Cars in a small town play a remarkable role in the character of a community. The older they are, the more people can remember the first owner, and the second, and perhaps a third. They park on our streets as mobile reminders of friends and moments of past adventures, political campaigns, sports teams and other symbols of our local culture, and like the county itself, age with a particular grace.
With Chestertown RiverArts taking a few weeks off this summer with their wonderful Humans of Kent County, the Spy thought it would be fun to document some of the more famous or infamous cars of our community. To disclose the identity of the car owners would make it too easy for our readers. Take a guess and leave a comment below. And submit your own photos of the cars of Kent County with your own stories.
Saab 900 (1978 to 1993)
This Saab 900 has been to more concerts, poetry readings, community theater productions, and musical performances than any living person in Kent County with the exception of its owner. While the Saab has been retired from service for the last few years, it remained for years the ultimate insider clue that a great cultural event was taking place nearby.
Lawrence Schroth says
My guess is that this is Leslie Raimond’s Saab 900.
Saab was first and foremost a Swedish aircraft manufacturer; aerodynamic principals were employed in the design of Saab automobiles. Saabs were great snow cars and achieved many awards in the sport of rallying. Structurally, Saab’s were very safe cars. Also, Saab was one of the first companies to employ turbocharging to get exceptional power and acceleration from a small displacement engine. These cars were great fun to drive.
Unfortunately, Saab’s automobile division was bought out by General Motors, which ran the company into the ground through cost cutting measures and dumbing down the product.
jenifer endicott emley says
Sniff sniff …. or should I write, “sob?” 🙁
Right you are, Larry. Saabs are very fun to drive, and everyone always knew the coolest place to be when we saw this Swedish beauty.
(I was in Maine recently and there are still plenty on the roads there … jealous.)
marti hawkins says
i drove Saabs for many years, it was my adored vehicle of choice. My first one was cream colored and was named Sophie. My son got to drive it when it was brand new to his senior prom. ah, those were the days.