Saab Owner Drives Home 1,200 Miles During Volcanic Ash Flight Ban

Unlike thousands of people that were left stranded in European airports due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, one British IT consultant found a way to get home to his wife who was close to giving birth. Martyn Hobbs decided he would make the journey from Sweden to the UK... by car.

Hobbs surfed the Swedish version of eBay where he successfully bid 10,000 Swedish Kronor (£900) for a 1988 Saab 9000.

“When I decided I’d be driving 1200 miles across four countries, safety and reliability were obviously key concerns for me but, having previously driven a Saab, I knew that I had made a sound investment,” said Hobbs. “This was confirmed when I took it for a test drive and, even though it was over 20 years old, the heated seats were still working!”

Helga, as Hobbs nicknamed the Saab, was fully taxed with a valid MOT and had been serviced in December.

“I even managed to use the cruise control for a few hours while I was driving along the motorway in Denmark which was a huge help,” added Hobbs.

Next up for Helga is a return trip to Sweden after Hobbs decided that the Saab 9000 would be the perfect first car for one his Swedish colleague’s 18-year old son.

“But that won’t be the end of my relationship with Saab. Given my recent experience I’m sure our paths will cross again in the future. I’d love to get back behind the wheel of a Saab and I think I’ll have to organise a test drive just to see how the latest models compare to Helga,” added Hobbs.