Saab History

Photo Credit: Doug Chadwick

The 1988 Saab Owners Convention took place on July 22nd through the 24th, 1988 in Wilmington, Delaware.

This location in Wilmington, Delaware is known as “New Sweden” and the convention was “themed” under a special anniversary year since the first Swedish Immigrants entered America in 1638.

A thanks to Bill Jacobson at Sports Car Service for the information from a posted he loaned Saab History in order to capture the following information in lieu of a booklet and official writeup of the event from the planning committee at the time:

SAAB OWNERS NATIONAL CONVENTION
JULY 22-24, 1988
WILMINGTON, DEL.

New Sweden 1638-1988
Celebrating The 350th Anniversary of the Swedes and Finns First Permanent Settlement in North America.

A Gathering For All Saab Owners

* Concours & Rallye
* Saab Dignitaries
* Parts & Sales Exchange
* Technical Sessions
* Awards Banquet
* Family Fare Historical Tours
* Fun, Fun, Fun!!

Wilmington Hilton Hotel
I-95 & NAAMANS ROAD
CLAYMONT, DE 19703

For More Information Write:
Delaware Valley Saab Club
Convention Information
36 S. Cliffe Drive
Wilmington, DE 19809
(302)763-7439

Also special thanks to Saab Enthusiasts, Doug Chadwick for the photography and Stefan Vapaa for the emblem.

I am still looking for the original booklet, photography of any kind and any video coverage of this event as well.

This convention is also listed on the Saab Convention Archive here on Saab History.

Photo Credit: Saab History

This just in from Bob Sinclair, former President of Saab-Scania of America, Inc. regarding the Saab-Scania Coffee mug.

A thank you to Jan-Willem Vester at Saab Automobile USA for providing the mug a number of months ago.

Here are the details about the importance of this coffee mug from Bob Sinclair, in his own words:

About the coffee mug, sometime in the early ’80s we established a multi-level follow-up that went to every buyer of a new Saab. I don’t recall the details, but it went something like this:

1. Standard “letter of welcome” like just about all car companies send.
2. Stereo tape cleaner, again with a message of thanks for choosing Saab.
3. Coffee mug, with a 3rd message, my card inside the mug.

The purpose was two-fold: To build favorable feelings toward Saab, of course, and to let owners know where to write if they had any problems…with their car, their dealer, or whatever.

Establishing direct contact with owners resulted in a huge amount of mail landing on my desk, but it also gave me direct insight into our operations across the nation. I read every letter. Our headquarters personnel, our employees out in the field, and our dealers all knew it. And they knew that complaints would be investigated, and if found to be legitimate the responsible dealer would be held accountable. At least that’s how it was supposed to work. Was it perfect? Of course not, but I think the effort involved was well worth it…and was just one more element of building a successful business for Saab here in the U. S.

I was sorting through the video collection today and uncovered a film on VHS titled “The 50th Annivesary Jumbileumdagen” or the Jubilee Day which took place in Trollhättan, Sweden on August 10th, 1987.

This 50th Anniversary is for the SAAB company since 1937 when they began as an aircraft manufacturer, but also represents the 40th Anniversary as an automobile manufacturer.

I enjoyed this documentary and hope you do too and I leave you to see the differences from the experience then, in comparison to the 60th Anniversary event I went to this past year again in Trollhättan, Sweden, now officially known as the “Saab Festival”.

Here is a summary of this documentary from the cover & refererse of this videocasette:

50th Anniversary Jumbileumdagen

A Video Documentary of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of SAAB Scania, held at its factory in Sweden, plus side trips of interest to all SAAB owners.

Comprehensive footage covering the whole event:

The Ultimate Concours, with every kind of SAAB from all over Europe and the States.

SAAB’s on parade: 92’s to 9000’s and more…

A Video stroll through the SAAB Museum

Parts, Parts, Parts: a look through a Swedish boneyard

Photo Credit: Saab-Scania AB

I have located the original photograph in my archives from the Frankfurt Motor Show that Saab used in their press release to showcase the original Saab 900 Turbo Cabriolet prototype in 1983. This vehicle was also featured in the Saab Olympics which took place in Los Angeles in 1984.

Here is the caption from the photograph as I am still looking to obtain this original press release:

SAAB 900 TURBO CABRIOLET — The Saab Turbo Cabriolet is a design study based on the Saab 900. The prototype presented at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show in West Germany is powered by the Swedish automaker’s 175-horsepower third generation turbocharged engine with four valves per cylinder and intercooler. Top speed is in excess of 125 miles per hour. No decision has been made about production.

In 1984, Saab-Scania of Finland produced a promotional film titled “Saab Dealer Of The Year”. The film was produced in order to properly recognize their number 1 Saab dealership in every capacity of the year in Finland.

The criteria involved apparently covered every aspect of the dealership from sales, service as well as the parts department.

While this film is quite nostalgic and somewhat fun to watch, the “Saab Dealer Of The Year” program was extremely important in fostering an environment for Saab dealerships to exceed expectations and goals whenever possible.

If you are a Saab Dealership located anywhere on the globe and are reading this, I would be interested in what programs either Saab Automobile runs, and/ or your dealership runs today that serve this objective in a modern day sense.

In the meantime, I will be contacting Saab of Finland to see if they have this criteria in their archives from this program.

Enjoy the video below. For those non-native Finnish speakers, I would suggest watching the film in two segments. The Introduction at 00:00 to 01:35 and the finale at 08:30 to 10:45.

I look forward to your comments.

In 1984, the Saab Car Division of Saab-Scania organized a massive program for their employees nearby and in parallel to the real summer Olympics that were taking place in Los Angeles, California.

This long promotional video mainly focuses the Saab olympic events that the employees participated in as well as a trip to the real Olympics and Disneyland as part of the program.

The only Saab Automobile that was featured, was an appearance of the first Saab 900 Convertible Prototype at 6 minutes, 55 seconds into the film, followed by a number of classic 900 hatchbacks as part of the opening ceremony for the Saab Olympics.

This is another promotional video uncovered from the recent donation of films that is titled “Saab Is Simply Irresistable”, produced in 1990.

This film is a mix of a variety of films such as Saab Suite, Saab Aircraft Suite and other footage.

I find the promotional film kind of funny to watch, but I do appreciate the good footage of the Saab models it includes. Enjoy.

This film can be found permanently in the Saab Film Archive within the “1990″ section.

This video is the second in a series donated to Saab History from a Saab Enthusiast in Finland. This promotional film showcases the Saab 900 “Aero”, also known as the SPG in the United States for model year 1985. Enjoy.

Saab 900 “Aero” Promo Finland - 1984

Saab History has recently received another nice donation, this time from a Saab Enthusiast in Finland who has provided a DVD that contains a number of vintage promotional videos done by Saab-Scania of Finland from 1979 to 1984.

This video is the first in a series and features the 1985 model year 900i “notchback”, with a finnish voiceover. Enjoy.

Saab 900i Promo Finland - 1984

Starting the late Eighties throughout the Nineties, Saab-Scania of America, Inc. who later became Saab Cars USA, Inc. hired a company called “Cramer Productions” in Boston, Massachusetts to do a number of promotional videos ranging from product launches to informative technical training videos.

I have recently come into contact with one of the set designers that worked with Cramer Productions & the Saab Training Team during some of those years who was responsible for the design of these sets in addition to the interior of some of the training centers as well. He has kindly provided us both a rendering as well as a final product that has was personally responsible for designing and setting up.The rendering below is simply a work of art and the photograph below of the set design helps clarify that the two “SAAB” report videos in the film archive, are from 1990 and 1991 representing model years 91 and 92 respectively.

An enthusiastic thank you to Geoffrey Hall for donating his time and materials to Saab History.

Photo Credit & Caption: Geoffrey Hall Saab Dealership & Garage Facility rendered in 1989

Here is a video showing the “SAAB” report done in 1991 for the MY92 product launch that shows the Saab dealership set created for Cramer Productions back in 1989 by Geoffrey Hall.

Photo Credit & Caption: Geoffrey Hall The “SAAB” report studio set

Here is a video showing the “SAAB” report done in 1990 for the MY91 product launch with some good angles showing the set design pictured above also created for Cramer Productions in Boston, Massachusetts. Enjoy.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab Experimental Vehicle (EV-1) was introduced at the International motorshow in Frankfurt, Germany between September 12th through the 22nd of 1985. It was at this event where Saab introduced the first experimental vehicle or concept car in Europe that was based off of the Saab 900 Turbo 16.

This vehicle was designed by Björn Envall at the Saab Design Center. The sheet metal and painting was done by Mellberg Custom in Nyköping, Sweden, the same town where Saab maintains a rather large parts & accessories facility.

The purpose of this vehicle was for Saab to test materials, components and technology in the real world. Unlike many concept vehicles, this vehicle was built similiar to a production vehicle in that it was extremely capable as a daily-driver vehicle in even the most extreme conditions.

The design is of the EV-1 is quite progressive with cutting-edge technology deployed throughout. One of the most significant integration of environmentally sensitive technologies in the EV-1 was the roof being built almost entirely of solar cells that produce electric power for the fans that provide ventilation in the car when located in close proximity to direct and indirect sunlight.

The front and rear parts of the EV-1 are built out of a lightweight aramid fibre reinforced plastic which can absorb impact and resume their original shape. The interior of the vehicle consists of lightweight seats that are electrically controlled, very progressive for the time.

The engine is a standard, 16-valve Turbo engine that has been tuned to provide 285 horsepower.

The chassis and suspension include standard components that were adopted from a standard Saab 900 Turbo model and tweaked and modified slightly.

Here are some more of the original photos from the press release:

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Photo Credit: Saab History

The Saab Factory in Trollhättan, Sweden began production in December of December of 1949 of the SAAB 92. At that time, the factory still exhibited it’s aircraft heritage with an air traffic control tower and wind sock elements that were built back in 1937 when they were manufacturing airplanes. From 1947 until 1949, SAAB built automobiles such as the 92001 prototype (URSAAB) and the SAAB 92 in Linköping, Sweden.

At the time of completion of the SAAB factory in 1949, the space available for automobile production covered approximately 190,000 square feet (17,700 sq. meters). This space consisted of the press, body and assembly, engine & transmission construction, upholstery and paint shops and lastly final assembly and adjustment areas. The SAABs built per day at the time were three to four which resulted in 1,246 SAAB 92 cars built in the first year, model year 1950.

In the 10 years of airplane production and 57 years of automobile production that have taken place at the SAAB factory in Trollhättan, the classic Saab 900 that began production in 1979 and ended in 1993 and 1994 with the convertible still remains the leader in units producted with nearly 1 million (908, 810)

Today, the Saab Automobile factory has increased dramatically over the years to include a number of enhancements, additions and expansions to the press, body assembly and most recently the paint shop in 2000. The inventory system the factory uses today is referred to as “Just In Time” or JIT where all materials and supplies are made available only for what is being produced at the present time, therefore there will be no overstock or wasted materials.

It is also worth mentioning that all vehicles produced in the Saab Automobile factory in Trollhättan, Sweden are all built on specific demand from Saab Automobile dealerships worldwide.

The Saab Automobile cars that are produced at the factory today include the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, Saab 9-3 SportCombi, Saab 9-5 Sedan and the Saab 9-5 SportCombi.

At the recent Saab Festival celebrating 60 years of an automobile manufacturer (3 years in Linköping, and 57 in Trollhättan), I had along with many, the opportunity to tour the factory. Factory tours are available year-round with advanced notice. While there are no opportunities for photos nor videos to be taken during the tours, I have been able to provide you some of the most recent footage of the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan being manufactured in the factory from the first model year, 2003.

Sources:

* Saab Automobile AB
* Sjogren, Gunnar A. The SAAB Way, the first 35 years of Saab cars, 1949-1984 Nyköping, Sweden Österbergs Tryckeri AB, 1984.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

2007-06-01

CONTACTS

Saab 60th Anniversary

Carlsson’s Choice: Erik Selects Six Favorites from Saab’s Hall of Fame

The career of Eric (Mr Saab) Carlsson, international rallying’s first superstar, spans six decades. It has taken him from test driving in Trollhättan, to the top of the podium in Monte Carlo and on to a globe-trotting role as Saab’s international ambassador. Here Erik chooses his six favorite Saabs, one from each decade. His recollections, and the cars themselves, tell the story of how the automotive aspirations of an aircraft manufacturer took wing.

As a young boy, Erik Carlsson used to stand on the perimeter of his local airfield in Trollhättan and admire the aerobatics of Saab aircraft flying overhead. Little did he know that Saab would one day start making cars and that he would play a key role in its growth as an auto maker.

Erik’s legendary exploits at wheel of the ‘little red cars from Sweden’ include two back-to-back victories in the Monte Carlo Rally and a hat-trick of wins in the British RAC Rally. His success in the early Sixties launched Saab as a global car brand and today, at 78 years young, Erik still plays an active part in Saab activities.

Preparing to lead the celebrations for Saab’s 60th Anniversary next week, he is happy to take up the theme by identifying his six favorite Saab cars, one from each decade.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

1950s
“I think we all have a special place in our heart for our first car, “ he says. “In my case it was a Saab 92, in green like they all were then, which I bought second-hand from a farmer in Trollhättan. It was 1952, I was 23 and I had started a job at a local garage.

“Saab was the big local company and they had just started making cars. It was an exciting time and the 92 really was something different from other cars, with its streamlined shape and aircraft engineering. Most cars then had a separate body and chassis bolted together, but the 92 had one single body structure, as most cars do these days. It was light but extremely strong, as I found in my rallying.

“It also handled really well with the front wheel drive. It had a small engine but I could go quicker than larger cars that had quite a bit more power.”

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

1960s
Erik’s success in local rallying events at the wheel of his 92 quickly led to full-time employment with Saab as a test and development and works rally driver. His ‘Saab of the 60s’ is the famous Saab 96 that brought international rally success for him and for the company. More than 500,000 examples were to be sold in a production run spanning almost 20 years.

“The 96 had more power, good suspension, disc brakes and great handling. We didn’t have a roll-over cage, but with the 96 you didn’t need one, as I appreciated a few times. Although I got the nickname ‘Carlsson on the Roof’, I don’t think I rolled all that many times. But I remember one occasion when I rolled over in a ditch and water was coming in. It was like sitting in an aquarium but the roof pillars were extremely strong so we weren’t drowned or hurt much at all.”

The aircraft engineering tradition of combining strength with light weight helped establish the popularity of the Saab 96 and in snowy and icy conditions Erik was able to fully exploit its sure-footed handling. But he also has a soft spot for the sister car of the 96, the Saab 95 wagon.

“Quite a few eyebrows were raised when I did the ’61 Monte Carlo with one. It was unheard of to use a wagon or estate car but the 95 handled and drove every bit as well as the 96. I was fourth that year. We used the wagon, together with its aerofoil on the roof, because it had just come out with a four-speed gearbox, which really helped on the steep alpine passes.”

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

1970s
Carlsson’s choice as ‘Saab of the 70s’ is the now iconic, black Saab 99 Turbo. “A lot of people at the time said we wouldn’t get turbocharging to work for passenger cars,” says Erik. “ I would say history has proved them wrong.”

These days, the words ‘turbocharging and Saab’ are as closely associated as ‘peaches and cream’ or ‘bacon and eggs’ , but back in 1977, exactly 30 years ago, when the 99 Turbo was unveiled, Saab surprised the automotive world by declaring that it had succeeded in ‘taming the turbo’ .

“The 99 was a great chassis and with the turbo we had real power to exploit its potential,” says Erik, who remembers secret forest test driving and his first experiences of the explosive performance on full boost. “We had to do a lot of work to control the boost, to stop the engine blowing up and to get the power on the ground. But, of course, we showed it could be done and just about everyone now uses turbocharging.”

The logic behind getting ‘big engine power from a small engine’, or ‘right-sizing’ as Saab calls it, is even more attractive these days, with the need to save weight, reduce bulk and improve fuel consumption. “Our top engineer, Pelle Gillbrand, who led the project, used to put it very simply,” says Erik. “He would explain that all engines have a fuel pump, a water pump and an oil pump – so why not an air pump? That’s all a turbo really is and he thought it was strange that all engines didn’t have one.”

With its wraparound, cockpit-inspired windshield, ‘clampshell’ hood and ‘self-repairing’ bumpers, the bold and distinctive looks of the larger Saab 99 took Saab upmarket, a process continued by its evolution into the ‘classic’ Saab 900, of which more than 900,000 were sold.

“The first production cars in jet black and cardinal red had Inca ally wheels, which were intended to symbolize the turbine of turbo, not a cheese-grater, as some people suggested,” laughs Erik. “It was, and still is, a very distinctive car. We had the ignition key between the seats on the floor and people were always surprised by that. But why not? There were valid reasons for it, to do with ergonomics and good crash impact safety. It’s like the throttle controls of an aircraft, between the seats in the cockpit. We still have it today and that’s another feature where I think we have proved the sceptics wrong!”

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

1980s
Carlsson’s choice for the ‘Saab of the 80s’ – the Saab 900 Convertible – surprised the automotive world when it was revealed as a design study at the