Mitchell Swedish Beauty Contest 2025

I attended Mitchell Auto Group's annual Swedish Car Show in Simsbury, Connecticut. Mitchell Auto Group currently specializes in Volvos, but they were once a licensed Saab dealer prior to the company's demise. Despite no longer selling Saab cars, they still have a foot in keeping the brand alive, being the owners and operators of the Saab Parts Counter website, which provides OEM and NOS Saab parts for newer Saab vehicles.

It was a beautiful day for a car show, so I was able to get some nice shots of some of the attendees. Here are some of the classic Saabs that attended.

Some of the Saabs in attendance. A good mix of generations: old and new.

My 1978 99 EMS and Jake Tilton's 1984 900 Turbo

A good showing of some Incas and "flatnose" Saabs. Jake's '84 won best Saab in show... and for good reason. 

Below are some photos of the 900's well accessorized interior. Note the Sport and Rally steering, a must have for any 99 or 900. The seat covers on the front seats are another rare catalog accessory. 

Jake enjoys a seat in the 99 EMS!

1972 Sonett III

The only Sonett at the show. This '72 Sonett has been fully restored, and repainted in Sunset Orange, or Sonett Orange, as it was officially marketed as. 

1962 Saab Quantum III 

Only three of these were made, and here's one of them!

1990 900 Turbo SPG

A very, very well preserved model, with a color matching valve cover in Talladega Red. What a gorgeous color!

1988 900 Turbo 

This car includes an airflow kit, and some unusual louvres I've never seen before on a 900. They aren't the typical shadow louvres on most cars, but they feature the same thin metal design. There's a Saab badge noted on the bottom-most louvre, so they might be a rare dealer accessory. 

1998 900 Turbo

A very intriguing "NG" 900: This car rides on the Gary Fisher edition 9-5 rims, and has been wrapped in an uncommon copper color, making for a one of a kind car, that honestly, does not get the spotlight as much as it should. 

Minty "NG" 900 

I don't think I've seen an example this nice before. This is nearing showroom quality!

A very well preserved "OG" 9-3

Another nice example of a late '90s - early '00s Saab, this time a 9-3.

Kyle's 2008 9-3 Combi

A stunning car in fusion blue, on Alfa Romeo rims.

A husky joins in on some fun!

Matt's NEVS 9-3 Clone

Here's a car worth keeping an eye on, as it might be the closest thing we'll ever have to the NEVS 9-3, which followed in the wake of Saab's demise in 2012. What started as a base model 9-3 sedan, has transformed into a clone of the NEVS 9-3, which was produced in 2014 and again from 2017 to 2022 as an EV based on the 9-3 design. It was the only glimpse into what Saab could've been if the brand was not killed off by GM in 2012.