Ami Reist Jachimski, Director
Assistant Editor, 9s Magazine
Bishopville, MD
Ami’s first Saab was a white 1989 900 turbo convertible with red leather interior. Her parents bought it for her as a sweet-sixteen birthday gift. Ami’s father, Steve Reist, has been a Saab enthusiast and collector for years and passed his love for the Swedish car company on to his daughter. Ami’s first 900 convertible suffered ill-fate in 2004 when she rolled it while driving too-fast on a country back road down the street from her parent’s home. She walked away from that accident unscratched, even though her car was upside down in the roadway on top of her. It was the worst-case scenario for her beloved convertible, but the best case scenario for a young driver involved in a rollover. The security Ami felt in that car, led her to love the brand more than ever.
Since her 1989 Saab 900, Ami has purchased many Saabs over the years. Her current collection consists of a red 1994 Saab 900s, a red 1993 Saab 900 turbo, and a 2008 9-3 Sportcombi wagon. Saabs have played a role in all of the most important parts of Ami’s life: homecoming parades, her wedding day, Christmas parades, and many car shows. Ami grew up in Central Pennsylvania and fondly remembers her father’s friends stopping by to show off their cars and talk Saabs.
Ami currently resides in Ocean City, MD with her husband and daughter. Her little red 900 is constantly filled with sand and beach gear and is often used as the most-fun flower delivery vehicle for her floral design business. Ami’s parents live nearby and there is always a parts car parked at her father’s house and endless to-do lists to keep their Saabs looking great and on the road. Ami hopes to pass her love for Saabs on to her daughter who currently says that she’d like a yellow Monte Carlo 900 convertible for her 16th birthday.