Saab 93

Infobox Automobile
name=Saab 93


manufacturer=Saab Automobile
production=1956-1959
class=Compact
predecessor=Saab 92
successor=Saab 96
related=Saab 95
Country=Sweden
layout =FF layout
body_style=2-door coupé
engine=750 cc 2-stroke I3
designer=Sixten SasonThe Saab 93, pronounced "ninety-three", is an automobile manufactured by Saab. It was announced on August 18, 1955 and was first presented on December 1, 1955. It was styled by Sixten Sason and had a longitudinally-mounted three-cylinder 748 cc Saab two-stroke engine giving 33 hp (25 kW). The gearbox had three gears, the first unsynchronised. In order to overcome the problems of oil starvation on overrun (engine braking) for the two-stroke engine, a freewheel device was fitted. In 1957, two-point seatbelts were introduced as an option. The 93 was the first Saab to be exported from Sweden, with most exports going to the United States. A Saxomat clutch and a cabrio coach (large cloth sunroof) were available as options.

On September 2, 1957 the 93B was introduced. The original two-piece windshield was also replaced with a one-piece windshield.

In 1957, Erik Carlsson finished 1st in the Finland Rally in a Saab 93, in 1959 he was 1st in the Swedish Rally, also in a Saab 93.

In late 1959 the 93F was introduced, featuring front-hinged doors from the Saab GT750. 1960 was the last year of production for the 93. The 93 was replaced by the Saab 96, although the two models were sold side-by-side for the earlier part of the year. A total of 52,731 Saab 93s were made.

Racing history

1956

* Wiesbaden Rallye, Germany (June 24, 1956)
** 1st Bengt Jonsson and Kjell Persson
* Rally Viking, Norway
** 1st Carl-Magnus Skogh
** 2nd Erik Carlsson
** 4th Ivar Andersson
* Rikspokalen, Sweden
** 1st Erik Carlsson
* Scandiatrofén, Sweden
** 1st Erik Carlsson and Carl-Magnus Skogh (shared)
* Tour d'Europe Continental
** 2nd Rolf Mellde and Sverker Benson
* Tulpen Rally, The Netherlands
** 2nd Sture Nottorp and Charlie Lohmander
** 3rd Gunnar Bengtsson and Sven Zetterberg
** 7th Bengt Jonsson and Sölve Relve

1957

* Mille Miglia, Turismo Preparato 750 cc, Italy
** 1st Charlie Lohmander and Harald Kronegård
* GAMR - Great American Mountain Rallye, USA
** 1st Bob Wehman and Louis Braun, USA
** 1st Best marque team
** 6th Rolf Mellde and Morrow Mushkin
** 17th Jerry Jankowitz and Doris Jankowitz
* 1000 Lakes Rally, Finland
** 1st Erik Carlsson
** 1st Best marque team Erik Carlsson, Carl Otto Bremer, Harald Kronegård
** 1st Finnish champion, Carl Otto Bremer
* Rallye Adriatique, Yugoslavia
** 1st R M Hopfen
* Lime Rock Rally, USA
** 1st Bob Wehman
* Rikspokalen, Sweden
** 1st Carl-Magnus Skogh
* Finnish Snow Rallye, Finland
** 2nd Erik Carlsson
* Acropolis Rally Greece
** 2nd Henri Blanchoud
* Rallye Atlas-Oasis, Marocco
** 2nd Harald Kronegård and Leonce Beysson

1959

* 24 Hours of Le Mans
** 2nd in it's class and 12th total

1960

* Finnish Snow Rallye, Finland
** 1st Carl Otto Bremer

2008

* Le Mans Classic, compensated
** 1st in it's class and 2nd overall

Famous owners

* Comedian, talk show host and classic car collector Jay Leno owns a grey 1958 93B.

External links

* [http://www.saablink.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=65 Saablink.net Vintage Saabs Bulletin Board]
* [http://www.saabmuseum.com/92/ Saabmuseum.com]