer for the debut of the Midsommar Classic—a night rally blending historic grit with modern challenge. It’s not nostalgia. It’s motorsport.
