Saab Car Museum — Attraction in Trollhättans kommun

Well, it's easy to see why Saab went out of business.

I've never been to a car museum that had less narrative and less to teach than any generic car dealership, but this is an excellent demonstration of that. Let's begin with the content.

First, there is a minimal timeline high on one wall that basically says Saab was established to make aircraft, and picked up into making cars. If that's the case, one might want an exhibit (and ideally a full-scale model or actual one) on the aircraft. The Viggen, Gripen and Draken are all impressive - in fact, you can see one on the road to Trollhattan from the north! But not here.

So no planes.

Then there's the odd cars. It can't escape one's notice that Saabs are idiosyncratic cars. That's why my idiosyncratic engineer grandfather bought one in Australia in the late seventies. So why are they odd? This is a question that is neither acknowledged, nor explained, but it'd make a good story. Indeed, that'd be why one would likely go to a Saab museum.

There are a few engines around the place with a bit of information about them, but if you're not an engineer, knowing that it's a reciprocating this or an injected that... well, my six and eight year olds didn't get it.

Then there's the evolution of different ideas. Apparently. Nothing to explain any evolution, so I'm assuming.

And let's get on to the main attraction. People like to sit in cars, to drive them, or at least, to engage with them. Nope. You can less sit in any of these cars than in a dealership. No car sitting. No touching. Not even one car.

There are some concept models... but no concept. Nothing explaining what they were trying to show/communicate.

Cars are engineering, and the museum is attached to a science museum. Saab had engineers (one assumes), so surely someone knew how to explain how cars work? Certainly no one associated with the museum who could design something you could... er... learn from?

There is a theater at the back where you can watch a movie about Saab, no one lasted more than about four minutes, and there are no language options, so... well, I gave it a pass. Maybe it addressed everything above, and I missed it.

Now to the space. Um... well, it's a space. A nice parking lot on a ramp for a lot of cars. Not much space to circulate between cars, or to see any other content, but that's ok because there is no other content. Lighting is... bland. That only matters for six months of the year in Sweden. And although it's a newish space, some things don't actually work, the electric car set, which has nothing to do with Saab (except that it's... er... cars?) was falling apart. The space is ramped, but not in a wheelchair-friendly space.

Saab is only twelve years out of business. I hope they will harness the people they had previously to do some real storytelling - it was a fascinating car company, and a more interesting aircraft company doing work which was known around the world - though you wouldn't know it around the museum. Perhaps everyone who goes there already knows all the material. Maybe the whole thing is an aide memoir for those who already know the whole story.

So, if you'd like to look at unexplained shiny objects that are barely different, one from another, this is the...

A "must" visit for the Saab enthusiast - or any car enthusiast. The museum itself is situated in a part of former workshop of the locomotive producer NOHAB and by itself rather small for an official works museum, but manages to present a good overview on Saab car development, showing production cars, succesful and not-so-successful prototyes alike. Short texts in swedish and english explain the exhibits. Audio guides in several languages are also available. There is also a moovie theater, showing films on different parts of Saab's history, such as participation in rally sports.

The exhibtion changes focus every few months, with exhibits rotated in and out of the exhibition hall. This makes even repeated visits very worthwile.

There is also a small shop selling Saab merchandise, ranging from clothing to books, key rings and coffee mugs, but sometimes even original artwork.

Entrance fees are on the higher side for a works museum, but bear in mind that unlike other brands the parent company does no longer exist. The museum is now on it's own and has to rely on entrance fees, donations and a support organisation of former employees and Saab enthusiasts for financing.

Make sure not to overlook the immediate surroundings of the museum: neighbouring are both the "Innovatum" technology museum, the film museum und three arrays of locks circumventing the Trollhättan falls. All these institutions combined give a complete overlook on the industrial development...

Car museum are never less interesting. This one is no exception. All enthusiastic people will love to visit this Saab Car Museum. Engines and cars are put on display. Starting from two stroke car engines until the most modern ePower are present. Most cars have "do not touch" notice, but all worth. Some NEVS cars are also on the stand. Rally cars, cars with cross sections showing internal construction, cross section of engines to name a few. You can find Saab cars with all the generations of logos from the older aircraft logo until the newest SAAB in black. The Saab Turbo Club of Sweden conducts annual meetings here. There is a souvenir shop as usual. A film on SAAB history will be shown on all days that do not have the film room occupied by...