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George’s Imports is not a typical service center. With a rich history spanning almost 60 years, the Schaffner family has specialized in the passion of imported automotive perfection.
For over 30 years George's Imports Ltd. was the exclusive Saab dealer in Kansas City Missouri. Even now, outlasting the manufacturing of new Saab automobiles George's Imports Ltd is the area’s only Factory Authorized Saab Service Center for warranty and service. When the French manufactured Citroen imported vehicles to the United States during the 1960’s and 70’s, George’s was Kansas City’s only authorized dealership.
The following time line gives one a glimpse of the world of George's Imports Ltd. |
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1
9
2
0's |
1920, women vote
1921, First White Castle
1922,
1923, Louis Armstrong, The Jazz Age in Chicago
1924, J. Edgar Hoover appointed director FBI
1925, Hitler publishes Mein Kampf
1926,
1927, Lindbergh flies "Spirit of St. Louis" NY to
Paris
1928, Charleston is "worldwide" dance craze
1929, Stock Exchange collapses (Black Friday) |
 |
1922, George B
Schaffner, Sr. born
1923, Country Club Plaza opens in Kansas City |
1
9
3
0's |
1930,
1931,
1932,
1933, worst year of Great Depression?
1934, Adolf Hitler comes to power in Germany
1935, U.S. Social Security Act
1936,
1937,
1938,
1939, Stalin-Hitler non-agression Pact, followed by WWII |
1937, First use
of the name SAAB, an acronym for Svenska Aero Aktiebolaget,
established in Trollhättan to build an aircraft to defend Sweden's
neutrality. Pioneered innovation of ejection seat for aircraft. In
August work starts on construction of The aircraft assembly plant
and airfield at Stallbacka and Malöga. |
1930's, George
works as a machinist for both Wilcox Electric and a local machine
shop. |
1
9
4
0's |
1940,WORLD WAR II:
Hitler invades Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, France
1941, Manhattan Project begins
1942, Pearl Harbor, America enters the War.
1943,
1944,
1945, WWII ends.
1946,
1947, Over 1 million vets enroll in colleges under GI Bill
1948, Truman re-elected (vs. Dewey) |
1940 - 1946 As
the war ends the decision is made to use its design and engineering
abilities to build automobiles.
1947, the 92 was approved for production by Saab's directors.
1949, the first Saab 92s arrived in Swedish showrooms with a
25-hp, two-cylinder, two-stroke engine, a top speed of about 62 mph,
and a price tag of 6,550 kronor. |
1940's, George
works at a cement factory keeping the cement block machine working.
1949, George B. Schaffner, Jr. (Brad) born January 2 |
1
9
5
0's |
1950,,North Korea
invades South Korea
1951, Korean War continues
1952, Nixon's "Checkers" speech
1953, Stalin dies
1954, Brown v Bd of Education of Topeka,
1955, RCA signs Elvis Presley
1956, Federal-Aid Highway Act
1957, USSR launches Sputnik
1958, Chuck Berry records Johnny B. Goode
1959 |
1950 Customer
deliveries commence in Sweden. Saab wins the Rikspokalen, considered
the toughest and most important rally in Sweden.
1955 Saab 93 replaces the 92 with totally new suspension,
newly launched tubeless tyres, new front and grille and a 748cc 33hp
three-cylinder engine.
1956, 93 first car Saab offered to the US market made its
debut at the New York International Auto Show. But Millet felt the
93 was capable of more. Saab entered the Great American Mountain
Rally, a 1500-mile trek over wintry New England trails. Of course,
the 93 took first place. With the resulting publicity, sales bloomed
overnight. Within twelve months, 1,410 93s had been sold, and the
company had firmly established the link between performance,
durability, and the name Saab.
1956, Saab Sonett Super Sport prototype debuts. An open
two-seater fiberglass sports car with light alloy frame developed to
meet new competition rules.
(1958 - 1968)Saab Granturismo 750/850/Monte Carlo 850
1959, Saab 95 station-wagon version is launched. This
featured fold-down, rearward facing third seat; making it a 7-seater |
1951George B.
Schaffner drives his own truck for Allied Moving and Storage, finds
the job un-fulfilling and returns to the Cement Block Factory
1953 Terry L. Schaffner born June 18th 1953
1956, George Schaffner opens Quonset hut housed garage in
Liberty, MO.
1957, Brad was eight years old when his dad sat him on the
fender of a truck to hone cylinders. |
1
9
6
0's |
1960, Gary Powers
shot down in U-2 over USSR
1961, construction of Berlin Wall
1962, Cuban Missile Blockade
1963, JFK assassination.
1964, Gulf of Tonkin
1965,
1966,
1967,
1968, RFK Shot
1969, Woodstock |
1960 Saab 96
which replaced the 93 is revealed on February 17 with major exterior
changes and improvements including flow-through air-circulation, and
a larger and more powerful engine. The 96 was the mainstay of sales
throughout the 1960’s.
1962, Saab introduces safety belts as standard equipment
several years before becoming mandatory.
1962, Saab produces it's 300,000 car
1967, Saab introduces the safety steering column
1967, Saab Sonett II arrives. Designed specifically for the
US market to bring glamour to the Saab name where European rally
success had little impact. Initially launched with the two-stroke
engine, but is soon changed to the four-stroke V4.
1969, Saab introduces the 99 which has been in development
since 1962 |
1960's Working
out of his garage at home, George B. Schaffner, Sr. develops a
reputation for his ability to repair all of the unique and
interesting cars coming from Europe. His sons, George Jr.
"Brad" and Terry work closely with their father over the
next several years.
1964,, George's Foreign Car Service moves from his home
garage to Prospect Ave. and becomes an Authorized Citroen Dealer.
1966, Moves Citroen Dealership to 8106 Prospect
1967, Bran Graduates from High School. Terry Schaffner
rebuilds his first engine at age 14.
1969, Brad enters the military. Is stationed in Nebraska and
works at a Citroen dealership there. |
1
9
7
0's |
1970, Voting age
lowered to 18
1971, Pentagon Papers Published
1972, Last U.S. military leave Vietnam
1973, Spiro Agnew resigns
1974, Nixon Resigns
1975, Patty Hearst found by FBI
1976, Bicentennial celebrations
1977, Dollar drops, President Carter
1978, mass suicide Jonestown, Guyana,
1979, Ayatollah Khomeini, oil shortages |
1971, Headlight
wiper-washers, heated driver’s seat and self-repairing bumpers.
Saab wins first international safety award.
1972, Saab introduces side impact safety reinforcements
1974, Saab 99 range of 2 and 4 door sedans is broadened with
the launch of the Combi Coupe. A 3-door hatchback, a concept that
became a hallmark for Saab in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s.
1976, Saab introduces the Turbo, One millionth Saab car
leaves the assembly line in Trollhättan.
1978, The Saab 900 is launched, based on the Saab 99 platform
but with a longer wheelbase, new front and new interior. Initially
available as a 3 or 5-door hatchback. The era of the modern Saab
begins. Saab introduces cabin ventilation air filter to remove
pollen and other impurities from the air coming into the car. |
1972, Terry
Schaffner graduates from High School.
1972, Brad marries Bobbi while stationed in Nebraska
1973, Brad returns from military service and works with
father. Last year Citroen is imported to the U.S.
1974, Brad begins racing for fun and experience.
1974, Brad and Bobbi have a daughter, Kerrie
1976, George becomes a Saab dealership, moves to 7746 Warnall
Rd. and becomes George's Imports Ltd. Bobbi begins working at
George's Imports Ltd. |
1
9
8
0's |
1980, Unemployment
soaring, 16% interest
1981, Iranian hostages released
1982, Viet Nam Veterans Memorial "Wall" dedicated
1983,
1984, Reagan re-elected
1985, Swiss requires catalytic converters
1986, Stock Market closes above 1600 for first time
1987, Hearings on Iran-Contra
1988, Savings & loans failures
1989, USSR: first contested elections |
1982 Saab
introduces asbestos-free brake linings
1983, Saab introduces 16 valve engines
1984 Saab 9000 press launch. Only the third all-new model in
Saab’s history. It is initially planned as a large 5-door luxury
car with a sedan profile but with the practicality of a hatchback.
1985, Saab introduces safety belt tensioners
1986, Saab introduces the turob convertible and anti-lock
brakes
1988, Saab introduces Traction Control, Drivers side air bag
and climate optimized exhaust control. |
1987, Brad wins
Saab's Master Technician Competition and a trip to Bermuda
1988, George B. Schaffner, Sr., founder passes on from
Leukemia.
1989, Racing a Saab 99 on the 1/2 mile oval track and
George's Imports wins often! |
1
9
9
0's |
1990, August 2
Iraq invaded Kuwait causing a international crisis.
1991,
1992,Bill Clinton Elected President
1993,
1994,
1995,
1996,
1997,
1998,
1999, |
1990, Saab enters
joint venture with General Motors to form Saab Automobile AB.
1991, Saab 9000CS is unveiled as a major facelift and upgrade
of the Saab 9000. New front and rear, completely new inner body
structure achieving greater crash resistance, road holding and side
collision protection. Saab introduces CFC-free Air Conditioning
1992, Saab Trionic engine management system with 32 bit
microprocessor is launched in the Saab 9000.
1993, All new Saab 900 is launched in Trollhättan and
receives high praise for new safety features, new 2 liter turbo
engine and new V6 engine.
1994, Saab 900 3-door "Coupé" and new Saab 900
Convertible are unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show.
1996, Saab reveals unique Active Head Restraint System, SAHR,
at the Geneva Motor Show.
1997, Saab celebrates their 50th Anniversary.
1998, Saab replaces the 9000 with the 9-5, Saab replaces 900
with the 9-3 |
1990, (Terry's
Sr.'s Son starts working for George's.
1991, Kerrie Schaffner, (Brad and Bobbi's daughter) turns 16
and wins Powder Puff Derby driving a Saab.
1992, Kerrie wins "Rookie of the year" at race
track.
1995, George's Imports, Ltd. Moves to it's new location at
8011 State Line Road.
1998, Tom Toler joins as Sales Manager. George's Imports
launches, kcsaab.com |
2
0
0
0's |
1990, August 2
Iraq invaded Kuwait causing a international crisis.
1991,
1992,Bill Clinton Elected President
1993,
1994,
1995,
1996,
1997,
1998,
1999, |
1990, Saab enters
joint venture with General Motors to form Saab Automobile AB.
1991, Saab 9000CS is unveiled as a major facelift and upgrade
of the Saab 9000. New front and rear, completely new inner body
structure achieving greater crash resistance, road holding and side
collision protection. Saab introduces CFC-free Air Conditioning
1992, Saab Trionic engine management system with 32 bit
microprocessor is launched in the Saab 9000.
1993, All new Saab 900 is launched in Trollhättan and
receives high praise for new safety features, new 2 liter turbo
engine and new V6 engine.
1994, Saab 900 3-door "Coupé" and new Saab 900
Convertible are unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show.
1996, Saab reveals unique Active Head Restraint System, SAHR,
at the Geneva Motor Show.
1997, Saab celebrates their 50th Anniversary.
1998, Saab replaces the 9000 with the 9-5, Saab replaces 900
with the 9-3 |
1990, (Terry's
Sr.'s Son starts working for George's.
1991, Kerrie Schaffner, (Brad and Bobbi's daughter) turns 16
and wins Powder Puff Derby driving a Saab.
1992, Kerrie wins "Rookie of the year" at race
track.
1995, George's Imports, Ltd. Moves to it's new location at
8011 State Line Road.
1998, Tom Toler joins as Sales Manager. George's Imports
launches, kcsaab.com |
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