A gorgeous story of a lifelong love for Saab. I read this recently over on Saab Planet and felt like it should be shared further, originally published by Aftenposten.
Ola Isungset from Norway is 100 years of age and still drives a tuned Saab Turbo, in fact he's just got his certificate to drive it for another three years.
One hundred years, it's just a number. But it is perhaps a slightly special number. Not everyone has been as lucky and got to be as healthy as me, says Ola Isungset.
Whilst we drive along, Ola quickly flashes out on RV.7 and gives the car a little more acceleration; the turbo whistles under the hood. With full concentration and both hands on the wheel, he steers his old Saab 9000 towards the centre of Geilo. The car will soon be a veteran says Ola, I have been one for a long time.
In February 2023, Ola Isungset turned 100 years old. It's been 76 years since he passed his driving test, and more than 60 years since he bought his first Saab. I have always been interested in cars. I have driven other cars, but it is Saab that has been closest to my heart, I've had almost all the Saab models, says Isungset with a smile that never seems to leave his face.
We continue to drive and the green Saab cuts through a grey Norwegian afternoon. The 9000 was Saab's executive car, an expensive and stately model that many believe was the last "real" Saab. Isungset makes it clear that his 1997 vintage is the Anniversary model; a well-equipped car with both turbo and leather seats and a sunroof, which celebrates 50 years since the aircraft factory showed off its first car, the so-called Ursaaben.
After passing his driving test, it took time before Ola and his wife Norunn got their own car, partly because the rationing of cars did not end until 1960. But in 1962 the couple visited their local Triumph dealer. We had received a brochure for a Triumph Herald, so went and had a test drive. When we returned, the car salesman asked if they wanted to try the two-stroke Saab, which they also sold. Ola's wife sat in the back and quickly said that this is the one we should have. So it was my wife who decided that we should have a Saab.
The two-stroke was the start of a long series of Saabs. In 1970 they bought a new 96; one with a V4 engine. Later on they purchased a 99 a 900 and finally, today's 9000, which Isungset bought from his Saab mechanic. For several decades he has used the same mechanic, a younger fellow who has not yet turned 80 years old. We still meet a couple of times a week, in the cultural church in Geilo. There we drink coffee and watch Saab reports on his PC. There is so much you come across on Facebook and Instagram. I myself have neither a PC nor internet.
When Ola bought the 9000 back in 2001, it was only 4 years old. It had driven 40,000 kilometres; barely run in. Now it has just completed 359,000 kilometres. I have been very happy with the car, one of my passengers even said it was like sitting in a limousine, he says.
The green colour is a rag colour he says, the dirt shows so easily that it must be washed vigorously. I appreciate the safety, and that it is very good to drive, it is also incredibly fast.
Under the bonnet sings a two-litre petrol engine, originally with 150 horsepower; the best engine Saab has made, laughs the 100-year-old. The engine was tuned when the car was new, and the power is nice to have when overtaking. But I drive carefully, that is! I use cruise control a lot and have never received a speeding ticket.
Apart from wearing parts, there has been no nonsense with the car in the 22 years. I didn't change the rear brake discs until after 350,000 kilometres. New cars have lousy metal in the brake discs, they often have to be replaced after 20,000 kilometres.
When asked what the Saab means to him, Ola says; more now than before. I live three kilometers from the city centre, and without a car I would have problems. I live alone, take care of myself and don't need any help from the municipality. With the car, I can go out when I want, shop for food and do what I want.
I lost Norunn twelve years ago. When I became alone, I found that I had to get out among people. That counts for a lot at my age.
This will be the last car I have, if I'm not unlucky and drive the car in to a wreck. I'm too old for new cars. I can't imagine getting started on these new electric ones. And these screens in new cars, they disturb the driver.
Every day Ola goes out driving; Summer and Winter. At the weekends I take slightly longer trips of 10-15 miles, to keep my driving skills the same. It is important. But in recent years I have not driven more than 10,000-12,000 kilometers a year.
I have taken senile tests every year since 1995 and had to have my driving license renewed every year. But last November, I got the certificate for three years, says the world's presumably oldest Saab driver.
