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Trollhattan, Gothenburg and Copenhagen..... Posted by Mike Lynch [Email]  (#81) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Mike Lynch) on Wed, 24 Sep 2003 16:53:28
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I had post mostly typed out on Monday when I got back to work, but I couldn't remember where and when I was so I had to look at the itinerary to refresh my memory. I had lost a day because including the time change it took a day and a half, Sun A.M. to Monday midnight (local times) to go San Diego to Atlanta, to Paris and then on to Gothenburg and another hours cab ride, in a 9-5 diesel wagon, to Trollhattan.
Ronnum Manor, where all the Saab folks stay and where they put you up for free when you take European delivery, is on the outskirts of the village of Trollhattan and is an elegant country estate with antiques everywhere except for freshly remodeled bathrooms. Very luxurious and comfortable with great food.
The first day was a visit to Saab Ana, the huge mega Saab dealer close to the factory where European delivery customers physically pick up their cars. Saab Ana re-sells all the Saab employee and corporate cars, as well as new and used Saabs too. I believe the number was about 300 Saabs a month total! Then it was on to the Saab museum for an elegant lunch overlooking the museum. The star of the museum, the original 92 from 1947, was on a "business trip" to the Franfurt Auto Show, but I did see the 9-3X up close in and out and the 9-X and an entire roomfull of ...00001 serial number cars and the last cars produced of every series too. The afternoon was the Saab factory tour. I've only ever seen the Saturn plant and the Saab factory was also very impressive. Your Saab is likely mostly built by a very young, 25ish, labor force who looked to be very conscientious, competent and happy. Saab has the highest quality 'cause we've got the newest and best robots. For much of the time 9-3s and 9-5s go down the same line.
The next day was a tour of the area in four brand 2004 convertibles, two in Arc trim in the lime yellow, but with 2.0t 175hp engines and automatics, and two black Aero 6-speeds. About 200 miles in all out to the coast at Lysekil for lunch. Rolling hills, lots of water and boats, green, green, green and very tidy. The Saab museum where we finished our convertible excursion is right next to some serious shipping locks and we were lucky enough to see a huge Russian ship pass through.
That night is was down to Gotherbug and the also old, elegant Hotel Eggers right down in the center by the train and trolley stations. Next morning was a tour of the canals, but the wind and high tide made some of the bridges so low we had to seriously bend over and get down to avoid them. The afternoon was free and we took in the "World's Largest Ship Museum" at the harbor including a diesel "U-bat" (submarine) in very servicable condition and a destroyer. Central Gothenburg has more shops in it than I can remember anywhere else and a big, modern, multi-level mall too.
The next day we hopped the train to Copenhagen with Xavier (Javier) and his wife Pat of Saab of Albuquerque New Mexico, delightful couple. It's about a four hour train ride on a very modern electric train through gorgeous coast and countryside. In Copenhagen we did the famous "Walking Street" and finished up at Tivoli Gardens, the 160 year old amusement park that Walt Disney used as the prototype for Disneyland.
Back to Gothenberg the next day and the premier of a ballet at the beautiful, modern Gothenburg Opera house right on the harbor that evening.
Leave Gothenburg at 6:40 a.m. and then a five hour layover in Paris, so we took the train to the Louvre. Saw the Monna Lisa along with thousands.
Through Atlanta and back in San Diego at 8:40 p.m. local time the same day and they only lost one of our bags, mine, which was delivered intact yesterday.
If you're considering a European delivery, even if you're not in my area, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to share even more.
Mike Lynch 619-208-1230
Marvin K. Brown Saab San Diego
onurtoz@hotmail.com
posted by 207.158.49...
, Wed, 24 Sep 2003 16:53:28 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 25 Sep 2003 10:31:07
, Thu, 25 Sep 2003 01:50:26, Thu, 25 Sep 2003 20:40:48
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