The Early Years   Sonnet    93    93b    93f    GT750     Monster    95    96     98    99    90     900     9000    9-3     9-5

The Early Years
1945 - Already established as aircraft manufacturers and with the war ending, Saab decided to diversify into car manufacturing and the first model, the 92 (also know as the Ursaab - Ur meaning original).
1949 - After very rigorous testing the new car with a 2 cylinder 2 stroke engine was launched in to much acclaim
1950 - 1,246 were produced (all in green supposedly due to a surplus of green paint left over from the war!)
1953 - The 92b was introduced with a greatly enlarged rear window and other changes including a boot lid and a choice of 4 colours.
1954 - Saab had produced 10,000 cars.                Top

Saab Sonett
1954 - Known as the saab 94. Originally six Sonetts were built, the cars being intended as either experimental or competition cars. The Sonett, with it's light-metal chassis, plastic bodywork and a two-stoke engine tuned to deliver 57.5hp and giving a top speed of 210 km/h, was a sensation.
1956 - Test runs were conducted in and the car was introduced to America the same year, and a further 5 test car were built in November. In May 1957 Saab looked to Jensen in the Uk for production facilities (they already produced the Volvo P1800) but the contract was awarded to a  'AS' in Sweden because of Mr Jensens reluctance to travel to Sweden and the poor quality of British cars as perceived by the Americans who were Saabs main market for the car.
1957  - In November Saab intended to produce 2,000 Sonetts each year at the rate of 200 per month each with a light-metal body and a folding roof.
1958 - No production resulted as competition rules were revised to permit the tuning of standard production cars. Saab no longer required a specific sports model. The Saab Sonett Super Sport was assembled on an all steel box frame (aluminium on the first car). The Saab 93 748cc three-cylinder two-stroke was tuned to develop 57.5hp through a three-speed gearbox mounted forward of the engine. The rotation of the engine was reversed to give three forward and one reverse gears. The Sonett weighs only 500kg in full road trim.
1964 - The MFI13 was originally developed as an independent sports car and subsequently Saab stepped in and developed the car as the Sonnet 2
1966 - The Saab 97 project as it was named was shown in the winter of '66 and production commenced with a tuned version of the 3 cylinder 2 stroke engine with 3 carburettors and producing 60 bhp. Few further Sonett IIs were powered by the two-stroke power plant, instead the Sonett II was fitted with a new four-stroke four-cylinder unit (Ford V4) as was now standard in the Saab 96.
1970 - The Saab Sonett II suffered increasing criticism of its awkward lines by both customers and within Saab itself. The Sonett III, the product of this Swedish-Italian cooperation, was unveiled in Spring 1970.
1974 - Production of the Sonnet discontinued.              Top

Saab 93
1956 - Model 93 was a revised 92 with extensive re-engineering incorporated a longitudinally mounted three cylinder 748cc two-stroke engine developing 33hp. The new engine had a smaller swept volume than its predecessor but developed more power. Coil springs replaced torsion bars and a 12-volt electrical system was fitted. The 93 featured a completely new gearbox but still with just three gears.
1957 - The option of seat belts introduced for the first time.

1958 - Model discontinued.               Top

Saab 93b
1958 - Eleven major modifications earned the Saab 93 a new designation: 93B, on show for the first time on 2 September 1957. A new one-piece windscreen permitted the use of larger windscreen wipers working in parallel and clearing an area larger by 43%. The turn indicator arrows were replaced by repeating flashers.
1959 - model discontinued.               Top

Saab 93f
1960 - The 1960 model year 93 received the designation 93F, the F denoting new front hinged doors, a feature of the 93, the GT750 and later the 95.The 93F represented the final year of production of the 93 and provided the opportunity to run down stocks of old components prior to the introduction of the, as yet unannounced, Saab 96. Only 600 or so Saab 93F models were built, each with mudguards at the rear wheels and a larger capacity cooling system.                Top

Saab GT750
1958-60 - At the New York Automobile Show of April 1958, Saab exhibited a car that they called the Gran Turismo 750 - a sporty and luxurious model that was pitched specifically at the growing US market. The GT750 had twin carburettors and the engine had been tuned to develop 50hp. An optional engine tuning kit made it possible to convert the car to a GT750 Super with an engine output of 55hp. The GT750 Super was more sports car than family car. This was confirmed with its hard and cramped rear seat but comfortable front seats that could be adjusted to any one of fourteen positions.               Top

The Monster
1959 - The Monster was essentially a Saab 93 stripped of all unnecessary weight - even the bonnet is plastic - with two 748cc three cylinder two stroke engines installed in the engine bay.The engine(s!) had a combined swept volume of almost 1.5 litres and developed "well over 100bhp" At the Såtenäs airfield, Saab engineers timed the Monster at 196km/h, unfortunately this record was set under the wrong conditions there being no independent inspectors and the run was made in one direction only.The Monster was also exercised around the Gelleråsen circuit near Karlskroga where it was found to be difficult to corner. The power was also too much for a pinion in the transmission.The Monster now lives in the Saab Museum at Trollhättan.               Top

Saab 95
1959 - Saab unveiled the Saab 95 Station Wagon in May 1959. The early 95s were a mixture of components including the two-stroke 841cc engine from the forthcoming, and as yet unannounced, Saab 96. It was equipped with a four speed gearbox and the rear-hinged "suicide" doors were from the 93. The 95 was versatile - being able to carry up to 500kg of luggage in a load space that could be varied. In the luggage compartment there was a foldaway bench seat for two making the 95 a two, five or even seven seater vehicle.
1967 - The Ford V4 1.5ltr engine was introduced developing 65bhp at 4700 rpm and giving a top speed of 155kph, this was an instant success and increased Saab sales by over 40% on the previous year
1978 - the last 95 ( a V4) was manufactured.               Top

Saab 96
1960 - The Saab 96, featuring a new 841cc, 38hp three-cylinder two-stroke, was well received and proved popular. Capacity was increased to 50,000 units and the popular 96 opened up new markets for Saab. The rear was extensively redesigned to incorporate a 117% larger rear screen, a wider backseat, larger baggage compartment, a new fuel tank and larger rear lights.
1967 - The Saab 96 took on a new four-stoke four-cylinder engine in August 1966 for the 1967 model year. Although it did not succeed the two-stroke unit immediately, as with the 95, the V4 was an instant success.

1980 - Model discontinued.               Top

Saab 98
1974 - This car called a Combi Coupé was essentially a hatchback that was a cross between a comfortable family saloon and an estate car. Just into the new year of 1974, the Saab 99 Combi Coupé had been introduced and Saab was debating the merits of applying the same concept to the Saab 96. It was decided to cancel the project andonly one example was produced.

Saab 99

1964 - Saab resolved to develop a new and larger car.
1965 - Contract signed with Triumph to supply a 4 cylinder 1.5 ltr engine for the new model.
1967 - The Saab 99 was revealed to the press and public on 22 November.
1984 - Model discontinued               Top

Saab 900 Classic   To see specifications click HERE
1979 - Based on the 99 but with many revisions, included in the model range were the 900SE with 133bhp, the Carlsson with a limited run oif 200 cars per year in'90 '91& '92, the 900i convertible, the 175bhp T16S along with the more conventional saloon versions. All built on saab reputation for safety and quality motoring.
1993 - Model discontinued
1994 - The new 900 was the first completely new model since GM (General Motors) took a 50% stake in Saab Automobile AB in 1990. The car was a three / five door hatchback, five seats (also convertible, four seats) and the basic engine was 1,985cc four-cyl in-line transverse turbocharged (light pressure or high output). Compression 10.1:1, 185bhp @ 5,500 rpm. Many varations were produced with the top of the range 2.0T giving a class leading 185bhp and a smooth V6 version offering 170bhp and 140mph

1997 - Model discontinuedand replaced by the 9-3.               Top

Saab 90
1985 - The Saab 90 was introduced for the 1985 model year to fit into the range of models now offered by Saab: 90, 900 and 9000. All Saabs were now badged with the new Saab-Scania emblem on the bonnet.It was essentially a Saab 99 with a new rear section that was identical to the new two-door Saab 900 that had appeared on the market just month earlier. This provided more room for passengers and luggage. A 1,985cc in-line four-cylinder engine pushing out 100hp powered the Saab 90. It was available with either four or five speed transmission.
1987 - Model discontinued

Saab 9000   To see specifications click HERE
1985 - Saab had been planning a new model as long ago as 1974, but work did not get fully underway until 1979 and the collaboration with Fiat/Lancia in a project to produce a larger car. The project was known as Type Four. Styled by Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro, the 9000 ultimately ended up significantly different from its sister cars the Fiat Croma and the Lancia Thema. Of the 155 or so parts that made up the body just ten or so were interchangeable. A front-wheel drive with a transversely mounted engine meant that the interior was more spacious than the Saab 900 despite a slightly shorter external length. The combination of the folding rear seat and the estate/saloon opening rear hatch made for superb load-lugging characteristics
1998 - Model discontinued and replaced by the 9-5.               Top

Saab 9-3   To see specifications click HERE
1998 - The Saab 9-3 was launched in 1998 essentially as a rebadged Saab 900 (1994-1997 model). There was very little to tell them apart externally, except for a redesigned grille (more similar to the recently launched Saab 9-5) and the relocation of the third "high-level" brakelight from the boot ridge to the top of the rear screen. This made brakelight visibility easier to traffic behind, therefore safer. Internally, the 9-3 acquired the innovative SAHR or Saab Active Head Restraint system - as introduced as an industry first on the Saab 9-5. Therefore, the design of the head restraints differs slightly from the Saab 900 (1994-1997 model). It was under the body that the changes had been made on the 9-3. Over 1,100 changes including suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor, the Saab 900 (1994-1997 model), for which these new General Motors influenced Saabs had been much maligned by the auto press.      Top

Saab 9-5   To see specifications click HERE
1998 - Saab's own design centre had been formulating and working on ideas for new, larger Saab since the early 1990s, though this project was often delayed and eventually abandoned.
Then, in February 1993, the decision was taken to commence work on a new Saab. Seven designers were assigned to Project 640 - each to produce a scale model. The selected model was designed by Tony Catignani and from computer screen to reality the project took less than three years.
The development of the Saab 9-5 retained existing Saabisms such as its world famous attention to safety, the curved C-pillar and the ergonomics of the vehicle - especially in respect of the driver. Saab set out to exceed the already high safety standards of the Saab 9000 and design the safest car possible. Data from Saab itself, Folksam (the Swedish insurer) and EuroNCAP tests all show that the Saab 9-5 is indeed the safest car that you can drive to date.
Saabisms reintroduced for the 9-5 include the clamshell bonnet and the return of the floor mounted ignition and reverse gear lock that was absent from its predecessor, the Saab 9000.

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