Unfortunately, I didn’t get too many good pictures from this evening – small space and poor lighting. But, I think I got enough to document the process. Installed a Rough Country 4.25″ lift kit on Tyler’s new JK. James also took some time to install extended bump stops on his TJ so he could disconnect without rubbing his boggers on the tub / fenders.

Started out in Bedford and took the “new trail” out to Sackville. The new trail is pretty sweet, different sort of terrain with a mix of water crossings, rock gardens, off camber, etc. We learned that it is not stock friendly… more stock draggable (see pics of the Liberty).

Large group ran The Range last Sunday; this was Tyler’s first time out in his brand new Jeep JK! He drove great and really enjoyed himself. Guess which rig was the new one

The first batch of pictures from the Hummer Offroad Event at Sunday River in Bethel, Maine. I have another 500 or so photos to sort through so expect another batch to be uploaded. I’ll post an update when they’re up.

Better late then never, right? June 3, 2010 several supercars and exotics showed up in Halifax to start their rally to Montreal, Quebec to watch the Formula 1 race. It has taken me awhile to get around to it, but here are the photos! Enjoy.

There’s not much more to say than that; Saab lives on! It was officially announced today that Spyker cars was successful in their bid to purchase the company. I look forward to the future and the new models that will be introduced under the new management.

Now, if they can only sort out the Canadian distribution network…

GM will now begin what they are calling “an orderly wind-down of Saab operations”, the meaning of which is not entirely clear to anyone. GM is assuring customers that their Saab will still be serviced and the warranties will still be honored although they are yet to tell anyone where/how to get the service done.

I received a letter from GM a couple weeks ago which was dated Nov 14 informing me that as of October 31, my local Saab dealership is no longer an authorized Saab dealer/service center. Nice of them to be on time with things… letter was dated two weeks after my local dealership was closed and I didn’t even receive the letter till the first week of December. I’m a bit bitter about this whole Saab thing.

Ultimately, it is a sad day for the automotive industry as a whole, Saab were innovators and the industry, let alone current car models, owe a lot of their successes to Saab’s innovations. A quick Wikipedia read reveals the following innovations from Saab:

• 1958: The GT 750 is the first car fitted with seatbelts as standard.
• 1963: Saab becomes the first volume maker to offer diagonally-split dual brake circuits.
• 1970: Saab introduces a world-first – headlamp wipers and washers.
• 1971: Heated front seats are introduced, the first time in the world they are fitted as standard.
• 1971: Saab develops the impact-absorbing, self-repairing bumper.
• 1976: Saab was the first manufacturer to produce a turbo engine with wastegate to control boost.
• 1978: Saab introduces another ‘world-first,’ the passenger compartment air filter (pollen filter).
• 1980: Saab introduces Automatic Performance Control (APC), and an anti-knock sensor that allowed higher fuel economy and the use of lower grade fuel without engine damage.
• 1985: Saab pioneers direct ignition, eliminating the distributor and spark plug wires.
• 1991: Saab is the first manufacturer to offer CFC-free air-conditioning.
• 1996: Saab introduces active head restraints (SAHR), which help minimize the risk of whiplash.
• 1997: Saab introduces Electronic Brake-force Distribution

… and the list goes on. How many modern cars use and profit from these innovations? A sad day indeed.

R.I.P. Saab Automobile AB

I sincerely hope that someone with the right intentions, proper financial backing, and sustainable plan picks up this brand in the future and returns it to its former glory. I will buy another Saab in a heartbeat, as quirky as my Saab is I love every little thing about it.