An abandoned Saab Military Sales in Germany

Saab Military Sales bases were once found in every major garrison town. The Americans loved Saab and did not want to do without it abroad, either. Sometimes the military sales were part of a regular Saab dealer, but there were also sales facilities that were only reserved for the military. Germans had no business there, and one of these military bases survived. I'm on my way there, but first I have to go to the monastery! To visit a friend!

Würzburg in December 2021. A cloudy, rainy day. Shortly before Christmas I'm on my way to visit a dear friend. We have known each other, as we found out recently, for over 40 years. We have never lost sight of each other, even though we have quite different life plans. He lives his life in the monastery and when I'm around I knock on the gate.

My car is loaded with what can be counted as worldly temptations. Pretty much the most awesome treats of ours Pastry shop, the same in multiple versions. Because my friend's convention should also get something. The baked goods - actually true works of art - with tempting sugar decoration is visually and tastefully highly dangerous and close to what lurks in Swedish cafes for the visitor.

In the immediate vicinity of the monastery, Germany once ended and the military area of ​​the United States of North America began. A serious matter, but history. The US institutions became apartments and flats for students and higher earners.

Where tanks, Hummers and Dodge RAMs used to be parked, there are now SUVs of a similar size. A kind of lived continuity. The location is in great demand because the view over Würzburg is simply fantastic.

And here, just a few 100 meters from the monastery gate, a Saab Military Sales is said to have survived in its original condition.

Promise me Google.

Released from the monastery, my path continues up the mountain. The road marks the former border, with the USA on the left and Germany on the right. And indeed, Google keeps its word. After a few minutes I discover the Saab Scania sign.

Saab Military Sales is practicing depression

At first glance, the site appears to be a time capsule. On the second it shows clear signs of decline, and on the third it is clearly depressing. Well, one always hopes for a showroom where a US 900 SPG has been waiting for the GI who ordered it for 30 years. But then, surprisingly, he had to go somewhere because Uncle Sam wanted to restore order around the world.

And the GI forgot his Saab at best.

So, preferably a 900 Turbo, black on the outside, red luxury velor on the inside, with black mirrored windows all around, which would have made any TÜV inspector run away. Of course with the obligatory mosquito net over the headlights and the stone chip protection on the hood. Friends of classic Saab in their original condition now have palpitations and a high pulse at the latest. Sorry! But such were the times.

The reality is different

The site is deserted. Cars parked in the yard are not from Saab, but despite valid approval they have grown moss. In the small showroom is a Benz, obviously a US model. Everything seems lonely, unkempt. The neighbor, who could be of Pakistani origin, is nice, but can't help either. There is a note on the door and a phone number, but no one answers. A quick internet search turns up a company that specializes in military personnel.

Recent social media activity is one year old.

So the door to the Saab Military Sales will remain closed to me today.

A walk across the site bears witness to the absurdities of that time. The bonded warehouse sign was a requirement, the Swedish Saabs were imported into Germany duty unpaid and kept in the dealer's bonded warehouse until they were sold to the USA. Which was across the street.

Parking them anywhere else would have been tax evasion and not something to be trifled with. Because only the marked fence represented the duty-free area.

I look around the site. In the showroom, I spot Saab posters, pennants and a certificate behind the desk where the salesman once waited for the GIs across the street in front of a map of the USA. The iMac on the desk is more than a decade old, and there are model cars in a display case that are clearly not Saab.

A sign confirms that they are now open. it lies Another advertises an American car insurance company. Another Saab sign in the entrance area, a few pictures. The facade is crumbling, the Saab Scania signs bravely defy decay, the Saab lettering is less steadfast. They peel off, fade away.

And they just disappear

The decaying house seems to be rented out in parts, even if I don't want to imagine the condition of the apartments. I try anyway. I'm brave, press the bell buttons, but I can't get any further here either. Presumably the right part of the building was once used as Saab Military Sales, the middle one served as an insurance office and on the left was another small office. Maybe a credit broker or another car salesman, with small, colorful flags stretched across the yard.

The head cinema takes me back to the time when the world seemed simple. Here the Americans, there the Soviets. The FRG as the front line. No question who (for me) were the good guys.

I'll quickly shoot a video of the ensemble. Perhaps the last German Saab Military Sales base is an artifact. A testimony that survived the withdrawal of the American garrison and the end of Saab. You can never be sure that the excavators won't roll up and everything will disappear soon.

I'll be back by spring at the latest. In the monastery, a few hundred meters away. And then certainly taking a look at the Saab legacies. And you never know, maybe I'll be able to take a look inside the rooms. We will see.