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1952 SAAB 92
Often described as an airplane without wings, the 92 (earlier model designations belonged to Saab aircraft) was created in the aftermath of WWII as a rugged, low-cost and practical car to safely conquer the rough Scandinavian roads of the time.
Lead by Gunnar Ljungström, the original 92 was developed by a team of 16 Saab aircraft engineers – only two of whom, according to the legend, had a driver’s license. Responsible for the exterior design was Sixten Sason, a freelance industrial designer who also gathered fame with his contributions to Hasselblad cameras.
Reflecting its aircraft heritage, the Saab 92 used a monocoque one-piece body/frame structure, yielding light weight as well as great strength. Its front-wheel drive not only delivered good traction on snow, but also a flat floor and an amazingly roomy interior – given the compact exterior dimensions.
For the first couple of years, Saab offered the 92 only in green paint, said to be left over from army supplies. The four-passenger car was powered by a two-cylinder, two-stroke engine with an output of 25 horsepower. It had a three-speed manual transmission with the shifter mounted on the steering column, saving interior space.
Produced from 1949 to 1956, the 92 exemplifies Saab’s zest for innovation and design that have become known around the world as the key characteristics of the Swedish brand.
Because Saab did not officially start its automotive business in the United States until 1956, it is fortunate to have this 1952 model 92 (serial number 1837) as the “arch father” of its Sterling Heights, Mich.-based Heritage Collection.
1956 SAAB SONETT “SUPER SPORT”
The name sounds like a song. But in fact, the Saab Sonett two-seater was originally named after the Swedish expression “så nätt,” meaning “so neat.”
The Saab Sonett “Super Sport” was first unveiled at the 1956 Stockholm Auto Show. It made its North American debut later that year in New York, where it captured the public attention Saab needed to kick off its automotive business in the United States.
Using contemporary Saab aircraft practices, the Sonett chassis was formed by a riveted aluminum box carrying a fiberglass roadster body. Utilizing the high-performance (58-hp) version of the three-cylinder 750cc two-stroke engine found in the Saab model 93, chief engineer Rolf Mellde “reversed” the drivetrain for optimum weight distribution – putting the engine behind the transmission while maintaining front-wheel drive. The engine rotates in the opposite direction from the production Saabs of the era to accommodate this reverse transmission layout.
Originally designed to compete in a racing series that eventually never materialized, Saab built only six first-generation Sonett “Super Sport” roadsters – which all exist today. Saab rally legend Erik Carlsson participated in the 1989 Mille Miglia road race through Italy with the white Sonett that resides in Saab’s factory automotive museum in Trollhättan, Sweden.
The Sonett with chassis No. 2, finished in a period orange, was originally part of the private collection of the Swedish Saab distributor Philipsson. When the collection was dismantled in the mid-1980s, the car was acquired for the Saab USA heritage collection by then-president Bob Sinclair. The two met again at the 2006 New York auto show, where the Sonett I was the commemorative centerpiece of Saab’s 50th anniversary in the United States.
1960 SAAB 93F GT 750
At the New York Automobile Show in April 1958, Saab debuted the 93 “GranTurismo” 750. Surrounded by an impressive collection of rally trophies and plaques, it took obvious cues from the increasingly successful competition cars.
As an early precursor of today’s Saabs, the GT 750 was not just sporty, but also impressively luxurious. The exterior featured extra headlamps, chrome-plated hubcaps, bright side moldings and smart, “GranTurismo” emblems.
The interior was beautifully detailed. The dashboard included chrome-surrounded black dials, and in front of the passenger was a Halda Speed Pilot rally instrument. The classic steering wheel had three aluminum spokes and a wooden rim. The driver seat could be finely adjusted for an optimum position, and the passenger seat, which included a headrest, could be tilted all the way back.
Thanks to twin carburetors, the 45-horsepower engine had an increase of 12 horsepower over the standard Saab 93 – which could be dialed up even further by using a special tuning kit. The three-cylinder, 748-cc two-stroke engine required that one quart of oil be added to the gas tank along with seven to eight gallons of gasoline.
Approximately 605 Saab 93 GT 750s were built from 1958-1960, with 546 delivered to the US. The 93 “F” in the Saab Automobile USA Heritage Collection is one of the final series, recognizable by its front-hinged doors. They were new for 1960, preceding the arrival of the thoroughly modernized Saab 96.
1960 SAAB 96 RAC RALLY CAR
Immediately recognizable by its entirely new back end, including large, three-quarter side windows and a panoramic rear windshield, the Saab 96 was introduced in 1960 as an evolution of the model 93. It stayed true to its front-wheel-drive layout and two-stroke, three-cylinder engine.
The Saab 96 immediately became an international success in road rallies, beating many higher-powered cars with its lightweight agility and poor-weather capability. The 96 grabbed one of its first overall victories in the prestigious 1960 Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Rally in Great Britain, driven by Erik “On the Roof” Carlsson.
Saab went on to win the RAC Rally three more times. It also took top honors in the famous Monte Carlo rally in 1962 and 1963, before established giants such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Ford. The Sport model of the Saab 96 was named “Monte Carlo” in 1965-1968, in honor of this accomplishment.
Thanks to its timeless design and rugged reputation that was largely forged in rally competition, the Saab 96 developed an extraordinary long-legged career. Joined in 1959 by an innovative three-door, three-row station wagon called Saab 95, the series soldiered on until 1980 – a lifespan of almost 33 years since the public debut of the 92 prototype.
The 1960 RAC Rally-winning Saab 96 was restored in the early 1990s by an American collector. It was driven nearly 30,000 additional miles before being acquired by Saab USA, and added to the Heritage Collection.
1966 SAAB QUANTUM IV
Five distinct versions of Saab-based Quantum vehicles were built. With chassis designed by IBM engineer Walter Kern, each version used water-cooled two-stroke Saab engines. The first three versions were two-seat sports cars; the fourth, a single-seat, open-wheeled race car, sold as a kit.
The goal of the Quantum IV kit car was to create an affordable, fast, one-design class of open-wheel racing that would take advantage of the lightweight and prodigious power output of the Saab two-stroke engines.
In the Quantum IV, the Saab three-cylinder delivers an estimated 70 horsepower as fitted with three Solex carburetors. It has a four-speed manual transmission, and the Quantum is one of the very few Saabs known with rear-wheel drive.
While specific build data is available for the other Quantum cars, there is no hard data for version IV, since the chassis was sold as a kit to would-be racers.
1967 SONETT II TWO-STROKE
Beginning in 1967, the Sonett II represented Saab’s second – and much more ambitious – foray into the world of two-seat sports cars. Aimed primarily at the North American market, the sporting intentions of this agile coupe were obvious. The race-winning Model 96 Monte Carlo two-stroke engine, fitted with three carburetors, was standard equipment.
The fiberglass body was attached to a sheet steel frame featuring an integrated roll bar. An unusual, one-piece front end hinged completely out of the way for easy access to the engine, transmission and front suspension components.
Capable of 0-60 mph (100 km/h) acceleration times of 12.5 seconds and a top speed approaching 100 mph (160 km/h), only 258 Sonett IIs with the “Monte Carlo” 60-horsepower two-stroke engine were built during the two years of production. One of these, restored by the Saab Club of New England and finished in silver metallic, has been a longtime member of the Saab Automobile USA Heritage Collection.
A subsequent, more powerful, V-4, four-stroke version of the Sonett II, distinguished by a bulge on the hood to accommodate the taller engine, brought more horsepower, more speed and a total of 1,868 cars built over the next three years.
1970 SAAB 99
The Saab 99 debuted in 1967, the same year that Sweden changed from driving on the left to the right side of the road. The 99 was a step up from the successful 92-96 series, and only the second totally new passenger car from Saab since it entered the automotive business.
Designer Sixten Sason created a larger and more comfortable vehicle package, including room for a four-cylinder/four-stroke engine – a significant departure from anything Saab had built to date.
The new powertrain layout was unusual, as well. The longitudinally mounted engine was put on top of the four-speed manual transmission with the clutch assembly toward the front and tilted 45 degrees to achieve a low hood height, offering the driver and passenger exceptional visibility of the road. The low hood, hinged at the front, lifted away from the panoramic windshield, opening wide to offer exceptional access to the engine bay.
The entire design of the Saab 99 resulted in a highly original, modern and extremely efficient aerodynamic shape. The combination with the new engine, front-wheel drive and broad-shouldered stance helped the 99 earn an enviable reputation for precision handling. Saab’s knack for aircraft-inspired safety features was reflected in the position of the ignition key: between the front seats, a first in the 99, which would become a Saab hallmark for decades to come.
Like its predecessor, the sturdy and economical 99 proved to be another Saab long-distance runner. The car remained in production in a variety of body styles until 1987, and was further developed to provide the foundation for the Saab 900, introduced in 1978.
The 1970 model 99 in the Saab Automobile USA Heritage Collection was acquired in 2005.
1970 SAAB SONETT III
Launched at the 1970 New York Auto Show, the third-generation Saab Sonett was a significantly different car from its predecessor. The V-4 engine was tuned to deliver 68 horsepower, compensating for the increases in size and weight of the new car.
In terms of styling, the Sonett III benefited from contributions by the Italian designer Sergio Coggiola, featuring bolder front and rear sections plus a new interior. In the back, the Sonett III gained a hinged rear window, offering easy access to the rear luggage compartment.
In front, the new treatment included manually operated pop-up headlights. In addition, features such as air conditioning and a floor-mounted transmission shifter were added to meet the requests of American dealers and customers.
1974 was the last model year for the Saab Sonett, bringing the production total to 10,236 cars. The final Sonett to leave the factory in Arlöv, Sweden was bright yellow. It resides in the Saab Automobile factory museum in Trollhättan near Gothenburg, on the Swedish West Coast.
The blue 1970 Sonett III in the Saab USA Heritage Collection, featuring less obtrusive front and rear bumpers than later models, was acquired and fully restored in 2006.
1978 SAAB 99 TURBO
Making its world debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1977, the 99 Turbo instantly became one of the most emblematic cars in Saab’s history. The launch car, finished in a unique Pearl White, is part of the Saab AB factory collection in Trollhättan, Sweden.
The four-cylinder 2.0L Turbo engine offered 135 horsepower, compared to 115 for the standard engine. However, torque was increased dramatically. Saab was first to offer a turbo tuned for low-speed torque in a sedan for daily driving, as opposed to high-speed power in a pure sports car such as the Porsche 911. A four-speed manual transmission was standard.
Saab avoided problems previously encountered in turbocharging carbureted engines by providing electronically controlled port fuel injection on the 99 Turbo. Emissions were controlled with one of the first “closed loop” catalyst systems controlled by an oxygen sensor.
A total of 10,607 Saab 99 Turbo vehicles were produced, starting with 100 test fleet cars in 1977 and continuing through 1982. It was offered in two-door, three-door and (very few) five-door body styles in Europe.
Despite mostly understated exterior colors, each 99 Turbo was immediately recognizable by the specific “Inca” alloy wheels, front air dam, rear spoiler, interior upholstery, instrumentation and steering wheel.
The 99 Turbo three-door hatchback was offered in the United States only during the 1978 model year, available in Black, Cardinal Red, Grey and Silver. After an imported total of 4,233 cars, the 99 Turbo was replaced by the larger Saab 900 Turbo three- and five-door hatchback in1979.
1986 SAAB 900 TURBO CONVERTIBLE
The idea for a Saab convertible, now an automotive icon around the world, first took hold in the United States. After convertibles had disappeared from the American marketplace in the early 1980s, Saab USA President Bob Sinclair realized there was a tremendous market niche to be refilled. While the popular hatchback Saab 900 was not suitable for conversion, a limited run of two-door 900 sedans with conventional trunks and steel roofs sparked Sinclair’s interest.
American Sunroof Corp. was commissioned to create a soft-top, four-seat Saab 900 Convertible based on the two-door sedan. A pearl white prototype was unveiled at the 1983 Frankfurt Auto Show as a design study. Overwhelming media response and consumer interest left Saab with no choice but to gear up for production.
Though initial production numbers for the Saab 900 Convertible were conservative, incredible demand kept the Valmet assembly plant in Uusikaupunki, Finland working at full capacity. The first Saab Convertibles were a limited run of 400 16-valve Turbos, produced in the spring of 1986 exclusively for the U.S. market. The cars sold so quickly that most prospective buyers did not realize the car was available for sale.
The 1987 model, now featuring a more sloping front end, was sold out long before its production began, and 1989 models were already being ordered in the autumn of 1986. Overall, almost 49,000 first-generation Saab Convertibles were sold between 1987 and 1993 – an average of 7,000 units a year, or 14 percent of all Saab 900 production.
The Cherry Red 1986 Turbo Convertible in the Heritage Collection has been owned by Saab USA since it was new. It has a black top and some prototype parts of the rear spoiler rendered in wood. Featuring a similar color scheme, it is often considered a look-alike of the Saab 900 Convertible that is the car of choice in the 2004 hit movie “Sideways.”
1987 SAAB 9000 TURBO “TALLADEGA – THE LONG RUN”
Saab surprised the world in mid-1984 with the all-new 9000. Initially available only as a 5-door hatchback with the powerful turbo 16-valve engine, it was the most luxurious and roomiest Saab ever built.
Given the shortage of funding for such an ambitious engineering project, Saab joined forces with the Fiat group of Italy for the joint development of a range of luxury vehicles, which also included the Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma and Alfa Romeo 164.
Overall, the worldwide launch of the Saab 9000 Turbo resulted in a mountain of novelty for a small manufacturer that had a reputation for far-reaching, yet careful moves on the automotive scene. Though the 9000 immediately captured the attention of the press and public, there were also questions about the long-term reliability and durability of the new car.
Saab’s answer was called “The Long Run.” In the fall of 1986, three Saab 9000 Turbo vehicles were randomly chosen at the assembly line in Sweden by the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile, the world’s sanctioning body for record runs. The cars were sent to a famous American race track, Talladega Motor Speedway in Alabama, to show the world how fast and how long a standard Saab 9000 Turbo could go.
With members of the automotive press participating in the driving, Saab set 12 international or world speed records at Talladega. One 9000 Turbo averaged more than 132 mph (210 km/h) while rolling up 100,000 kilometers (60,000 miles) – roughly the equivalent of three trips around the world. With all three cars finishing in fine running condition, the 9000 demonstrated the stamina and staying power of a true Saab.
Following the successful conclusion of The Long Run, car No. 3 was retained by Saab USA for its Heritage Collection. One of its siblings stayed in Talladega at the Motor Speedway Museum, while the other went back home to the Saab AB Museum in Trollhättan.
1990 SAAB 900 SPG
Launched in 1978 as a sensible evolution from the seminal 99, the first-generation Saab 900 lasted until 1993. With almost 909,000 built, the 900 is still the most-produced Saab – and widely regarded as one of the most charismatic.
The SPG (for Special Performance Group) model is the technological and emotional pinnacle of the “classic” 900 portfolio. It debuted at the Brussels auto show in January, 1984 as a banner vehicle for Saab’s next boost in the development of its highly successful turbocharged engine. Power increased to 175 horsepower, thanks to the application of an intercooler plus an entirely new cylinder head with 16 valves and two overhead camshafts. Sharp handling was ensured by a lowered chassis that included front and rear stabilizer bars.
The original show car had a Pearl White exterior, a lavish Colorado Red leather interior and was called “Turbo 16 Aero,” courtesy of the ground effects-enhancing front spoiler, flat three-spoke aluminum wheels and side skirts developed in cooperation with the MIRA wind tunnels in the United Kingdom.
After objections from General Motors, which was not affiliated with Saab and owned the Aero name at the time, the car was relabeled “Turbo 16S” in Europe and “SPG” in North America.
Between 1985 and 1991, more than 7,600 SPGs came to the United States, all three-door hatchbacks and fitted with a five-speed manual transmission. Combined mostly with Buffalo (dark) Grey leather interiors, the exterior color choice was limited to Black, Edwardian Grey, Beryl Green (1991 only) and Talladega Red, which became available for the last two model years.
The 1990 900 SPG in the Heritage Collection boasts an extra-special lineage, as it was originally owned by former Saab USA President Dan Chasins.
1995 SAAB 900 SE “PIKES PEAK”
After a rich career that lasted a quarter-century, it was clear that the brand-defining Saab 99-900 series deserved a worthy successor. The Swedish company had started design and engineering development during the mid-1980s, but found itself in financial trouble as a weakening dollar quickly deteriorated its business in the all-important U.S. market.
By the end of 1989, General Motors Corp. emerged as the white knight for Saab, initially taking a 50-percent interest in the car company. Beyond financial support, GM Europe was also instrumental in providing technical components and systems that led to the completion and launch of the “New Generation” (NG) 900. It debuted in the summer of 1993, initially only in a five-door hatchback configuration.
Its familiar name and design profile notwithstanding, the NG 900 was indeed new from stem to stern. The front-drive powertrain was now transversely mounted, saving space while offering a first in Saab history: a 2.5L V-6 engine, in addition to the tried-and-true, four-cylinder turbo. A unique aircraft-inspired innovation was the “Black Panel,” allowing the driver to shut down all instrument lighting except the speedometer and emergency lights.
To prove that all of these changes didn’t diminish the core qualities that dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts held so dear, Saab accepted a very tall challenge indeed: to race up the steep gravel roads of Pikes Peak, Colo. faster than any car in its class.
By the time the dust settled, the 1995 three-door, 2.0L Turbo Saab 900 SE made its point. The New Generation was here to stay.
1997 SAAB 900 SE “TALLADEGA CHALLENGE”
Ten years after the successful “Long Run” with a trio of 9000 Turbos, Saab went for an encore at the famous NASCAR Talladega Motor Speedway in Alabama. Doubling the effort with a fleet of six cars, this time around, the Saab of choice was the “New Generation” 900 in a three-door configuration.
When the checkered flag fell on Oct. 24, 1996, a silver Saab 900 SE 2.0 Turbo had covered more than 25,000 miles (40,000 km) at an average speed of more than 140 mph (226.45 km/h), including time spent fueling and servicing the car.
In setting these international records, the Saab 900 had to beat the previous world record that was set with the 9000 Turbo at Talladega in 1986.
Saab’s innovative, water-cooled Garrett turbochargers and Trionic engine management system helped these engines and components endure strains that engineers never imagined. Exhaust temperatures of more than 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and turbocharger’s turbines spinning at almost 200,000 rpm for hours on end proved the durability and reliability of these powerful engines.
After completing a distance equivalent to more than one lap around the earth at full throttle, the Saab 900 Turbo and its V-6, along with its non-turbo brethren, set 40 international speed records.
Following the tradition established a decade earlier with the “Long Run” 9000 Turbo, a record-setting Saab 900 SE from the 1996 Talladega Challenge was retained for the Saab Heritage Collection in the United States.
2005 SAAB 9-2X AERO
Following the successful launch of the entirely new 9-3 Sport Sedan, Saab set an all-time sales record in the United States in 2003. But clouds loomed on the horizon, as several European competitors announced new premium compact products, threatening to undercut the 9-3’s market position.
Lacking a homegrown answer, Saab found a suitable product solution by creating the 9-2X. It was produced for Saab by GM’s strategic alliance partner, Fuji Heavy Industries of Japan, with exterior and interior styling, chassis development and overall refinement done by Saab in Sweden.
Being the first-ever Saab to offer all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard equipment, the 9-2X debuted in the United States and Canada in the summer of 2004. It was available in two versions, both featuring horizontally opposed four-cylinder engines: the normally aspirated 165-horsepower 2.5L Linear and the turbocharged, intercooled 227-horsepower 2.0L Aero. The latter was directly recognizable by a more aggressive front fascia, plus a functional air intake on the hood.
The 9-2X attracted a passionate following, consisting mostly of young customers who were new to the Saab family. The car also won important awards and recognitions. It received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “Top Safety Pick” Gold Award (along with the Saab 9-3) for its outstanding crash test performance. Consumer Reports named the 9-2X (along with the Saab 9-5) a “Recommended Buy.”
Saab sold nearly 10,300 9-2Xs. When GM and Fuji Heavy Industries dissolved their partnership, production of the Saab 9-2X came to an end in 2006.
The Smoke Silver Metallic 9-2X Aero in the Saab Automobile USA Heritage Collection is a very early 2005 model. It served as a long-term test car with Los Angeles-based European Car Magazine, which provided the car with several enhancements and upgrades.
2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO V-6 CONVERTIBLE “20 YEARS EDITION”
Saab celebrated two decades of convertible sales success with a special anniversary model, the Saab 9-3 Convertible “20 Years Edition,” in the country where the story began.
The concept of a practical, “four season, four-seater” soft top was pioneered by Saab when it launched the first Saab 900 Convertible in the United States in January 1986. A limited production run of 400 units with 175-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo engine was an immediate success, and the following year, the Saab Convertible was taken into full global production.
After more than 240,000 Saab Convertibles had been produced, the 9-3 “20 Years Edition” Convertible debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. It was presented as the latest expression of an iconic car, combining Scandinavian design and spirited performance with surprising functionality – the core appeal of the Saab brand.
The Saab 9-3 Convertible “20 Years Edition” was distinguished by its unique Electric Blue Metallic paint with matching blue inserts in the parchment leather interior, and special, double five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels. In addition to the regular black top, a dark blue cloth option was offered for the first time in the new 9-3 Convertible.
Based on Aero specifications, with a lowered sports-tuned chassis, Saab’s top-of-the line model was powered by the 250-horsepower, 2.8L V-6 turbo engine. New for 2006, it was named one of the “10 Best Engines” by the editors of Ward’s.
Destined to become a prized possession for Saab collectors, the “20 Years Edition” was limited to 412 convertibles for the U.S. market, with the anniversary logo and serial number engraved on the driver’s side rear window. The car in the Saab Automobile USA Heritage collection is the first off the assembly line.
