I have recently managed to locate an extremely rare SAAB 95 television advertisement from 1961. This particular video, one minute in length was done in English, by Phillipsons, SAAB’s first reseller in their home country of Sweden.

This was a great surprise and a great video, the vintage footage is astounding and I am glad I can share this here on Saab History.

I have added this video to the Saab History video archive., now at 478.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The SAAB 95 was created in May of 1959 as a two-stroke seven passenger “estate” wagon that included rear-hinged suicide doors from older SAAB 93s and 93Bs and was built in the Linköping, Sweden factory due to capacity in Trollhättan and the V4 models began production in Uusikaupunki, Finland

This new model for SAAB was the most capable vehicle in terms of storage and passenger capacity, with the bench seat in the rear that folded away for two.

This model ran until 1966 when it was converted into model equipped with a V4 engine in 1967 that carried it all the way until 1978.

This new model for SAAB and came equipped with the following specifications:

Exterior: Estate, three doors, 905kg/1,995 lbs.

1960 MY Blue and white two-tone color and silver-grey wheels.
1961 MY Rear Roof Spoiler, city grey and arctic ocean blue
1963 MY SAAB Emblem changed to Saab name and logo airplane on grille & midnight blue, brown-beight and black were included, green was eliminated.
1964 MY New Colors of Glacier Blue and Savannah Brown
1965 MY Straight Nose, eliminating bullnose & New Headlights and directionals. New Colors were Olive Green, Torreador Red, Polar White, Midnight Blue, Savannah Brown and Glacier Blue.
1966 MY New Hubcaps, stainless steel trim strips, new headlamp flasher, new external rear view mirrors, disc brakes, designated as “95 Special” with new colors such as dark grey and yellow, savannah brown and olive green eliminated.
1967 MY Hussar Blue and Silversand added as colors
1968 MY V4 De Lux with trim strips and rear windows that could be opened, windscreen had an electric pump powered washer and 7cm deeper.
1969 MY Rectangular Headlamps, chrome grille, indicators moved to front wings, US still had round headlampsm, Sea Green and Black colors added.
1970 MY Medium Blue color added and headlamps wired via ignition so lights could not be left on.
1971 MY Headlight Washers Added, with electrodipping to improve rust prevention, new colors silver mink and tyrolene green replaced sea green.
1972 MY New Bumpers, Wheels with air holes. Amber Yellow and Verona Green added to colors.
1973 MY All markets now had rectangular headlights except for U.S. and carolina blue and brilliant yellow replaced medium blue and tyrolene green.
1974 MY Two piece plastic grille replaced 6 piece chrome grill. Radial tires and reel-style seatbelts, all standard. Sunset Orange, Sienna Brown and Lion Yellow were new colors.
1975 MY Black Windscreen wipers and window surrounds, New Colors Emerald Green, Coral White and Solar Red replaced Verona Green, Polar White and Toreador Red and alloy wheels for 1975B special model.
1976 Energy Absorbing Bumpers now standard. These would withstand a collision of up to 8kph (5mph) and resume their original shape. New Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), topaz yellow and opal green new colors.
1977 MY Black wing mirrors now with increased glass area. Astral Blue and Antelope Brown added to colors.
1978 MY Enlarged sidelight/indicator light clusters on the front wings. Jade Green and Laguna Blue substituted Opal Green and Astral Blue colors.

Interior: Seven Seats

1961 MY Woolen Cloth Interior
1962 MY Standard Seat Belts
1963 MY Horn Ring on Steering Wheel, Larger Rear View Mirror, Raised Seats and Better HVAC
1964 MY New Instrument Panel with round cluster & darker interior color
1966 MY New Instrumentation including tachometer
1967 MY New 3-Point Seat Belts
1968 MY Brake circuit indicated, V4 De Lux with rear windows that could be opened, dash in dark grey, controls in black to suppresss reflection, rear view mirror moved from dash to top of windscreen, horn ring replaced with control on steering column.
1969 MY telescopic steering column, attachments for head restraints
1970 MY An all new interior, a new instrument panel with all meters and lamps contained within two recessed dials, a new steering wheel and new buttons for heating and lighting, rear seat belts standard and V4 delux phased out.
1971 MY New Handbrake and warm air duct to rear seats
1972 MY Electronically Heated Seats
1973 MY All Instruments modified with yellow pointers and sunvisors had black backs.
1974 MY Rear seatbelt reminder lamp
1975 MY Reel-Type seat belts standard in rear, New Tachometer & leather steering wheel for 1975B Special Model
1976 MY Rear Bench Seat Was removed to the relocation of a spare wheel.
1977 MY Front Seats had 99 style, including head restraints.
1978 MY Front 99 Style Seats, integrated head restraint.

Chassis: Unitary, independent front suspension, front springs wishbones and coil with anti-roll torsion bars, beam axle, coil rear springs, front telescopic shock absorbers, rear lever arm, hydraulic drum brakes, single circuit braking, rack and pinion steering, 38.6 litre fuel tank, 5.60×15 tyres, 4″ rim.

1962 MY Interference suppression,vacuum conrolled ignition setting
1964 MY Diagonal split brakes
1969 MY Servo assisted brakes

Engine: Three-cylinder longitudinally mounted, 70x73mm, 841cc, compr: 7.3:1, 38hp @ 4,250 rpm, 79Nm @ 3,000 rpm & Two-stroke, aluminium cylinder head, cast iron block, 4-bearing crankshaft, one Zenith 34 VNN carburettor, fan, thermostat and pump (1959-1966)

1961 MY Key Activated Starter Motor
1965 MY Redesigned HVAC system & Engine Compression increased to 8.1:1 with hp to 44hp. New Hydraulic Clutch, fuel pump, exhaust system and top mounted foot pedals for clutch.
1966 MY Triple-Carburretor with higher output and fuel consumption as well.
1967 MY New V4- Engine (1967-1978) Four cylinder in V configuration, four stroke 1498cc 65 hp, new alternator, new battery and starter
1969 MY Autolite carburettor, airfilter, new radiator and expansion tank.
1971 MY 1.7 Liter engine with 65hp
1975 MY Special Model fitted with 1700 V4 Engine known as 1975B
1976 MY Engine output decreased to 62 hp from 65 for emissions standards.
1977 MY Twin-Choke Carburettor raised horsepower to 68 hp with the designation to the model as 1977B.

Transmission: Front-wheel drive, three-speed transmission, spiral bevel final drive, 5.43:1.

1966MY Four Speed Transmission
1975 MY Strenghtened Transmission

V4 Four speed manual gear box with free wheel

Dimensions:

Wheelbase 248.9cm/98″
Front Track 122cm/48″
Rear Track 122cm/48″
Ground Clearance 19cm/7.5″
Turning Circle (L) 10.97m/36′, (R) 11.5m/37’10″
Length 401.5cm/158″
Width 157.5cm/62″
Height 147cm/58″
Performance Max Speed 75mph/120kph
15.8 mph/25.4 kph @1,000 rpm
Acceleration 0-60mph 44secs
Standing Mile 24.8secs
Average Fuel Consumption 26.34mpg (manufacturer)

Global Production:

Model Year – Units

1959 – 55
1960 – ?
1961 – ?
1962 – ?
1963 – ?
1964 – ?
1965 – ?
1966 – ?
1967 – ?
1968 – ?
1969 – ?
1970 – ?
1971 – ?
1972 – ?
1973 – ?
1974 – ?
1975 – ?
1976 – ?
1977 – ?
1978 – ?

Production ended on 23 February 1978 with Saab manufacturing some 110,527 units since its introduction in 1959.

I am no stranger to this car — I’ve seen it in Stratham, New Hampshire numerous times, as well as at an independent Saab mechanic’s shop in Berwick, Maine.

Some runners up today included a family heading to the beach in a 2000 Silver 5-door Viggen on 101 Eastbound with VT plates (which I affectionately referred to as the “Happy Family Viggen”), a late 80s Cherry Red 900T convertible with NH plate JANET about half a dozen times, a sweet black 9-5 SE V6 with BBS RK-2 rims like I have on my 2003 9-5 Aero, a 2006 20th Anniversary 9-3 Convertible and a 1992ish Nocturne Blue 900S sedan on my way back to the office to write this very post!

As a follow-up to the previous writeup on the past and present Saab designers and their achievements, it was necessary to include a chronological up-to-date listing of Saab projects both production and concepts.

This listing includes each Saab project, year introduced along with each designer and/or engineer that contributed to the given project.

This list is a work-in-progress, so any additions and/or modifications that you see necessary below, please add your comments to ensure correctness and accuracy.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Design Contributions by Model

SAAB Scandia 90 (1946-1958)

Bror Bjurströmer

SAAB 91 (1947-1966)

A.J. Andersson

SAAB 92001 (Prototype) (1946/1947)

Sixten Sason

Gunnar Ljungström

SAAB 92 (1948-1956)

Sixten Sason

Gunnar Ljungström

SAAB 93 (1956-1959)

Sixten Sason

SAAB 94 (1956)

Sixten Sason

SAAB 95 (1959-1978)

Sixten Sason

SAAB 96 (1960-1980)

Sixten Sason

SAAB-SCANIA 97 (SonettII/V4 1966-1969) (SonettIII 1970-1974)

Björn Karlström

Sergio Coggiola

Gunnar A. Sjögren

SAAB-SCANIA 98 (Prototype, Cancelled) (1974)

Björn Envall

SAAB-SCANIA 99 (1969-1984)

Sixten Sason

Björn Envall

Saab 90 (1984-1987)

Björn Envall

SAAB-SCANIA 900 (1979-1993/94)

Björn Envall

SAAB-SCANIA EV-1 (1985)

Björn Envall

Saab 900 (NG) (1994-1998)

Björn Envall

Einar Hareide

SAAB-SCANIA 9000 (1985-1998)

Björn Envall

Giorgetto Giugiaro

Saab 9-1 (Speculative Design)

Saab 9-3 (1999-2002)

Einar Hareide

Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan (2003- )

Einar Hareide

Saab 9-3 Hybrid BioPower Convertible (2006 – )

Kjell ac Bergström

Saab 9-5 (1999- )

Einar Hareide (1999-2001)

Tony Catignani (1999-2001)

Magnus Jonsson (1999-2001)

Simon Padian (2002- )

Tomas Ostlund (2006 – )

Saab 9-5 BioPower E85 (2005 – )

Kjell ac Bergström

Saab 9-5 BioPower E100 (2007 – )

Kjell ac Bergström

Saab 9-X (2001)

Michael Mauer

Anthony Lo

Ola Granlund

Simon Padian

Saab 9-X BioHybrid (2008)

Anthony Lo

Andrew Dyson

Bryan Nesbitt

Saab 9-2X (2005-2006)

Michael Mauer

Anthony Lo

Ola Granlund

Per Jansson

Bengt Persson

Kjell-Ake Eriksson

Saab 9-3X (2002)

Michael Mauer

Anthony Lo

Simon Padian

Saab 9-3 SportHatch (2003)

Michael Mauer

Anthony Lo

Simon Padian

Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept (2008)

Anthony Lo

Andrew Dyson

Bryan Nesbitt

Kaj Zackrisson (Skier)

Saab 9-6X (Cancelled)

Saab 9-7X (2005-2009)

Per Janssan

Aero-X(2006)

Anthony Lo

Alex Daniel

Erik Rokke

Simon Padian

Image Credit: Saab History

As a follow-up to the posting I made back in November of 2006 on the logo history, it is about time that I compliment this information with the following on the correct capitalization and nomenclature of the models of the Saab Automobile brand. I hope this sheds some more light in our dialog about Saabs, SAABs and all of the great products that have been developed over the years.

I have provided a fairly well written piece already done on Wikipedia that I would like to articulate if I may regarding the correct capitalization and model nomenclature as a guide.

It is my hope that as a result of this posting, others will be able to better articulate their writing and speaking when referring to all of Saab’s products from 1947 until present. I also think that this posting will help to end search criteria that is typically entered in Google as follows: (SAAB 93 XWD, SAAB 92 ABS, Saab 94 Ski Rack, 2001 SAAB 95, 1999 93, etc.) If this search criteria was taken literally, as it should as google can only do just that, we would have had Cross Wheel Drive available in the late 1950′s, ABS in the late forties, and two long production runs for the SAAB Ninety Five and Ninety Three. Let’s hope that this clarifies this naming and model nomenclature once and for all.

1947-1969 (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 1947 and 1969, it is proper to use SAAB in all capital letters to refer to these vehicles.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and pronounced as 92 (Pronounced: Ninety Two), 92 (Pronounced: Ninety Three), 94 (Pronounced: Ninety Four), 95 (Pronounced: Ninety Five), 96 (Pronounced: Ninety Six), 97 (Pronounced: Ninety Seven)

1970-2000 (Saab-Scania)

* Note: Although the merger took place in 1990, the original products continued. (excluding NG900, 9-3 & 9-5)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 1970 and 1990, it is proper & acceptable to refer to them as Saabs in lower case letters or Saab-Scania vehicles, also in lower case letters.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and produced as 97 (Pronounced: Ninety Seven), 98 (Pronounced: Ninety Eight), 99 (Pronounced: Ninety Nine), 90 (Pronounced: Ninety), 900 (Pronounced: Nine Hundred), 9000 (Pronounced: Nine Thousand), 9-5 (Pronounced: Nine Five), NG900 (Pronounced: New Generation 900), 9-3 (Pronounced: Nine Three).

2001 – Present (Saab Automobile / General Motors)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 2001 and the Present, it is proper & acceptable to refer to them as Saab in lower case letters and/or Saab Automobile / GM vehicles.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and produced as 9-X (Pronounced: Nine X), 9-2x (Pronounced: Nine Two X), 9-3x (Pronounced: Nine Three X), 9-3 (Pronounced: Nine Three), 9-4x (Pronounced: Nine Four X), 9-5 (Pronounced: Nine Five), 9-7x (Pronounced: Nine Seven X)

I leave you with a brief summary from Saab Automobile’s entry from Wikipedia.

Saab / SAAB Correct Capitalization and Model Nomenclature:

While Saab is in fact an acronym, and, as with many other manufacturers, the word “SAAB” appears in all-capitals within the corporate emblem and in on-vehicle badging, the current correct capitalization of Saab when in print is “Saab,” and not “SAAB.”[citation needed] Other manufacturers such as Volvo, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, and Chevrolet employ the use of all-capitalized vehicle badging, but they are still considered proper names and capitalized as such when written. Likewise, Saab is treated as a proper name and not an acronym, despite its origins..”[citation needed]

Furthermore, all current Saab vehicles are badged with a large 9 and a smaller 3, 5, or 7x following the 9, such as “9³”. However, the digits are considered separate, and are spoken as, for example, “nine three,” and written as “9-3.” Nearly every Saab model ever produced has begun with the number 9 (Saab 600 being an exception), and Saab’s two models became 9-3 and 9-5 in the late 1990s, which was likely a marketing attempt at positioning the vehicles as direct competitors to the BMW 3-series and 5-series, respectively.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Automobile

Photo Credit: GM Heritage Center

This 1964 SAAB 95 has been made part of the Saab USA Heritage Collection.

As of now, Saab History only has the following information thanks to Chip Lamb.

“64 95, restored by CAS in early-mid 2007. Formerly owned by Larry Williams and Marty Adams.’

In time, hopefully more information will be forthcoming.

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 Credits: Saab History

In August of 2005, the Saab Owners Convention took place in Stratton, Vermont from August 11th until the 14th. During the event there were vintage SAAB rides available for all participants. The owners of these vintage SAABs were very kind in offering up rides almost non-stop during the one of the days of the convention. I can recall being driven at high speed in a nice silver Sonett II. Quite exciting and nostalgic at the same time.

I hear that there is a chance that these vintage rides may also be available this year at the Saab Owners Convention in Troy, Michigan as well.

Saab Enthusiast Thor Carlson managed to put together a nice video mix complete with the classic Swedish band, ABBA, that best captures this fun experience.

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

Here is the 40-page official convention booklet below, just click on the button to download.

In an effort to uncover more information about the SAAB dealership known as SAAB Cape Cod, an individual in the West Barnstable area of Cape Cod, Massacchusetts has recently provided some wonderful present day photographs for us to enjoy.

I also understand that some vintage photography will be coming our way shortly, so please check back often.

Thank you Mark for your investigative photo journalism.

What: SAAB Cape Cod

Who: Kurt Vonnegut, Sales Manager

When: 1957 – 1961

Where: Route 6A- Main Street- in West Barnstable, Massachusetts (USA) near the intersection with Parker Street (and Plum Street).

Photo Credit: Mark

Photo Credit: Mark

Photo Credit: Mark

Photo Credit: Mark

Image Credit: Google Earth

I am currently looking for the years he ran SAAB Cape Cod along with any photographs of that dealership.

Update: With a few quick calls to Hyannis Saab and the local West Barnstable Library, both in Cape Cod, Massacchusetts, I have heard that no one was familiar with a dealership in that area at that time. If someone could shed some more light on this, I would appreciate it.

Millet, a graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology founded SAAB Motors, Inc. in 1956 in New York City. Mr. Millet’s first import into the United States was the SAAB model 93 and it first debuted at the New York Auto Show with the Sonett “Super Sport” (94). A year after the 93 was introduced, it was showcased at the Great American Mountain Rallye in Northern New England in 1957.

The SAAB 93 hauled off ships from Gothenburg, Sweden into the port of Hingham, Massachusetts (near the old location of the Shaw Saab dealership). As a result of Mr. Millet’s work and diligence, SAAB Motors grew and eventually moved to New Haven, Connecticut in 1961. In the the 1970′s the heavy harbour traffic in New Haven’s ports rerouted automobile transport boats to full operating ports across the United States and as a result, SAAB Motors, Inc. moved to Orange, Connecticut in 1972. During this time, Ralph Millet retired SAAB Motor’s Inc. became SAAB-SCANIA of America, Inc. Following retirement, Mr. Millet served on the Board of Directors of Saab-Scania of America from 1979 until 1987. While serving on the Board, he also became an industry relations export on government related issues in Washington, D.C.

Ralph T. Millet continued his support of the Saab community by his participation in numerous Saab Owners Conventions and other events. Mr. Millet passed on December 20th, 2002 in Middletown, Connecticut and I have provided you his obit written by longtime friend and colleague, Lennart Lonnegren.

Ralph T. Millet, 85, of Old Saybrook, CT., the man who brought the Swedish Saab cars into the United States, and was president of the Saab importing company, and who became a highly respected spokesman for the imported car business in the United States, as President and Chairman of the Automobile Importers of America, a group representing most of the companies importing automobiles to the United States, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, CT.

When the Saab automobile was first introduced into this country in 1956, it was a quite different automobile from those generally sold here. The car’s origin and the management of its importing company, were also somewhat different than what is common in the US auto business.

The first Saab cars were powered by an unorthodox two-cycle engine that required the addition of oil to the gasoline every time the fuel tank was filled; and in difference to most other cars the engine propelled the front wheels, instead of the rear wheels, As to its origin: it was manufactured by a company called Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (abbreviated Saab), that had previously been solely engaged in the manufacture of military aircraft.

Heading the US operation was not exactly your usual “car guy” but an aircraft expert. Ralph Turner Millet had had no previous experience in the automotive field, but would eventually become the representative for almost all of this country’s automobile importers, and steer his adopted company and its unorthodox product through more than 15 years of business ups and downs.

Ralph T. Millet, as a matter of fact, saw the little Saab car become something of a cult car, as well as one of the leaders in the field of automotive safety, before he relinquished his position as head of the importing company, to become a consultant to the company, and its spokesman in safety and environmental matters.

As Mr. Millet recalled it, the actual origin of the entry of the Saab into the US auto market, came at a dinner in Minneapolis, Minn., where the head of Saab, after a meeting with aircraft component suppliers, turned to Mr. Millet, at the time, a purchasing agent for Saab, and said that since Americans were buying Volkswagens, maybe they would also buy Saabs. Mr. Millet said that he seriously doubted the viability of selling a car with a two-cycle engine in the US, but the next day, back in New York, the Saab president persisted.

“He told me to reserve some space at the next New York Auto Show. He would send some cars over, and we would see what reaction they got. Then we would decide about selling the cars.”

A few months later four Saab 93 sedans and a prototype sports car arrived in New York, just in time for the 1956 New York International Auto Show. At the show itself, the reaction of both public and press was quite positive, and several auto dealers expressed their interest in representing the new Swedish make. One even bought a car for resale. Ralph T. Millet was about to change careers, from a specialist in procurement for the aircraft industry, to the job as head of the country’s newest imported car company.

That dinner meeting in Minneapolis was not really Ralph T. Millet’s first encounter with the Saab cars. Born in Boston on August 21,1917, Mr. Millet was educated at the Boston Latin School and received a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1940, just in time to join the US Army Air Corps, where he reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war he started a firm handling procurements for different corporations, one of them Swedish Saab. During his first visit to Sweden, in 1946, he heard of the company’s plans for a small car, and one of his earlier assignments for Saab involved the purchase of body presses for the new car. In 1948, he recalled, an early prototype car was sent to the US, and Mr. Millet had some discussions with the Willys Overland company about building the car. One early problem for Saab, however, was the shortage of suitable steel for the car bodies, It wasn’t until 1950 that the first Saab car was built sold, and not much was thought of exporting it until production reached adequate levels.

But after the 1956 New York Auto Show, Saab Motors Inc. was ready for business. The fist shipment of cars for sale to dealers arrived just before Christmas 1956 at the port of Hingham, Mass., where Saab had established a warehouse and make-ready facility. Fifteen dealers were signed the first year, and sales reached all of 2,200 units in 1958. “We made money in 1959,” recalled Mr. Millet, “but the next year the bottom fell out, when Detroit’s big three introduced their own small cars.”

In 1961 Saab Motors moved all of its operations to New Haven, Conn., leaving only a small aviation purchasing office – the operations Mr. Millet had originally started – in New York City.

The safety reputation of the Saab car has helped sell Saabs throughout the years, as the cars have gradually evolved, first by replacing the original two-stroke engine with a more acceptable four-stroke, and later with newer and larger model cars. Today the company, now Saab Cars USA Inc., and owned by General Motors, sells two distinct lines of cars, the 9-5 and the 9-3.

Safety has always been a major feature in Saab’s marketing efforts, and is something that has been the subject of Mr. Millet’s interest for many years. When the government stepped into the field of auto safety in the late 1960’s, Mr. Millet was one of the first representatives of the auto industry to be appointed to the new Highway Traffic Safety Advisory Council of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. At about the same time, the first trade organization for the imported car industry was founded and Mr. Millet, after originally just representing Saab, eventually became president and chairman of the Automobile Importers of America. As spokesman for the imported auto industry, Mr. Millet was for many years a frequent testifier before congressional and other legislative bodies on matters relating to imported cars, remaining the Saab representative with the trade group, today called the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, until quite recently.

In 1982 Mr. Millet was named to the Board of Directors of the successor company to Saab Motors Inc., Saab-Scania of America, Inc., which by then was involved not just in Saab automobiles, but also built and marketed Scania trucks and buses. Mr. Millet was heavily involved in establishing the Scania business in the US, initially in assessing the market possibilities for the Scania products, and later in helping set up marketing and manufacturing operations in the US. During the 1980’s, Scania operated a complete assembly operation in Orange, Conn. making city busses for a number of different US municipalities.

Always interested in Saab doings even after his retirement, Mr. Millet has been a frequent visitor at Saab dealer functions, as well as at Saab owner conventions, both in this country and overseas. Most recently he and his wife, Gunlog, attended the dealer preview of the all-new Saab 9-3 cars in Sweden this past summer, and the August Saab owner convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.

An active churchman, Mr. Millet was a life-long Episcopalian, and was Senior Warden Emeritus, as well as treasurer of the Grace Memorial Church in Old Saybrook, CT.

Ralph T. Millet resided in Old Saybrook Connecticut. Besides his wife, he leaves four children, Francis N. Millet of Clinton, CT; Charles G. Millet, of Dedham, Mass.; Mrs. Ronald Bearse of Alexandria, VA; and Miss Kristine R. Millet, of Dedham, Mass. He was predeceased by another son, Ralph Millet, Jr., and by his first wife, Elsie Johnston, who died in 1959.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, December 26, 2002, at 11 a.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church, 338 Main Street., Old Saybrook, CT. Contributions in the memory of Ralph T. Millet may be given to the Grace Church Memorial Fund, care of Grace Episcopal Church, 338 Main Street., Old Saybrook, CT 06475.

Some of the first work that Sixten Sason was responsible for included the drawing of airplanes and other material during the Second World War while employed at SAAB. When the War was coming to an end, the company began shifting their strategies with the addition of automobile manufacturing. During this time of transition for the company, Sixten Sason was asked to contribute to the “Project 92″, that was introduced in 1947 as the first prototype for SAAB, the automobile manufacturer. This Prototype was known officially as the 92001 and later production model “92″ ,were inspired by the SAAB J21 plane. Sixten Sason contributed to a number of projects over the years including the 93, 94, 95, 96 and finally the 99 in 1967 until he passed away later that year.

The Saab 99 model went onto become a classic which saw the introduction to a number of industry leading technologies and design features including the wrap-around windshield, disc brakes, heated seats, introduction of the turbocharger and the first installment of the hatchback feature.

Sixten Sason is historically referred to as Saab Automobile’s first designer and had a major impact with his career at SAAB by the design elements that he first implemented that have now become key to Saab’s uniqueness in an increasingly complex and fast-paced industry.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

As a follow-up to the previous posting on Saab’s drag coefficients as early as 1947 with the Saab model 92, I have decided to provide information that covers the approaches that Saab has integrated to also successfully minimize lift.

This list is to provide additional lift-minimizing elements “outside of” the actual body design of the Saab models that I mentioned earlier on aerodynamics and drag coefficients.

If you have any additions, please post your comments to this post along with your e-mail address if you have photographs and any other relevant information.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Saab 92 (1947-1956) –

Saab 93 (1956-1959) –

Saab 94 (1956 Sonett I) -

Saab 95 (1959-1978)
*Rear Roof spoiler

Saab 96 (1960-1980)
* spoiler added what year and were there variations successful or not?
* Front air dam

Saab 97(SonettII/V4 1966-1969) (SonettIII 1970-1974) –

Saab 99 (1969-1984)
* Rear spoilers for coupe and sedan respectively.

* Front Air Dam

Saab 900 (1979-1993/94)
* Rear Rubber Spoiler for Hatch, Sedan & Convertible models respectively.

* Rear Rubber tipped fiberglass Whale-Tail Spoiler for hatch models.

* Air-Flow Kit

* Front lower air dam

Saab 9000CC (1985-1992)
* Full wrap-around rear rubber spoiler 1985 only

* Standard rear-deck rubber spoiler

* Fiberglass Bridge Spoiler

* Front Spoiler

* Air Flow Kit


Saab 9000CD (1988-1993)
* Air Flow Kit

* Fiberglass spoiler

Saab 9000CS (1993-1998)
* Fiberglass Standard spoiler

* Fiberglass Bridge spoiler

Saab NG 900 (1994-1998)
* Rear Rubber Spoiler

* Rear Fiberglass spoiler with rubber tip

* Rubber Spoiler (Convertible)

* Front Spoiler

Saab 9-3 (1999-2002)
*Rear Spoiler

* Rear Fiberglass pedestal Spoiler
*Rising Spoiler (Viggen only)

Saab 9-3 Convertible (1999 – 2003, 2004- )
* Rear Spoiler

Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan (2003 -
*Rear Spoiler

*Rear Aero Spoiler

Saab 9-3 SportCombi (2005 -
* Rear Roof Spoiler

Saab 9-5 (1999 –
* Front Lip Spoiler

* Rear Bridge Spoiler

* Rear Pedestal Spoiler

Saab 9-5 SportCombi (2000-
* Rear Roof Spoiler

Saab 9-2x (2005-2006)

Saab 9-7x (2005 -

The 1967 Saab Accesories Catalog is now available online. There are some extremely unique accessories that were available in this year, such as custom “SAAB” seat covers, “SAAB” wing floor mats to “SAAB” brand wax.

There are also SAAB Rally Accessories for your 96, as well as custom car covers and shades for your 96 and 95 Wagon. The 28 pages of this catalog are quite detailed and thorough for the time. I urge you to download an electronic copy for yourself here on our Catalogs page.

Once you have downloaded a copy, please add your kind comments below so that others know about what you think.

The video is approximately 16 minutes long, enjoy!

Saab Automobile product range: Safe, versatile, practical, unique and progressive.
IKEA product range — Modern, functional, attractive, and progressive.

- Different companies, similiar product philosophies

Here is a photo that was recently provided to me of a Saab 99 that at the time, was the choice Saab model for those trips to IKEA. I was wondering how many of you have made it to IKEA in your Saab and have found that the plat-packed design of many IKEA goods works well with the utility and practicality of the Saab Automobile.

In the discussions I have had, I have heard from people that the 9000 was the best, and I have also heard that the 900 convertible was the best because the top goes down and the sky is the limit. Is there a “best” Saab model for such an arrangement?

In an effort to get your responses, I have provided a poll below for you to choose what Saab model in your opinion, is most suited at being the “best” Saab for an IKEA trip. I look forward to your poll results.

Update: Incredible voter turnout today! I have closed the poll at 150, It looks as though the Saab 9-5 SportCombi is the winner! I will post more on this in the coming days.

The Saab Palette continues to expand into new colors along with the growth of the brand.

When one thinks back to some of the colors that stood out over the rest, do you think of Monte Carlo Yellow with the 1992 900 Convertible or Odoardo Grey with the SPG or is it Watermelon Green being used as the color by default with the SAAB 92?

I have developed with the help of my peers, a series of charts representing the paint names and codes used for every Saab model that has ever existed (minus concept cars) The objective of this project is accuracy, completeness and clarity.

Finally, a comprehensive color palette listing that includes the names, codes as well as real-life examples of what these colors look like on the year and models they were used on.

It seemed appropriate to finally release this project in-lieu of being complete so that the public can get a chance to see it and hopefully contribute to the project with additions, modifications and real-life photos of their Saab for those examples of the colors in application.

Please take a look at the new Color Palette section on the right-hand column and contact us with your contribution to the list, enjoy!

The previous posting covered all 4-cylinder Saabs, but it was mentioned to me that I had left out the Two-Strokers. Well, I don’t have an oil filter source at this time, but I am sure one exists. I would like to ask however, how many of you used the SAAB two-stroke oil in your two-stroke SAAB engine?

Here is an excerpt from the book The Spirit of Saab.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this book for your own reference, please click on the link image of the book below.

This rare book is a classic and a must have for any Saab Enthusiast.

Source: Bleeker, Rolf, The Spirit of Saab Ariston Verlag, Geneva, Switzerland 1993

Excellent job on this site, especially with the integration of the historical videos. I hope we can see this site up for a long time to come.

http://www.saab.com/microsites/60years/GLOBAL/en/index2.shtml

The original of SAAB using the numerical nomenclature 9, is that this number was an indication that the project was a non-military, but a civilian project.

The SAAB Scandia 90 (pictured above) was the first civilian project, followed by the SAAB Safir 91, then finally the automobile being SAAB 92001 in 1946, and the beginning of production models with the SAAB 92. Here is a list of all of the the projects from the beginning until the present.

For more information about these models, please visit our “Saab designs by model number” reference list.

90 SCANDIA
91 Safir (Aircraft)
92001
92
93
94 Sonett I
95
96
97 Sonett II & III
98 Prototype
99
90
900
9000
9-5
9-3
9-X
9-2X
9-3X
9-4X
9-6X (cancelled)
9-7X

The Saab Film Project is an effort within Saabhistory.com to assist in the preserving and transferring of any films old and new to digital format for the record. Over the past few years, a number of films have been donated to Saabhistory and with that, these films with the help of donations from Saab Enthusiasts worldwide, have contributed to the successfull professional processing of such films from analog to digital format.

It is expected that as more films surface and various phases continue to be built upon, this project will continue to serve as a platform in this film conversion process and thus will be permanently designated as a “work in progress”.

Update: 11.7.2007 As of now, the first phase of the Saab Film Project has been completed, as well as the second.

Phase 1: Completed

Phase 2: Completed

Phase 3: Completed

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Saab Film Project Phase 3: Completed

As part of the third phase of this project, I have located a 1974 Saab 99 tv ad from the U.K., and withlocated a 1974 Saab ad“> your donations, I have been able to get it up on the web for us all to enjoy!

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Saab Film Project Phase 2: Completed

As part of the second phase of the Saab Film Project this year, I have located two films. These two films came from a company called Cramer Productions and I have recently been in touch with them and they have been able to provide two films they produced. Those films are the 1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon “Meet the Mortons” Promo and the 2000 Saab Master Technician Challenge.

I have grouped these films into the second phase of the Saab Film Project that began last fall.

1) The Saab Master Technician Challenge at the 1999 Saab Owners Convention in Keystone, Colorado (Note: This film is was professionally produced as is not part of the home made film in our archive) There are apparently Saab notable personalities in this film such as Jay Flagg, Randy Risley and more that have worked in Saab’s technical training department for years as well.

For a number of years, Saab Cars USA. Inc. has had held annual Saab Master Technician Challenges for top master service technicians from around the United States to put their diagnostic and mechnical skills to the ultimate test where they compete with others for awards and prizes. I also understand these challenges have taken place in other countries as well and the top 4 candidates from each country, meet in Sweden for the ultimate technician challenge consisting of the “best of the best” for global awards on technical skills and abilities.

What: Saab Master Technician Challenge @ 1999 Saab Owners Convention
When: August 11th, 1999
Where: Keystone, Colorado

2) Saab 9-5 “Meet the Mortons” Promo 1999

This promotional film showcases all of the features of the new Saab 9-5 Wagon new for model year 1999.

Donations:

Thank you to Cramer Productions as well as Saab Enthusiasts Heather O’Connor & Paul Burger for donating to this second phase of the Saab Film Project here on Saabhistory. If it wasn’t for your kind contributions, these two films would not be available for others to enjoy.

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Saab Film Project Phase 1: Completed

There was generous donation to the Saab History project by a well respected and known individual this fall. Since this project, I have turned the idea of converting these films into an ongoing project accepting new films that may be of a non-standard format other than VHS or DVD such as 16mm or Betacam, etc. that need to be converted to ultimately be added to the Saab Video archive on this site for generations to enjoy.

Of the initial 8 films that were donated, there were 8, all of them are in 16mm format except for one that is 8mm format. This means that that they due to this non-standard format, they will need to be converted. There is a cost associated to convert these films as Saabhistory is not equipped with this type of equipment, only for VHS or DVD presently.

There was a campaign that started in order to receive donations in order to get these films converted to digital format that was shown on the left-hand column of this website prior to meeting the financial objective. Now that the first phase has been completed that graph has been temporarily disabled.

Thank you for the memorable donations for making these films available to the Saab community all of you, thank you.

Swedish Amazing Automobile – 1979 * Converted

Donations:

John at Elkparts.com
Anders Jenson of SaabStickers.com
Carl Levine of Granite Embedded Systems, maker of the Saab AudioTroll
Lester Ewing, President of the Saab Club of North America

Saab 9000 Introduction * Converted

Donations:

Aaron C. Gilbert at aaroncgilbert.com in Washington State, United States
Andy Ponnaz of Swisslodge in Bankok, Thailand
Anders Jenson of SaabStickers.com in Sweden
Carl Levine of Granite Embedded Systems, maker of the Saab AudioTroll in Greenland, New Hampshire.

Saab-Scania History - * Converted

Donations:

Anonymous

Saab-Scania Promo 22min & 22sec – * Converted

Donations:

The members and organizers of the Rocky Mountain Saab Club in Colorado

Swedish Amazing Automobile

Saab 9000 Introduction

Saab-Scania History

Saab-Scania Promo

Here is a list of the Saab models as well as the quantities that were produced Uusikaupunki from 1969-2003.

Saab 95 1969 – 1975 2,833
Saab 96 1969 – 1980 65,887
Saab 99 1969 – 1984 191,049
Saab 90 1983 – 1987 25,380
Saab 9000 1986 – 1990 8,267
Saab 900 1978 – 1992 238,898
Saab 900 / 9-3 Convertible 1986 – 2003
198,032 Saab 9-3 3D and 5D 1999 – 2003 7,789

Saab total 1969 – 2003 738,135

Figures from valmet-automotive.com

The word on the street has been that the Saab models produced in Finland had some of the highest build qualities in the world.

For more information, please visit Valmet’s website http://www.valmet-automotive.com/ as well as Finnish Saab Enthusiast Jouko’s website here http://www.netma.fi/jouko/saab/albumbottom.html

Please also don’t forget to take a look at the Saab Museum at Uusikaupunki, Finland as well.

Here are photographs of the Saab models built at the Valmet plant.

Saab 95

Saab 96

Saab 99

Saab 90

Saab 900

Saab 900 Convertible

Saab 9000

Saab 9-3

Vagn Bruncke’s museum ranges from SAAB’s from 1952 until 1973. I have included his listing of SAAB models and did the best I could to translate the Danish to English.

His fleet is quite impressive! For more information please visit http://www.vagnssaabmuseum.dk/

Nordborgvej 56 Svenstrup. Als.
6430 Nordborg. Denmark.

View Larger Map

The SAAB fleet in Denmark!	Model: SAAB 92A Year: 1952 Serial Number: 3454 Color: Green Kilometer reading: 425.000 km = 283.333 miles Condition: Den ældste SAAB i Danmark
Model: SAAB 92B Year: 1954 Serial Number: 10805 Color: Blue Kilometer reading: 202000 km = 126250 miles Condition: 100% Original og aldrig renoveret.	100% Original!
SAAB 92B	Model: SAAB 92B Year: 1955 Serial Number: 16047 Color: Sort Kilometer reading: 201.000 km = 125.625 miles Condition: Nyrenoveret
Model: SAAB 93B Year: 1959 Serial Number: 61501 Color: Blue Kilometer reading: 105.000 km = 65.625 miles Condition: Nyrenoveret	SAAB 93B
SAAB 96 Sport/Tävling gr. 2	Model: SAAB 96 Year: 1962 Serial Number: 116020 Color: Yellow Kilometer reading: 108.000 km = 67.500 miles Condition: Nyrenoveret til rallybrug efter det klassiske reglement i Danmark. Deltager i 2. Historiske Rally ved Århus 24.-25. sept.1999 HK ikke oplyst, gearing 7:36 special 2.
Model: SAAB 95 Year: 1963 Serial Number: 8579 Color: Red Kilometer reading : 398000 km = 248750 miles Condition: Plads til 7 personer!	SAAB 95
SAAB 96 Sport	Model: SAAB 96 Sport Year: 1964 Serial Number: 221382 Color: White Kilometer reading: 124.000 km = 77.500 miles Condition: 55 HK!
Model: SAAB 96 Sport Year: 1965 Serial Number: 324053 Color: Rød Kilometer reading: 152.000 km = 95.000 miles Condition: 57 HK!	SAAB 96 Sport
SAAB 97 Sonett II – totakt	Model: SAAB 97 Sonett II (totakt) Year: 1967 Serial Number: 132 Color: Silver Kilometer reading: 8500 km = 5312.5 miles Med i "The Northern Light Challenge 1997"
Model: SAAB Sonett II (V4) Year: 1969 Serial Number: 1736 Color: Red Kilometer reading : 102.000 km = 63.750 miles Condition: Minilite-fælge	SAAB Sonett II
SAAB 99 L	Model: SAAB 99 L Year: 1969 Serial Number: 99010686 Color: Red Kilometer reading : 102000 km = 63750 miles Condition: 100% original!
Model: SAAB 99 L Year: 1970 Serial Number: 99042759 Color: Beige Kilometer reading : 118.000 km = 73.750  miles PÃ¥ billedet ses museumsejer Vagn Bruncke	SAAB 99 L
SAAB 97 Sonett III	Model: SAAB 97 Sonett III Year: 1973 Serial Number: 97735001452 Color: Red Kilometer reading : 145.600 km = 91.000 miles Condition: Air condition
Model: SAABO Year: 1967 Serial Number: 417 Color: Red Condition: Under renovering	SAABO