Treasure trove of extremely rare discontinued cars uncovered 14 years after major brand went into bankruptcy
MORE than 10 years after a major brand went bust, a treasure trove of rare cars has been uncovered.
Around 120 cars were scheduled to be auctioned off but a multi-million investment meant the vehicles remained under one roof.
The Saab Car Museum in Sweden is home to hidden treasures and gems including the oldest 900 left.
A Corvette-powered SUV sits amongst the 70 vehicles on display.
In 2011, the Swedish Enforcement Authority seized an entire collection of vehicles, planning to auction them off one-by-one to pay Saab’s creditors.
But when the Wallenberg Memorial Trust and defence company Saab AB invested millions, the museum was saved.
A selection of the automotive industry’s cars from 1947 to present day now all sit in the exhibition.
Amongst the list on offer are latest models, concept cars and rally history.
Even Swedish police force cars are on display.
The museum parks Saab classics both inside and outside the building on certain days.
For instance, a well-kept Saab 99 from 1980 graced the visitor’s parking lot earlier this year.
The museum celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025.
As such, there are a number of exciting and exclusive events on offer.
These include a photo exhibition, classic car weekend and a night at the museum.
Saab enthusiasts should not be surprised if there are other surprise celebrations too.
A highlight for many visitors seems to be the Saab Car Museum Festival with last year totalling the highest number of fans to walk through the doors than ever before.
Posting on Instagram to mark the occasion, a spokesperson for the Saab Car Museum wrote: “In 2025 the Saab Car Museum will turn 50, and we hope that you will follow us through the year as we will both celebrate the museum and pay attention to interesting Saab stories that keeps reminding us of how special our car community is.
“The Saab spirit is alive and well today, which we clearly notice at the museum. Visitor numbers are rising year after year and foreign visitors dominate our well-attended summer seasons.
“Where Saab has sold its cars in the world, we see the love for Saab. To this we must add the support that the museum has from the Saab Car Museum Support Organization and the various Saab clubs around the world.
“A Saab feels best when it’s driven. Saab is the driver’s car. If you have the chance, please visit us with your own Saab during our anniversary year 2025!”
It follows Bernie Ecclestone, 94, revealing the reason behind selling his £500million car collection.
The F1 supremo sold his 69-car garage that “embodies 70 years of history”.
Red Bull owner Mark Mateschitz has purchased the collection for an undisclosed figure.
Ferraris driven by legends Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda were on offer, as well as the iconic Brabham BT46B that was banned for being too fast.
Ecclestone, 94, said the reason behind the sale was to take stress away from his wife Fabiana, 47, and son Ace, 4, when he dies.
Inside UK’s first classic car museum hidden inside PIZZA restaurant… featuring stunning collection & slice of F1 history
By Jacob Jaffa
PETROLHEADS and pizza lovers aren’t necessarily the most natural bedfellows – but a unique classic car museum is hoping to change that.
The amazing showroom houses a collection of some of the most iconic, and expensive cars, of all time – and everything you see is for sale.
Hexham Classics in East Finchley, North London, is tucked away on the suburban high street just a stone’s throw from the Tube station.
You might well walk past it with little more than a passing glance at the row of Porche 911s parked outside.
But step inside and you’ll discover a petrolhead paradise, packed to the gills with vintage cars that are as rare as they are beautiful.
The showroom is run by Paul Michaels, who set up the business as an outlet for his love for Jaguar E-Types back in 1963.
Paul has a fascinating history and is one of the most silently significant men in British motoring history.
He is responsible for saving and maintaining hundreds of valued classics over the years, including his own beloved (and completely original) Mk I E-Type.
And, under his stewardship, Hexagon even competed in Formula 1 as Goldie Hexagon Racing in 1974.
A sixth-place finish in Monaco and top-five placings in the Austrian and USA Grand Prix saw the outfit emerge as perhaps the most successful privateer team in the championship’s professional history.
Speaking to SunMotors, he said: “The first word I ever said when I was born was ‘car’, so I knew where I was going.
“This is sales of upmarket cars, particularly sports cars.
“We sell cars you want to drive.”
The showroom originally operated as a franchise for BMW until the firm decided to withdraw the licence in 2014.
Since then, Hexagon has been set up as a shrine to performance motoring across the decades.
Highlights currently on the showroom floor include Paul’s E-Type, a 1959 Lancia Flaminia and a BMW M3 worth over £300,000.
However, there’s another unusual resident at the dealership – a full-blown pizzeria run by Paul’s son-in-law Cam Mitchell.
Specialising in crispy, New York-style pizza, 67 Sourdough was established after Hexagon took over the site of a restaurant next door after the pandemic.
Rather than converting it into more showroom space, the family decided to make use of the pizza oven that was already installed to add a unique twist to the showroom.
Cam told The Sun: “I think I can make a lot of people happy by making pizza…and making this whole space much more welcoming and community-focussed.
“Obviously there are a lot of expensive classic cars here, not everyone is in the market for buying a classic car.
“But everyone can appreciate them.
“Pizza and cars just seem to go together.”
Guests can pick up a delicious pizza made to order and enjoy it in the dining room, which features floor-to-ceiling windows so diners can look out on the rows of cars as they eat.
Orders for collection are also available and the restaurant runs a stall at the local farmers’ market just outside Hexagon every Sunday.
Cam even hinted that they might be getting on Deliveroo soon.
Just remember to keep any post-pizza greasy fingers away from the ultra-expensive motors.