Photo contest!
Capture ”Saabandan” in a photo and compete for a unique VIP weekend in Trollhättan!
1st prize:
Jan Goldenbaum
Germany
1st prize:
Jan Goldenbaum
Germany
”In 1993 I visited the Saab booth at the Frankfurt International Motor Show as a 20 year old, without any signs of wealth or the capability of buying a Saab 9000 CD. Even the camera was a simple point and shoot model. Nevertheless, the employee tried to clear a space for me to take a photo of the Saab 9000 CD shown. This friendly gesture made me like Saab even more.”
Jury’s opinion: A small gesture in a snapshot which meant a lot to Jan. One day he eventually bought a Saab 9000, and stayed true to the brand. We would like to welcome Jan to Trollhättan and show him the same kind of hospitality as the Saab employee in the image.
2nd prize:
Linnea Persson
Sweden
2nd prize:
Linnea Persson
Sweden
”A few years ago I bought a 96 V4 together with my parents. My niece and I have taken many trips and picnics with it since then. She loves riding it as much as
I do and as much as my parents. The picture of my niece and the V4 was taken at the large quarry on Kinnekulle during one of our excursions.”
Jury’s opinion: Even a short trip can be memorable. A twisty road to a nice place where you can stop for a ”fika” can be as enjoyable as an adventure cross continents. When the young copilot loves it as much as the driver, you know that there is a good chance that ”Saabandan” will pass on to next generation.
3rd prize:
Lynda Meakin
Wales
3rd prize:
Lynda Meakin
Wales
”Chris Mulhal took this picture of my husband Ian, rallying the Saab 96 long nose two stroke. The picture shows him on a special test in South Wales Switch Gear Abercarn. The picture depicts his well known, spirited driving style on two wheels. Not on the roof like his hero Erik would have been! Motoring News featured this photo, reporting that “he took his Saab to and beyond the limit.”
JURY’S OPINION: That’s the way to go! Spirited driving is something that Saab owners are used to. A small car with a tiny engine, but good road holding and a skilled driver can work wonders. Just look at Erik Carlsson, and Ian!
4th–10th prize
Johan Bekkers
Belgium
”The picture is taken on a campsite in Switzerland and it shows the set-up during my stay. I like it because it shows the car in it’s full glory in a brilliant environment. For the past years camping between 95% of mobile homes a lot of people come over for a chat about the car, and more Saab lovers than you can think off.”
4th–10th prize
Erik Stenkula
Sweden
“Here I am standing in red between my father and my younger brothers. We have just transported home a flagpole that my father wanted for his 40th birthday. It was an exciting journey to be a part of, transporting a thing that is so long with our small Saab 96. But above all, the picture symbolizes my relationship with my brother, who is eight years younger than me, who is holding the red flag at the far end. He is so much younger than the rest of us that, as the oldest of the siblings, I still feel a special tenderness for him.”
4th–10th prize
Neo Tsai
Taiwan
”The Saab 9-5 is the most classic design in the Saab cars family. In the picture three Saab 9-5 with strong Saab characteristics (original version, first facelift and second facelift) ran in the same diamond formation as Saab fighter jets. I’ve been a Saab owner for almost 30 years, and Saab has become a part of my life.”
4th–10th prize
Krister Karlsson
Sweden
”The picture shows my son’s rally car, a 4-speed Saab 90 1987 Group E, being pulled by my Saab 99 GL Super from 1977. Loaded and ready for the competition. In my world, Saab is synonymous with motorsport, even though it’s been 45 years since they officially stopped competing. The Saab Spirit was probably there from the first rally competition, beating the bigger dragons with Saabs small two-stroke engines, and how fun it must have been to win over the Ford factory team with the V4 engine that came from Ford. 🙂”
4th–10th prize
Jean-Claude Luijcx
Netherlands
”I took this photo in Finland during a road trip with my 96 in January 2024. I drove from the Netherlands to the Arctic Circle in Sweden and back via Finland. 5 434 kilometers in one week with the 96 in the famous Scandinavian winter conditions, which the 96 performs perfectly in and is designed for. The car in the photo is one of three Saabs I own. The 96 is in the garage next to a 99 and a 9-3 convertible. Saab is a way of life 🙂 .
4th–10th prize
Ed Shorer
USA
”In January of 2023, I won an auction for this 1969 Saab Sonett II V4 that had been abandoned in a garage for many years. Three longtime Saab experts (Don Goguen, Mark Rheude, and Glenn Roberts) volunteered to work on it to make it roadworthy. Even Mark’s teenage neighbor Garrett lent a hand, since he is eager to learn to work on older cars. Over a few months with a few all-day sessions this Saab community of friends got it to the point where I could drive it home.”
4th–10th prize
Maria Kristoffersson
Sweden
”The picture is a time document that captures the essence of Saabandan – community, ingenuity and the joy of being on the road together. In the 1960s, our excursions with the Saab were something to look forward to. The ride itself was part of the experience: we children sat unbelted in the back seat, laughing and bouncing along winding dirt roads, while clouds of dust swirled behind us. In the front seat sat mom and dad, with the coffee basket at mom’s feet and the glass thermoses carefully wrapped in towels to keep them warm.”
Congratulations to all the winners!
Our photo contest has now been decided. The winners were presented during the museum's fiftieth anniversary party on Saturday, September 6.
We are very grateful to everyone who participated in the competition by sending in beautiful and personal photos. They have shown great commitment and contributed to conveying their image of the "Saabandan", which we find very exciting.
We received over 200 entries from many different countries. Among the winning entries we find participants from Germany, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, the USA, Taiwan and Sweden. This shows once again that the interest in Saab cars is an international phenomenon.
During the museum's anniversary party on Saturday, September 6, the winners' entries were presented on a screen in the museum. Two of the winners were also present, so they received their prizes on stage outside the museum during the afternoon.
All winners are presented below. The winners' photos will soon be published both here on our website and on Facebook and Instagram.
1st PRIZE
Jan Goldenbaum, Germany
2nd PRIZE
Linnea Persson, Sweden
3rd PRIZE
Lynda Meakin, Wales
4th–10th PRIZE
Johan Bekkers, Belgium
Erik Stenkula, Sweden
Neo Tsai, Taiwan
Krister Karlsson, Sweden
Jean-Claude Luijcx, Netherlands
Ed Shorer, USA
Maria Kristoffersson, Sweden
How do you capture ”Saabandan” in a picture?
Is it an old faded Instamatic picture of a heavily loaded 99 on the way to the summer cottage? Or does the picture show you lying in the gravel changing the gearbox on a Saab 96? Maybe an artistic picture of a freshly washed 900 reflecting in the water? One thing is for sure: There are many memorable moments where a Saab has been the main character in the story. Share your Saab memories and compete with your photo!
Saab Car Museum are announcing a photo contest to see how ”Saabandan” – The Saab Spirit – can be captured in a picture. Great prizes await those who best succeed in the task. The winner is offered a tailor-made visit to Trollhättan for two with good food and comfortable accommodation. Of course, a visit to the Saab Car Museum is included in the program.
OBS! Anmälningstiden för tävlingen har gått ut. Vinnare presenteras i anslutning till museets femtioårskalas lördag 6 september.
- Great prizes including a VIP weekend in Trollhättan are up for grabs.
- Submit your entry by August 24, 2025.
- Competition form and more info available at saabcarmuseum.se/fototavling
- Winners will be announced during the Saab Car Museum's fiftieth anniversary party in Trollhättan on September 6, 2025.
What is the Saab Spirit ”Saabandan”?
”Saabandan” is a somewhat mythical concept. The phrase first appeared in an advertising campaign in the late sixties. Common sense, sportiness and a sense of economy were qualities that Saab owners had. The cars' characteristic features such as front-wheel drive, road holding and reliability were also typical qualities that characterized the "Saabandan. All according to the advertisers.
The term ”Saabandan” has also been used internally among those who worked at the company. Employees have often referred to team spirit, open and non-prestige communication, and loyalty to the innovative company that was a small "underdog" in the global automotive market.
But what does the "Saabandan" mean to you, and which image do you think best captures the concept today? Now you can compete with your photograph and help clarify the meaning of this somewhat vague expression.
Entrance fee
1st PRIZE
A unique VIP weekend in Trollhättan for two people
You will stay comfortably at Albert Kök Hotell & Konferens for two nights Friday–Sunday. On Saturday evening you will be treated to a delicious dinner at the hotel's restaurant. During the weekend, the winner will also receive an exclusive tour of the Saab Car Museum and a guided tour of other local attractions in collaboration with Visit Trollhättan Vänersborg.
2nd–3rd prize
Iconic Car Box
An exclusive limited edition box containing 16 photographs of iconic Saabs. The photos are taken by award-winning photographer Johan Wedenström and are printed on high-quality paper. The box also includes a 40-page printed publication with a description of the cars depicted and unique interviews with various Saab personalities who have in one way or another influenced the history of Saab cars.
4th–10th PRIZE
A high-quality poster with an illustration of ”Ursaaben”
The image was created by the legendary illustrator Rony Lutz and is only available for purchase at the Saab Car Museum. Rony Lutz produced thousands of illustrations during his employment at Saab from 1969 to 2003. Not least the detailed X-ray images have become classics, and Rony has contributed like few others to bringing the story of Saab's models and innovations to life. If anyone has illustrated the Saab Spirit, it is Rony. The poster, which measures 50x70 cm, is delivered in a cardboard tube.
Competition rules
- Submit the image that you think best shows ”Saabandan” via the competition form, no later than Sunday, August 24, 2025.
- The digital image uploaded should be of good quality and printable in A4 size. The higher the resolution, the better.
- The photo can be brand new or taken from a 50-year-old photo album.
- The picture can be taken by you or a family member. The important thing is that you have the right to use the picture. So it's perfectly okay to take a picture from grandma and grandpa's photo album as long as you have their permission.
- Submit where and when the picture was taken, and who took the picture.
- Write a short text describing the picture and tell us why you think the image shows ”Saabandan” in a good way.
- Briefly describe your own relationship with Saab, and why you would like to win a VIP weekend in Trollhättan.
- Winners will be selected by a jury consisting of representatives from Saab Cars Magazine and Saab Car Museum. The jury's decision cannot be appealed.
- The jury does not primarily look at the technical quality of the image, but which competition entry best captures ”Saabandan” in the image.
- Winners will be announced during the Saab Car Museum's fiftieth anniversary party in Trollhättan on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
- By participating in the competition, you agree that the Saab Car Museum may use the image in its exhibition. The image may also be published on the museum's social media and used for PR purposes to promote the museum and the photo competition. The image may also be printed in publications published by the Saab Car Museum or its partners.
- The winner of the VIP weekend in Trollhättan will pay for their own travel to and from Trollhättan.
- The winner of the VIP weekend must use their winnings by no later than May 2026.
- The date for the VIP weekend is determined in consultation with Saab Car Museum and Albert Kök Hotel & Konferens and must be booked at least two months in advance. Together we will do everything we can to ensure that the winner has a memorable weekend in Trollhättan, but since there are certain dates that do not work for practical reasons, Saab Car Museum and Albert Kök Hotel & Konferens have the right to refuse the requested date.
- The winner's stay in Trollhättan will be documented by Saab Car Museum and pictures may be published on social media by Saab Car Museum, Albert Kök Hotell & Konferens and Visit Trollhättan Vänersborg.
- It is not permitted to transfer any winnings to another individual.
Competition form
OBS! Anmälningstiden för tävlingen har gått ut. Vinnare presenteras i anslutning till museets femtioårskalas lördag 6 september.
Fyll i formuläret och ladda upp din bild via Filetransfer. (SWE)
Fill out the entry form and upload your image via Filetransfer. (ENG)
