4 Crappy Cars Parked in DC

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Twist to an otherwise Saab Story

First gen-Saab 9-7x in front of operating Saab dealer in the Chicago suburb of Lansing, IL.

Lets start this post off with a brief History of General Motors relation to Saab and why this dealer, Like very few others across the country is an important automobile landmark.

As it was announced in December 2009, A middle seas automaker announced it would acquire the property rights and production equipment for the previous generation Saab 9-3 and Saab 9-5 in a deal for the company to run production for three months.

The buyers intention was to create a new brand around the purchased technology and admitted to the purchase of three overall vehicle platforms, two engine technologies and two transmission systems.

The sale fell through.

Brings Saab lovers back to a better time in the auto industry.

General Motors announced the brand would be eliminated in 2010 if it failed to secure a buyer before the close of 2009.

As talks with several firms failed, including the Netherlands-based boutique supercar maker Spyker, GM formally announced its intention to wind down the Saab brand by 2011 in North American sales.

Favorite model in the group.

Earlier bidders Spyker and Merbanco revised their offers and were joined by a submission from Luxembourg-based Genii Capital, which boasted the support of F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.

GM continued accepting bids until a self-imposed deadline of January 7, 2010.

Acknowledging that the chances for reaching a deal with any party were very slim, they pledged to evaluate each offer with due diligence.

2003 Saab convertible and 2005 Saab sedan

On January 26, 2010, General Motors confirmed that Spyker and GM had come to an agreement allowing Spyker to purchase Saab, subject to regulatory and government approval.

The sale was completed on February 23, 2010.

General Motors would continue to supply Saab with engines and transmissions, and also completed vehicles in the shape of the new Saab 9-4x from GM's Mexican factory.

The deal included a loan from the European Investment Bank, guaranteed by the Swedish government.

It comprised US$74m in cash up front, payable to GM by July 2010, and shares in Spyker to the tune of US$320m.

As Saab is reportedly began production again in 2014, there might be a chance that they will return to America, as Alfa Romeo and possibly MG are doing sometime this year.

Its good to see a functioning Saab dealer as their hasn't been a new Saab sold in this country for over two years, which isn't that long ago, wait 10 years, they try a hunt down a Saab.

This is more of a Saab repair shop and Museum, than a dealer, but great to see on a fine summer evening.

>some shots of the dealer and cars seen:

Marker sign and modern classic Saab modeled in the distance.

Dealer viewed from the highway.

Top it all off with a Swedish flag.

Saab sign and logo painted on building.

Location of dealer:

Flikkema Saab- 2424 East 176th Street, Lansing, IL.

Spotted a UAZ-469 in Palatine, IL.

The UAZ-469 is an off-road vehicle manufactured by UAZ [( Ulyanovsky Avtomobilny Zavod)-which translates to "Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant")].

It was used by Soviet and other Warsaw Pact forces, as well as paramilitary units in Eastern Bloc countries. 

In the Soviet Union, it also saw widespread service in all state organizations that needed a robust off-road vehicle; standard military versions include seating for seven personnel.

The UAZ-469 was introduced in 1971, replacing the earlier GAZ-69. The UAZ-469 presented two great advantages: 

It was able to drive in virtually any terrain and it was very easy to fix. 

The UAZ-469 reached legendary status for its reliability and off-road ability. 

The vehicle was not available for purchase by the public, but many were sold as surplus to private owners.

Holden GTO Or a Pontiac Monaro?

As a usual Saturday goes, if i'm not going to work, I involuntary make my rounds through some of Naperville's best car dealerships, more commonly known as dealerships... there will be more humor than just that coming up shortly. I am usually hunting out the latest model to review, possibly test drive something, or find something that I never expected to see and oodle over it all day.

A future classic muscle from down under is the Holden Monaro, Australia's version of of our short lived 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO.

2004-2006 Pontiac GTO

2006 Holden Monaro

At Naperville Auto & Cycle Sales, I spotted this GTO with the Holden badge on the back, but not the front, which was clearly the Pontiac...

The GTO in question

A Holden badge that can easily be bought through eBay

This was a change of pace, exciting to see a Holden badge in America, I have loved Holden since 2008, and 2010 when I went to New South Wales Australia.

Its been a very popular trend to buy cars and switch the badgeing and passing it off as something not available in America.

There is a facility in Denver,CO, called Left Hand Utes where they legally buy the parts for Holden Commodores and Utes and swap the parts of Pontiac GTO's and G8's to make US registered Australian master pieces.

Some shots of the back of the properly badged models for reference:

Pontiac GTO

Holden Monaro