(March 4, 2012) American Saab fans can breathe a sigh of relief, now that we know which parties won the bidding for the 10 vehicles of Saab Cars North America’s Heritage collection, which were auctioned on Friday, Feb. 10, in one lot.

According to SaabsUnited, half of the cars went to Bill Jacobson of Sports Car Service in Wilmington, Del., and half went to Tom Donney of Tom Donney Motors in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The two pooled their resources in one winning bid.

Donney purchased the 1952 92, 1956 Sonett Super Sport, 1960 93F GranTurismo 750, 1960 96 RAC rally winner and the 1987 9000 Turbo Talladega record car; while Jacobson purchased the 1967 Sonett II, 1978 99 Turbo, 1986 900 Turbo Convertible prototype, 1990 Saab-Skip Barber Pro Series racer and the 1997 900 SE 2.0 Turbo Talladega record car.

Jacobson said that this wasn’t his first purchase of Saab Heritage Collection vehicles. “I bought five of them when General Motors had its initial sale (in June 2010). Back then, I got their 1964 95 ’bullnose,’ the 1970 99 (restored by GM at a cost of more than $80,000, according to the designated sale representative), 1980 900 Turbo five-door (with a near-$100,000 restoration) and two cut-away cars – the 1993 9000 CS and 1994 900 – as well as the 16-valve 900 Turbo engine display from the 1985 show circuit.”

1970 Saab 99

This impressive group of historic Saabs is the icing on Jacobson's already impressive collection, which numbers about 35 cars and includes the only other (of the six built) Sonett Super Sport in America, the racing-striped #6.

“I keep between 12 and 15 cars on display in my showroom,” he says. “I have been discussing the possibility of doing a Saab exhibit with a few friends this fall or next spring at the Simeone Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.”

Donney also has a great collection of historic Saabs, including a 44-original-mile 1974 Sonett III, a 500-mile 1967 Sonett II and a 14,000-mile 93F. “I love all Saabs,” he said. “I have about 60 now, (among them) 25 nicer vintage ones.” Proving he doesn’t discriminate, he also owns a 29,000-mile 1998 9000 CSE and two 2008 9-7X Aero SUVs, powered by 6.0-liter, 390hp LS2 V-8s. He currently holds the world land speed record in the J/GT class with his two-stroke 1968 Saab Sonett II.

Source: Hemmings Daily Blog