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Italian hillsides are about to reverberate again to the distinctive crackle of a Saab two-stroke engine. Providing the soundtrack will be Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson and Saab Automobile Chairman and Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller, who will each drive a 1957-vintage Saab 93 at this year´s historic Mille Miglia road race.
The two executives are celebrating the 93´s class win on this unique event 53 years ago with cars prepared by the Saab CarMuseumun Sweden. Jonsson and Muller will be following, at a more leisurely pace, in the wheel tracks of the 1957 class winner crewed by Charlie Lohmander and co-driver Harald Kronegård. Today´s annual classic recreation of the 1,000-mile (1,600 km) Brescia-Rome-Brescia route is held over three days on open roads and decided on punctuality between check-points. Jonsson and Muller will be co-driven by their sons, Christian, 38, and Olivier,18, respectively.
Powered by a 45 hp, 748 cc, three-cylinder engine, but weighing only 810 kilos, the Saab 93´s agile handling and good aerodynamics enabled it to embarrass far more powerful, larger cars. “Saab´s early success on this event is part of our rich heritage," said Jan Åke Jonsson. “We´re looking forward to competing once again with the Saab 93, although we won´t be driving it quite so fast."
This year´s event, from 6 — 8 May, is Victor Muller´s tenth Mille Miglia. “The 93 is unlike any other car I´ve entered, which is hardly surprising as it´s a Saab," he said. “Jan Åke and I will enjoy the event and we´re looking forward to a little friendly rivalry between team-mates. It certainly won´t be as intense as the competition between Eklund and Blomqvist when they were rallying with Saabs in the late 70s."
Saab´s 1957 Mille Miglia success was followed by Erik ‘Mr Saab´ Carlsson´s overall victory on the Finnish 1000 Lakes Rally later the same year, both results bringing early international recognition for the Saab brand. Carlsson would go on to achieve back-to-backMonte Carlowins and a hat-trick of RAC Rally victories in the early 60s.
Between 1955 and 1960, 52,731 Saab 93s were built at Trollhättan, where Saabs are still produced today. Its frontal styling introduced a new face for Saab, carried forward by the 96 sedan and 95 station wagon which stayed in production until 1980.
Powered by a 45 hp, 748 cc, three-cylinder engine, but weighing only 810 kilos, the Saab 93´s agile handling and good aerodynamics enabled it to embarrass far more powerful, larger cars. “Saab´s early success on this event is part of our rich heritage," said Jan Åke Jonsson. “We´re looking forward to competing once again with the Saab 93, although we won´t be driving it quite so fast."
This year´s event, from 6 — 8 May, is Victor Muller´s tenth Mille Miglia. “The 93 is unlike any other car I´ve entered, which is hardly surprising as it´s a Saab," he said. “Jan Åke and I will enjoy the event and we´re looking forward to a little friendly rivalry between team-mates. It certainly won´t be as intense as the competition between Eklund and Blomqvist when they were rallying with Saabs in the late 70s."
Saab´s 1957 Mille Miglia success was followed by Erik ‘Mr Saab´ Carlsson´s overall victory on the Finnish 1000 Lakes Rally later the same year, both results bringing early international recognition for the Saab brand. Carlsson would go on to achieve back-to-backMonte Carlowins and a hat-trick of RAC Rally victories in the early 60s.
Between 1955 and 1960, 52,731 Saab 93s were built at Trollhättan, where Saabs are still produced today. Its frontal styling introduced a new face for Saab, carried forward by the 96 sedan and 95 station wagon which stayed in production until 1980.
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SmithyI have to say that the 93 is a charming car, regardless if they win or not I hope that more pictures of them in motion will pop up! =)# 1April 27, 2010
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romac, UKI agree with Smithy! Is there a special place on the SAAB website for following them now it's on.# 3May 7, 2010
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