MILWAUKEE — As a traveling salesman, Peter Gilbert has put a few miles on his car — 1,001,385 miles, to be precise.
It took the Glendale, Wisc, man 17 years to cross the million mile mark with his 1989 Saab 900 SPG. He recently donated the durable vehicle to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum after Saab verified the mileage.
The transmission was rebuilt at 200,000 miles and the hood and a few other parts replaced after eight deer collisions, but otherwise it has original equipment.
Gilbert bought the Saab for $29,000. It was his treat after a divorce, and he took meticulous care of it. He used premium, synthetic oil in oil changes, changed the tires every 45,000 miles and strictly followed the maintenance schedule.
He drove the car seven days a week, racking up the miles as his work took him
through rural Wisconsin.
"When I hit 600,000 miles, the car still wasn't burning oil," Gilbert
said. "That's when I thought it could go a million miles."
But Wisconsin's harsh winters took a toll on the car. Its sporty exterior still looks good, but road salt has rusted its frame. Gilbert realized it might no longer be safe if he hit another deer or had a serious accident.
"There was no point in driving the car any longer," he said. "Even though it might have gone another million miles."
He had it detailed and parked it at the Hartford museum, which houses a number of rare vehicles.
Then Gilbert bought another Saab with fewer miles.
© 2006 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved.
Million Mile Saab Owner Gets his New Saab - For Free
Milwaukee - March 2, 2007
Saab Automobile USA recently announced that it is offering a free new Saab to any U.S. customer who covers the distance of one million miles (or more) in a Saab that he or she originally purchased new. First to seize the opportunity was Wisconsin resident and insurance salesman Peter Gilbert, who completed his million miles in a 1989 Edwardian Gray Saab 900 SPG at last year's Saab Owner's Convention in Lake George, New York.
Mr. Gilbert received the keys to his free new Saab, a Titan Gray 260 hp 9-5 Aero SportCombi (MSRP $38,735) from Saab Automobile USA General Manager Jay Spenchian. The event took place at a media reception at Saab dealer Concours in Milwaukee, close to Mr. Gilbert's residence.
"Saabs are made for people who love to drive, as proven by the many high-mileage examples in the Saab owners' community", Spenchian said. "Having personally been with Peter Gilbert in his 900 SPG as we crossed their magical finish line together, one cannot help but being impressed by the condition of car and driver after one million miles. Our offer of a new Saab to any U.S. customer who equals this achievement, should be seen as a token of appreciation for the enduring loyalty and confidence in Saab."
The new Saab comes with the 100,000 mile/5 years GM Powertrain limited warranty and 3 years/36,000 miles no-charge scheduled maintenance, standard with every model in the 2007 Saab Automobile USA portfolio.
"I am obviously on cloud nine with my new Saab 9-5 Aero SportCombi", Gilbert said. "It is not just fast and fuel efficient, but also extremely safe. A reassuring thought, keeping in mind that my faithful 900 SPG and I survived many a collision with Wisconsin deer. Who knows, I might take a run at another million miles in my new Saab 9-5!"
The offer of a free, new 2007 Saab 9-5 Aero [not to exceed an Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of $38,735 (certain features and options are subject to availability at time of delivery) and delivery to take place at an authorized Saab USA dealer] valid from the date of this release through calendar year 2007 (offer ends Dec. 31, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time), is available to any U.S. customer who can present verifiable proof to Saab Automobile USA that he or she is the original owner of the Saab vehicle that covered one million road miles or more, that the vehicle is in running condition, that the odometer hasn't been tampered with, and that the vehicle is currently and has always been registered in the United States. The customer is responsible for all applicable taxes, title fees, registration and destination charges. Visit www.saabusa.com for important details and limitations on this offer.
Saab is a division of General Motors
Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of Saab 9-3, 9-5
and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2007 model year,
Saab markets seven car variants that have an estimated EPA-rated 30 mpg on the
highway.