My name is Gary Piland and Tom's wife, Jeanne, has asked me to help her to sell his Saabs, Saab parts cars and Saab parts collection. I'm doing this pro bono - all proceeds go to his wife.
Serious bidders only please!
Click here to bid on any of the items below.
If you're looking for affordable car transport, I've used this guy and he's solid:
Randy Bond • (408) 842-5341 •
As an introduction, Tom Shipman was one of the most incredible people I've ever had the honor to meet. He was my good friend for over 20 years and we worked together shoulder-to-shoulder doing a lot of restoring and rebuilding our Saabs—usually mine since Tom's were basically already perfect. We had lunch almost every Friday at a one or another Chinese restaurant (he taught English in China when he was younger) and we called ourselves "The World's Smallest Saab Club".
Tom Shipman with his pristine 1969 Saab 96 V4 Deluxe c2021
Ask anyone who knew him—Tom was an absolute perfectionist and he had the skills, dedication and immense mechanical knowledge to back it up. Everything he did was top notch. He once said, "To do good work takes knowledge, skill and you have to give a damn." He also said, "Judge a man by how he treats those at his mercy." Words to live by.
NOTE: Mechanically, these vehicles were restored and maintained by an expert builder, fabricator and restorer, but 2 of his cars sustained some cosmetic damage in the last year of his life when his health limited his ability to fix them. Rest assured, however, that the underlying mechanics are solid. That said, there are no warranties of any kind given or implied on any of these items. Caveat emptor. All items will need to be picked up here in Topeka, Kansas.
If you have questions, need additional information or think this page could use additional explanation, please email
-Gary Piland, September 17, 2025
Items for Sale
Important: A separate bid must be submitted for each item you are interested in purchasing. If the reserve is not met on the ’69 96, ’93 900, or ’74 Sonett, we will move forward with listing those particular cars on online platforms. Our strong preference, however, is to see these wonderful Saabs go to true Saab enthusiasts (you know who you are!)
At the close of bidding (October 10, 2025), we will notify the successful bidders. A 10% deposit will be required to hold items with full payment due at pickup. Once bidding is complete, we will also notify all bidders of the final selling prices.
Serious bidders only please!
Click here to bid on any of the items below.
If you're looking for affordable car transport, I've used this guy and he's solid:
Randy Bond • (408) 842-5341 •
[Click on the images below for a closer look.]
1969 Saab V4 Deluxe
Tom's beautiful '69 96 had many of Jack Lawrence's recommended performance upgrades - bigger valves, MSS exhaust, Weber 32/36 carb, etc. He balanced the engine, hand ported and polished the heads, and rebuilt the transmission himself. This car dynoed at a true 95hp at the wheels. To my knowledge it is rust-free and never driven in the rain all the years Tom had it.
Unfortunately, shortly before Tom passed, the car suffered some paint damage on the hood and driver's side and the front bumper was dented. This car has air conditioning installed but never fully implemented.
NOTE: I only drove this car once and it drives and handles like a new 96, only a lot more power.
1974 Saab Sonett III with Subaru 2.5L Turbo & 5-speed Transmission
Tom's legendary '74 Sonett IV (his little joke) is well known in the Saab community. It has to be seen to be appreciated. Meticulously restored, then brilliantly modified to install a 300+ hp 2.5L Subaru turbo and 5-speed, this car is an absolute rocket. I rode back from Endless Mountains Saab Jamboree in 2023 towing Tom's iconic teardrop trailer. He passed literally everything on the road. It is a truly amazing car.
Tom had been doing some tweaking on the engine tuning when it backed into a tree stump doing some damage to the driver's side rear. Tom was repairing this just weeks before he passed. Sale includes an excellent condition left rear taillight (thanks, Eric in Vermont!) and the rear glass has already been replaced (thanks, Chuck Christ!)
1993 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible
Tom rebuilt the engine, repainted and tuned this 900 to perfection. The paint is very nice and has a rip-free leather interior. The top has some minor stains, but probably just needs a good cleaning. Tom said it doesn't leak, but I don't believe he ever drove it in the rain. It handles and drives like a new car. The last time Tom drove this to lunch, a month or so ago, he said he didn't think it was charging right and might need the alternator checked. I gave him a jump with my 96 and he drove it home. Just fyi.
Take a closer look at the SAAB emblem on the trunk for an homage to Saab rally legend, Eric "On the Roof" Carlson. (For all you Saab historians out there.)
Tom's Parts Cars - 2 x 96s, 2 x Sonetts & 1 x 900 Convertible w/engine
This is a mixed bag of post-1968 96s, Sonett IIIs and one 900 Convertible. Some good parts here still but not complete cars, obviously. All are sold as salvage.
Tom's Saab Parts Collection - a ton of everything Saab
There are literally tons of Saab parts here from full V4 engines, transmissions, Sonett seats, and gas tanks to, well, you name it. We would prefer to sell all the parts as a whole. Bid for the whole lot and bring something to haul them home.
Serious bidders only please!
Click here to bid on any of the items below.
If you're looking for affordable car transport, I've used this guy and he's solid:
Randy Bond • (408) 842-5341 •