SAAB in the Rearview Mirror

Continuing my conversation with Dave Schurk, this time without any bear interruptions, but with some actual visiting bear video, we continue our discussion about Port functions, FAPS, Stevedores and convertibles. We also visit new topics including accessories such as the infamous Air Flow kits, the first Long Run logistics, functions and scary moments, legendary Saab Engineer and race car driver Ove Hasselberg, audio issues with the early classic 900, working in a “secret” Sony facility, early airbag testing at several technical companies including Hughes Aircraft in California and several more interesting topics. Please enjoy!

Despite being interrupted by a bear, this week’s guest is long time Saab Technical Services employee Dave Schurk. Part One of our conversation begins with Dave’s early career working for his local Peugeot dealership including servicing my father’s 1974 Peugeot Diesel 504! Dave has had an illustrious and varied career involving testing vehicles and products, fixing vehicle in ports, travels to Sweden, Finland and Austria to work extensively on the various Convertible models, staff member at several dealer meetings including Nashville and Palm Springs, working at the first Long Run record breaking event at Talladega, hot and cold weather testing in extreme environments, assisting with Saab’s involvement at the GM Doraville assembly plant, philanthropic activities such as the Fresh Air Fund Bed Races and Habitat for Humanity and many, many more. Please enjoy!

One of the most influential and widely read Saab Bloggers and Webmasters in the “Saabosphere” and eventual Saab employee, my guest this week is writer, reporter, photographer and videographer Steven “Swade” Wade. Steven started writing about his love for Saabs in 2005 and created several highly popular websites including TrollhattanSaab.net, SaabsUnited.com, Inside-Saab.com and Swadeology.com. Through his writings about Saab he was eventually part of the press corps and invited to numerous Saab events including press conferences and auto show debuts. He broke news stories before even some Saab employees knew of their existence. During the last year of Spyker’s ownership of Saab he was hired to run their corporate insider website right through to the bankruptcy in late 2011. His unique and extremely entertaining viewpoints from what he witnessed over his many years covering Saab made for a very entertaining discussion. I know it will be enjoyed by all. The YouTube version is my most media intensive creation to date.

Joining me this week on the Podcast is longtime Saab and Saab contracted employee Bob Allard. Bob started at Saab in 1985 in Orange, Connecticut and stayed on until long after the Norcross, Georgia office was vacated. Bob was involved in the early days of computer equipment and software at Saab including Univac, IBM PS 2s, IBM AS/400 and Lotus Notes 123 just to name a few. He set up countless employee’s desktops and laptops and trained novices and experts in their functionality. He transitioned from Saab to EDS to HP, but was always treated as a Saab team member. His calm demeanor made him perfect for the job. Toward the end we also discuss the WWII career of his late father who served on a light cruiser in the U.S. Navy participating in most of the major campaigns in the Pacific theater. We end with a tearful story I share with Bob about the hope he gave my brother when he was fighting his losing battle with cancer. Please enjoy.

So many memories came flooding back that Vincent and I knew we had to record a Bonus episode! Join us as we chat about Vincent’s many good times at Saab both professionally and personally. Vincent shares more photos of the good times, talks about the Saab swag he helped create, shares additional memories of the 1992 Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel meeting, the changeover from the Saab-Scania logo to the Saab logo, discusses Scania trucks towing SCUD missiles in Saddam Hussein’s army and the controversy that ensued in the USA and some closing thoughts about his great memories of his time at Saab. Enjoy!

Join me this week on a fascinating journey with my guest Vincent Donroe-Wells. Vincent started as a contracted Account Manager, then came on board with Saab tackling various responsibilities including Merchandising, Auto Shows, Advertising and eventually National Sales Promotion Manager encompassing all previous jobs and adding many new programs and experiences. Vincent was an instrumental part of the now famous Opryland Dealer launch meeting of the 9000 and 900 Convertible and the new 900 launch meeting in Orlando as well as many, many more creative projects. Please enjoy this journey with over 150 photos and 15 videos to enhance the viewing experience. Enjoy!

This week’s guest is the effervescent long time Saab Connecticut employee Valerie Torphy. Valerie regales us with stories from her long extensive career in Sales and Marketing which included working with brochure production, dealer analysis, dealer Saab signage, prospective dealer franchise analysis, dealer meetings scouting, meeting production, used company car auction programs, and coordinating Saab into the GM vehicle employee purchase programs. Valerie was Saab’s first Used Car Manager. She also talks about her great joy working for Saab-Scania USA President Bob Sinclair and VP/President Sten Helling.

Post Saab Valerie has been a driving force behind the semi-annual Saab employee reunions and is already planning the 2027 event. Enjoy!

There are several ex-Saab employees that can truly be referred to as  “legends”. Arsey Miller is one of those people. Join me for an extensive conversation with Arsey as we discuss his years with Saab in jobs ranging from District Parts, Service and Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager, National Product Display and Sales Training Manager. As well as all of these diverse positions Arsey was instrumental in the Saab National Peace Officer Ski Race, training the IDS sales persons in Europe, working with the Scania Bus and Saab Friction Tester at industry shows and much, much more. Enjoy!

This week I renew an old friendship with someone I worked very closely with and learned a lot from starting from my early days at Saab – Angela Leibowicz. Angela started at Saab in Customer Service for the Eastern Region and eventually became the National Consumer Relations Manager. She has many great stories from her years at Saab including applying for a job because she liked the building, developing the vehicle buyback program, the holiday “nuts to you” Bob Sinclair tale, several interesting celebrity encounters and working with a “slacker” like me! Please enjoy.

This week witness my most ambitious multi-media YouTube Podcast yet with guest Walt Lawson. Walt started with Saab in 1982 washing cars at the Saab fleet shop. From there he became a Technician, a Technical Representative and then moved to Training Instructor at the Southern Region Technical Training Center before leaving Saab and moving on to Kia Motors. Our lives crossed twice long before either of us worked for Saab. We start there in our interview. Join me for the interesting journey of Walt Lawson. Enjoy.