SAAB (Sweden) 1949 to date

In 1945 the Svenska Aeroplan AB, of Linköping, decided to go into car production; noted for their advanced aircraft design, they employed much of that technique on the car they built.

It had unitary construction, an aerodynamic body, and the engine was a transversely mounted two-stroke twin of 764cc with a marked resemblance to the pre-war DKW unit. The car was front-wheel driven and had all-independent suspension.

Initially, only a two-door saloon was offered. Cars were shown in 1947, but production started in late 1949. The model name was Saab 92, changed to 92B in 1952 when small body changes were made. The Saab 93 of 1955 had a three-cylinder 748cc engine and coil-spring suspension. Sports models, called Granturismo 750, were also built, mainly for export. The 1959 Saab 95 was a station wagon with an 841cc engine, also used in the 1960 Saab 96 with redesigned rear-end. There were also several sports versions.

Saab had many rally successes, among them Monte Carlo Rally wins in 1962 and 1963 and the RAC Rally 1960-1962. In 1966 a small glass-fibre GT coupé, the Sonett II, was launched. The 1967 Model 96 had the German Ford V-4, but the two-stroke engine was still available: the 96 was still being produced in Finland at the end of the 1970s.

In 1969 the all-new Saab 99 started production: The engine was a Triumph-designed 1.7-litre ohc four, later enlarged to 2 litres; in 1972 full production of the engine started in Saab's Södertälje plant. Later versions were the 110 bhp fuel-injected EMS and the 140bhp Turbo of 1977. The 900 has been available from 1978; it is a long-nosed version of the 99, with mechanical refinements.

1959 Saab 93 F Coupe

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