Tom Donney's 92 Saga

Bullnose, 95/96, 97, Saab Life, Q&A

E-Mail me at: [email protected]

Excepted from Volume 2 Issue 12 of Tom Donney Motors -- Saab Village Saga

By now I am sure most of you are aware of the untimely passing of Larry "Stroker" Williams of Waterloo, Iowa. He was a fixture at SAAB gatherings anywhere in the country. He always drove an old SAAB two-stroke, usually "Sadie", his red and white 1962 SAAB 96, with Katha, his wife, along. Because of the love and respect everyone involved with SAABs felt for Larry, it was decided by the powers-that-be at SAAB USA, and the many SAAB clubs across the country, that an annual Memorial Award be given at future SAAB National Conventions to the person who best embodied what Larry stood for. I think it is safe to say everyone who knew Larry thought this was a great idea, including Katha, Larry's widow.

I, too, thought the award was a great idea and started thinking of who would be the first to win it at the Convention in August of 1998, in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Because of my commitment as a volunteer with the local high school's football program, it was going to be too difficult to take the much needed time to consider driving there myself. Besides, everyone knows I don't drive my SAABs to conventions. I usually trailer special ones or have the whole family in tow, so that rules out actually driving old SAABs! I know it bothered Larry to see an old SAAB on a trailer. He always said, "Drive 'em, boys!"

I do remember, however, a time back in the early nineties when Larry was planning to drive Sadie, the SAAB (42 horse power) to Kenosha, Wisconsin ,for the National Convention with, of all things, (and, that's besides a spare engine in the trunk!) Larry's 1950 SAAB 92 on a tow bar behind him!! I remember talking to him about the trip. He asked me if I thought Sadie had enough power for the trip. Having driven that route many times myself (about a 41/2 hour drive in a normal car), I said, "Power, Hell! What about the brakes?!" No old car is known for its great brakes, especially Sadie, plus, this route had plenty of hills to contend with!! None-the-less, Larry would not abandon his plans to make the trip.

Larry drove for about 2 hours, which got him to the Iowa/Wisconsin border (mostly all flat) before he aborted the idea, and let Bud Clark, who had come across Larry while driving in from California in his 9000, take over the towing of the recently restored 92. My route home was the same as Larry's so I was allowed to tow the 92 home from Kenosha to Larry's house with my Chevy pick-up once the convention was over.

I can still see Larry squealing the tires and having the time of his life showing off his prize 92! I remember Katha yelling at Larry when she discovered her kitchen squeegee, which had been missing for a week, showed up on the 92, modified to fit as the lone windshield wiper! This was one of Larry's trademark---to use only one wiper!

Anyway, thoughts of Larry kept dancing through my head as the time of the National Convention grew closer. About a month before the convention, I placed a call to Eric Johnson of Northfield, Minnesota, one of Larry's "good SAAB buddies" to see if he or anyone else would be driving one of Larry's cars to the convention. To my surprise, Eric informed me that he knew of no one who would be driving out. He reminded me that he had just returned from a long trip to New Zealand, and with school so close (he is a teacher) the trip for him would be nearly impossible. I was troubled by the fact none of Larry's cars would be at the National Convention. It just didn't seem right that a guy was to be honored by his peers for his achievements in keeping old SAABs running, yet none of his cars would be able to make the trip! The more I thought about this, the more I felt like something had to be done.

About two weeks before the convention I decided to start spreading the word around that I might actually try to make the trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina, with one of Larry's old cars, the 1950 model 92, which is the oldest SAAB known of in the USA, and maybe the fourth or fifth oldest left in the world! Consciously, I knew I did not have time for the trip, let alone the ability to make the trip driving the oldest SAAB in the US, but subconsciously, I felt it could be done. I knew I would able to squeeze some time out of football thanks to the goodworking relationship I have with the head football coach, Sam Moser.

I also knew I could drive the old 92 car providing I could fix it when it broke down. I knew not breaking down was NOT going to happen! Keep in mind that the 92 SAAB had never been imported into the States! SAAB did not make an appearance in the US until 1956! And there are no...and I mean NO...spare parts in the US for a 92. The engine doesn't even have a water pump, but rather is what is called a thermo-siphon system in which hot water naturally flows up and cold flows down to cool the engine! And I was thinking of driving this antique to South Carolina in the heat of August??? (Call the guys in the white jackets!!) But, I knew spreading the word around would be like being "hung by the tongue". Once the idea was started it would be impossible for me to back out! I guess I wanted to trick myself into doing it.

On Friday night, August 14th, four days before I would leave for Hilton Head, I received a call from Eric Johnson saying he had heard rumors of my plans to drive to Hilton Head and were they true?

So with that I will leave you hanging!! The story continues next month, so until then.......thanks again for being part of my SAAB Story!

To read on in this Saab Saga vist Tom's news letter archives : SAAB VILLAGE SAGA;INDEX OF NEWS

Bullnose, 95/96, 97, Saab Life, Q&A

E-Mail me at: [email protected]