Happy Saabing, Jan-Willem Vester
- Former Saab rep. Jan-Willem Vester has died
- Mr. Vester was a true gentleman and tremendous representation for GM
- Owned Saab 900 Convertible and Porsche 911
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG Kevin Kusina for ADLX
JAN-WILLEM, or “Jay-Dubya” as his one time boss at SaabUSA called him, was a true car guy and an even truer gentleman.
Before joining GM’s press relations team for Saab, the gentle Dutchman wrote for European car mags and in his own garage: a mint, 80′s fresh 900 Convertible and a 993 gen. 911 Porsche.
What made Mr. Vester so effective was his character: devoid of any attitude, soft spoken, and clever in finding common ground.
For instance: recognizing that eventhough I owned a Saab convertible myself, my strongest interest centered on Mercedes-Benz, he regaled me one evening with a review he once conducted on the W140 gen. 600SEL.
With few exceptions, he was one of the finest car company representatives I’ve met. According to SaabsUnited, the auto industry is emptier today with news of his death.
One of Jan-Willem’s common sign-offs was “Happy Saabing”.
Happy Saabing, Jan-Willem.
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
Swade | Dec 7, 2009 | Reply
It’s just unbelievable that such a fit, young man could be overcome so quickly. It’s such a significant loss on every level.
The man was a rarity.
Gunnar | Dec 7, 2009 | Reply
All quite true.
eggsngrits | Dec 11, 2009 | Reply
Very difficult to understand why some are stricken and others remain healthy. JWV was a good man and well-suited to his task. As Swade says, it’s a loss.