Formula Junior SAABO Quantum Catherina MFI 13 Sonett II Monte Carlo V4
Gudmund The Toad 1968 DeLuxe The 98 The Baja 1000 SAABSA EMS
1977 99T The 5 Door 1980 96 The 90 The EV-1 The Convertible Rallying
Lime Rock The "Fleet" Drivers Barber Saab Toy SAABs Personalities Saab-missions
A Brief History of SAAB in New England Autocross Literature Talladega Resources
As a result, they redirected their focus on the promise of automobile manufacturing. Aircraft engineer Gunnar Ljungstr�m and industrial designer Sixten Sason were responsible for "Project 92", and the development of the aerodynamic prototype - the 92001. The resulting Model 92, a 2-cycle, 2-cylinder sedan was soon in production, and Saab - the automobile manufacturer - was well on its way.
Saabs first made their way to these shores in 1956, under the direction of Chief Test Engineer Rolf Mellde in Sweden, and Ralph Millet, then head of Saab Motors, Inc., here in the U.S. The first shipment consisted of 4 Model 93s and a Saab Super Sport - the "Sonett I", slated to debut at the 1956 International Automobile Show at the New York Colliseum. The reception was far better than expected, and soon Saab 93s were arriving by the shipload into harbors at Boston and Hingham, MA.
The 93 evolved into the 93B, and finally the 93F, and was then replaced with the highly-successful 95 Estate Wagon and 96 Sedan. 2-cycle, 3-cylinder engines gave way to 4-cycle V4s. The Sonett returned in 1966 as the Sonett II, before inheriting the 4-cycle engine, and becoming the Sonett V4. The 99 arrived in 1969, and the Sonett transformed into the Sonett III in 1970.
The last 95s and 96s came in 1973, although production of the 96 continued in Europe until 1980. Turbocharging was introduced in 1977, and the 900 began production in model year 1979. The rest, as they say, is history, and gets far too complex for me to relate in this short space.
New England embraced the front-wheel drive car from Sweden immediately, as it was strong, safe, and capable of making it through the typical New England winters. Ralph Millet also saw an opportunity to promote the rugged little car's abilities, by entering a contingent of stock 93s in the Great American Mountain Rally. The 1500-mile event started in New York City on Thanksgiving, and took the participants throughout the states of New England during a grueling snowstorm that crippled much of the Northeast. Of course, Saab took first place, and the resulting media coverage (including the March '57 R&T) introduced America to the new car from Sweden.
Today in New England, you'll find perhaps a higher concentration of Saabs than anywhere else in the country. Saab has long since moved its administrative headquarters to Norcross, GA. But its training center remains here in the Northeast, as does a huge following of devotees. It's rare that a small company attracts such a following, but Saab has done this by being an innovator, a pioneer, by thinking outside of the box and by never losing sight of the importance of safety. People around here appreciate that, and perhaps nowhere is the "Spirit of Saab" stronger than in New England. Keep your eyes open as you drive the backroads of the Berkshires, the White and Green Mountains, the coasts of Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island. There are Saab cars - old and new - everywhere around you. And there are two Saab Clubs in the region - the New England Saab Association and the New England Sonett Club, helping to keep the Saab Spirit alive.
- 8/26/01
