[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Saab in the News: Winged Victory: Celebrating Saabâs... Posted by Scott Paterson [Email]  (#13)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Scott Paterson) on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:51:44
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
|
Winged Victory: Celebrating Saabâs 60th â Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By David Boldt, March 29, 2007
In 1947 Hitlerâs bunker was â we suspect â still smoldering, Secretary of State George Marshall announced a plan for Europeâs Economic Recovery, Chuck Yeagerâs Bell X1 broke the sound barrier, and the Yankees beat the Dodgers in the first televised World Series. On Broadway, Tennessee Williamsâ âA Streetcar Named Desire,â with one Marlon Brando, made its stage debut. And in Sweden, Saabâs first automobile, the prototype 92, was previewed to Swedish media.
On the cusp of the 60th anniversary marking Saabâs automotive launch, weâre gathered in Southern California to relive that moment, and subsequent launches, with Saab executives including general manager Jay Spenchian and retired Saab CEO Bob Sinclair. And to commemorate Saabâs competitive history weâre blessed by the presence of Saab legend (we donât use the term lightly) Erik âOn the Roofâ Carlsson, whose exploits behind the wheel of a Saab 96 put Erik on the podium and fixed Saab in the public imagination.
Saabâs current tagline, âBorn >From Jetsâ, certainly resonates in print and on TV. We suspect the prototype 92 resonated in â47. In profile the 92 resembled â more than anything â an airfoil (co-efficient of drag was .32); when viewed from the front its organic lines and narrow track might have been âBorn From A U-Boatâ. The overall impression is one of a slippery tube; it doesnât necessarily slice through the air â weâd guess, rather, it oozes.
Beyond Saab executives and Mr. Carlsson is the Saab Heritage Collection, an amazing gathering of Saab product history. We donât have on hand the prototype 92, but we have virtually everything else. And upon arriving at Warner Springs Ranch Airport via a circuitous route â and the Julian Pie Company â east of San Diego, weâre invited to drive them.
If you think early Saabs might look âdifferentâ, you should try piloting one. Most compelling for me â at least visually â was the Collectionâs 1960 Saab 93 GT 750. Sharing its nomenclature with one of my favorite Ducatis (something Mr. Sinclair would understand), the GTâs mesh grille is framed by rally-type lighting and the aero-inspired insignia. Inside, a wood rim provides grip while white-on-black instrumentation provides info. And under the hood, twin carbs boost the 2-stroke triple to 45 horsepower, some 33-percent better than the cooking versionâs 33.
The engineâs were still pre-mix, and based on my adolescent experience with 2-stroke lawn equipment Iâd guess an early Saab would have lasted â in my garage â something less than two tanks of gas.
If the power â or lack of same â takes some adjustment, than you should try shifting on the column. Despite the retro configuration, everything engages easily and with a positive feel. (If the Koreans canât seem to capture the shifting quality of a Honda or Toyota, they could at least attempt to replicate the feel of a 1960 Saab.) The GTâs high beltline provides a cocoon-like driving position, but steering is reasonably direct, and brakes suggest some type of connection between pedal and wheels.
A lap of the runway with Mr. Carlsson was instructive; I would doubt anyone can extricate as much performance from roughly 50 horsepower as Erik the Redline. And despite his advanced age and rather labored gait, thereâs little thatâs labored when heâs behind the wheel of the 1960 RAC-winning rally car. Erikâs approach to life seems to mirror his approach to Saabâs: Letâs get everything out of the experience we can.
Beyond the GT and ride in Erikâs 96, we fast-forward to drives in a 99 Turbo (built in 1978) and a 900 Turbo SPG (1990). Both offered a hint of nostalgia (especially the 99) along with performance that would leave more than a few contemporary sport sedans in their collective dust. Only seat time was provided in the Saab-powered Quantum, but its cigar-like frame and open-wheeled architecture provided a whiff of what many think is the formula carsâ golden era.
The return drive to San Diego might have seemed anti-climactic, but the 9-3 Anniversary Edition is a recipe that seemingly exceeds the sum of its parts. That suspicion was confirmed throughout the following weekend when, joined by the spouse and California-based daughter, we did our own tour of Julian and surrounding countryside.
The 9-3 Combi, with its 2.0 liter turbocharged four and either manual or auto trans, is complemented by an ice blue metallic exterior, new 17-inch alloy wheels, a premium audio upgrade, dark walnut interior and âSaabâ embossed leather seating. Unlike some commemorative editions (which seem to look better with the car cover ON), the Saab 60th â on both 9-3 and 9-5 models â is both a credible upgrade and a legitimate value.
Weâre fond of the 9-3 dynamic, but wouldnât discount the 9-5, especially in Combi form. This is one very compelling package for those needing both space and pace. Saabâs actual anniversary is in June, and the U.S.-based celebration takes place in August. The cars â happily â are available now.
http://www.star-telegram.com/103/story/48591.html
_______________________________________ Saabnet.com Webmaster Saabs Owned: 1973 Saab Sonett III (Current) 1983 Saab 900 Turbo 1985 Saab 900 Sedan 1990 Saab 900 1992 Saab 900S 1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero (RIP 95K/Accident-guy ran stop sign) 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero (Current) 2007 Saab 9-3 SportCombi 2010 Saab 9-3X Wagon Winner 1996 Saab Owners Convention Rally Novice Class Winner 1999 Saab Owners Convention Rally (All Classes) Also Founder of two non-profits: Poverty2Prosperity.org RunClubMenloPark.org
, Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:51:44 <-- Viewing This Message
, Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:40:16, Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:48:52, Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:40:20
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
