|
|
The million mile Saab is big car news this week. The car actually had 1,001,385 on it, but its odometer read 000000 after turning from 999,999 not too long ago.
This model Saab was one of the 7,625 SPG's that were imported between 1985 and 1991 when its production ceased. The million mile car was owned by a salesman who made his living traveling.
He donated his newly detailed car to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford, Wisconsin. The Saab was a 1989 900 SPG model. Peter Gilbert owned the car for 17 years. Saab verified the car had over one million miles on it before it was taken to the museum for display.
The car's transmission had been replaced at about 200,000 miles, but other than regular maintenance replacement parts, and a few repairs that had to be made after several accidents (8 to be exact) involving deer, the car had most of its original parts.
Gilbert purchased the Saab in November 1989 for about $29,000.00. He decided to buy himself the car after his divorce as a gift to himself.
It just goes to show us what regular simple maintenance can do for our vehicles. Gilbert always used quality synthetic oil for his oil changes, he carefully followed the suggested maintenance program, and changed his tires every 45,000 miles.
Now that man certainly got his money's worth with Saab, and in fact has replaced his million mile model with a newer, less traveled, Saab vehicle.
The museum is home to many Kissel Motor Cars which were manufactured in Hartford from 1906 until 1931, and Nash models which were manufactured in Kenosha.
Other exhibits include:
Reo Cars,which were made in Lansing Michigan from 1905 to 1936
Pierce-Arrows, which were made in Buffalo, NY from 1901 to 1938
Pontiacs, which were produced from 1909 and still are
Studebakers, which produced an electric car in 1902 and began to produce gas powered cars in 1904 thru 1966
Chevrolets, which were produced since 1911 and still are
Fords, which produced since 1903 and still are.
If you ever happen to be in Hartford Wisconsin, stop in at the museum, it would most likely be very interesting to see.