Saab History

Historic SAAB 93 At Geneva Show En Route To Mille Miglia

Posted on 01. Mar, 2010 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Dimitri Baumgartner & Frederic Demaret Saabhuy.Net

2 March 2010

Saab at Geneva Motor Show 2010

Historic Saab 93 on Show at Geneva en route to Mille Miglia

· Unique heritage: Saab celebrates first major international rally success
· Historic recreation: Saab and Spyker CEOs to run Saab 93s in 2010 Mille Miglia

Saab is celebrating its first major victory in international motor sport by showing a replica of the Saab 93 sedan which won the Finnish 1,000 Lakes Rally in 1957.

With Erik ‘Mr Saab’ Carlsson at the wheel, this historic victory brought international recognition for the Saab brand. It also presaged back-to-back Monte Carlo and a hat-trick of RAC Rally victories that Carlsson would achieve in the early 1960s.

Powered by a 748 cc, three cylinder engine, but weighing only 810 kilos, the Saab 93’s agile handling enabled it to embarrass far more powerful, larger cars. It established a winning ‘David beats Goliath’ formula that was to be a cornerstone of Saab’s rallying success.

The Saab 93 is now about to see competition action again. The car on show – from Saab’s car museum in Trollhättan, Sweden – will be driven by Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller on Italy’s historic Mille Miglia road race in May. He will be joined by Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson at the wheel of another Saab 93. Both will be following, at a more leisurely pace, in the wheel tracks of the 1000 Lakes winner, which won its class on the same event back in 1957.

“Unique cars like the 93 are a key part of the Saab brand’s wonderful heritage,” said Victor Muller “I shall enjoy driving it and being able to share in some of Saab’s history.”

Between 1955 and 1960, 52.731 Saab 93s were built at Trollhättan. Its frontal styling introduced a new face for Saab, carried forward by the 96 sedan and 95 station wagon which stayed in production until 1980.

Technical data: Saab 93, 1957, Group 2 competition regulations:

Engine: 3-cylinder, 2-stroke engine, 748cc Solex 40 AI carburetor

Power: 55 hp/ DIN / 5.500 rpm (Standard 33 hp/ DIN / 4200 rpm)

Transmission: Front wheel drive, 3/4-spd manual gearbox, freewheel, steering column shift

Body/chassis: Unitary. Front suspension: double A-arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension: rigid, U-shaped rear axle, coil springs. Drum brakes all-round

Dimensions (mm): Length 4.010, Width 1.570, Height 1450 mm, Wheelbase 2.488
Track front/ rear 1,220

Weight: 810 kg

Performance: 0-100 km/h: 13 secs. Top speed: 150 km/h

Continue Reading

A 1957 SAAB 93 Participates In Mille Miglia Thanks To Saab Car Museum

Posted on 15. May, 2009 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

Peter Bäckström, manager of the Saab Car Museum, has just notified Saab History that a beautiful 1957 SAAB 93 will be participating in the Mille Miglia which takes place in Brescia, Italy.

It’s nice to see the Saab Car Museum getting involved in a nice road races as throwback to the past, done in the present.

A thank you to Peter for providing it and managing the effort and initiative!

Hello there!

A Saab 93 1957 is participating in Mille Miglia this year driven by the former Saab executives Hans-Göran Persson and Sten-Åke Aronsson. The car itself, owned by Lars-Göran, is in a beautiful original condition and the 750cc engine is tuned by the 2-stroke supremo Bengt-Erik Ström, earlier engine mechanic at the Saab Competitions Department.

The enclosed picture shows the car loaded before departure to Brescia, Italy, after some final adjustments in the Saab Car Museums workshop:

from left to right: Rolf Ebefors, Saab Car Museum
Ture Stam, Saab Car Museum
Lars-Göran Persson, Driver & Owner
Sten-Ã…ke Aronsson, Navigator

Best Regards
Peter Bäckström
Manager Saab Car Museum
Brand & Product Communications
Saab Automobile AB

Continue Reading

SAAB 93B History Covered By German Film Company

Posted on 15. Feb, 2009 by Ryan.

A German Film company, Old Timer TV, have recently produced a very well done film of the original SAAB 93B (1957-1959).

A thank you to the company for sharing their material and coverage. It’s not often we get coverage of this vintage, combined with enthusiasts vehicles in such pristine order celebrated like they are brand new!

Evidently, this film will be also available in English in April, later this year, so stay tuned!

Click here to watch the film.

Continue Reading

Former SAAB Owner Writes About First Encounters With 1957 SAAB 93

Posted on 09. Jan, 2009 by Ryan.

As we know the SAAB 93was the first model to be imported into the United States back in late 1956 as a 1957 model year. The SAAB 93, was recently mentioned from a blogger about a personal experience!

This must be the first time EVER, that I have heard someone using this technological medium to discuss a vintage vehicle like this within the Saab community. I am so utterly impressed that they remembered their experience in Massachusetts with the SAAB 93 with such detail.

I am also pleased that this memory was trigged from listening to one of my favorite shows on National Public Radio, Click & Clack’s “Car Talk”, which is also based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I wonder if they ever ran into Kurt Vonnegut at SAAB Cape Cod given that they referenced that region?

Anyways, here is their full account of the SAAB 93 republished with permission from author:

I was listening to Click and Clack (a car repair talk show) on public radio last Saturday and one of their comments made me think about a car I once owned. A 1957 SAAB 93.

For those of you who are not familiar with this classic car from Sweden, the SAAB 93 was a two stroke, three cylinder contraption that was made with left over engines from light aircraft.
When you filled up the gas tank you also poured a quart of oil in with the gas.

It did have a few quirks. One being the engine could run in either direction, and one being when you coasted you could disconnect the engine from the drive train altogether, put the shift in reverse and engage the engine. The car still ran forward, but with only one speed, reverse gear. It would back up with three speeds however. For someone not familiar with this quirk it could get mighty confusing.

When I had my SAAB 93 it was pretty much a beater already. Ran good, well as good as any other SAAB 93 ran, and the heater worked! You had two heat settings, off and on. When it was off you froze. When it was on your feet caught fire.

I had taken the car to Massachusetts to visit my cousin. It was mid winter and I found the Saab handled pretty good in the snow. After being there for a day or so I discovered that there were several SAAB 93 in that town. What gives with that?
[...]

Continue Reading

The SAAB 93 GT750 : 1958 – 1960

Posted on 26. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile USA

In April of 1958, the Saab 93 GT750 (Gran Turismo) was introduced as a celebration to SAAB’s rally history.

The 93 GT750 was outfitted in both 93B and 93F models while featuring extra rally lights, chrome plated hubcaps as well as side moldings and GranTurismo emblems all around.

This model was the second production vehicle for SAAB and came equipped with the following specifications:
[...]

Continue Reading

The SAAB 93F : 1959 – 1960

Posted on 26. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

In late 1959 the 93F was introduced, following the 93B which featured front-hinged doors hence the designation of ‘F’ for front hinged doors.

The 93F marked the final year of production for the 93 and included the ability for SAAB to sell the remaining parts inventory prior to the new model launch.

This model was the second production vehicle for SAAB and came equipped with the following specifications:
[...]

Continue Reading

The SAAB 93B : 1957 – 1959

Posted on 25. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

On September 2, 1957 the 93B as the successor to the SAAB 93 (ninety three). One of the most noticeable changes in this model included the former two-piece windshield being replaced with a one-piece windshield.

The SAAB 92b also began with an option of a two-point seatbelt.

This model was the second production vehicle for SAAB and came equipped with the following specifications:
[...]

Continue Reading

The SAAB 93 : 1955 – 1957

Posted on 25. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: SAAB Motors Inc. – 93 Promotional Photo, New York, NY, 1956.

The SAAB 93 (ninety three), is the successor to the 92B and was produced in 1955.

This was also the first SAAB ever to be imported into the United States a year later in 1956 to the port of Hingham, Massachusetts, as well as Portugal, Spain and other countries.

The final year of this early model, it had the option of a two-point seatbelt by 1957.

This model was the second production vehicle for SAAB and came equipped with the following specifications:
[...]

Continue Reading