26/04/2010
Classic Saabs On Mille Miglia
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 Car Museum in 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" 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-back Monte Carlo wins 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 saloon and 95 station wagon which stayed in production until 1980.
(LB/BMcC)
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 Car Museum in 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" 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-back Monte Carlo wins 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 saloon and 95 station wagon which stayed in production until 1980.
(LB/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Motoring News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 March 2010
New Saab 9-5 Pricing
Saab’s new 9-5 enters the UK market priced at just £26,495 OTR for the 2.0TiD 160PS Vector SE model, making it a highly competitive proposition for buyers in the premium saloon sector. Cars are available to order from Saab dealerships today.
New Saab 9-5 Pricing
Saab’s new 9-5 enters the UK market priced at just £26,495 OTR for the 2.0TiD 160PS Vector SE model, making it a highly competitive proposition for buyers in the premium saloon sector. Cars are available to order from Saab dealerships today.
15 February 2010
London Volvo Marks First Year
Volvo Cars London is celebrating a successful first year in business after increasing both new and used vehicle sales volumes. The group, which hosted an awards ceremony for its top performing sales staff at the end of January, delivered more than 2,000 Volvos to satisfied customers in 2009, despite the difficult economic climate.
London Volvo Marks First Year
Volvo Cars London is celebrating a successful first year in business after increasing both new and used vehicle sales volumes. The group, which hosted an awards ceremony for its top performing sales staff at the end of January, delivered more than 2,000 Volvos to satisfied customers in 2009, despite the difficult economic climate.
05 January 2010
'Time To Buy' Saabs
General Motors is due to announce its plans for Saab on Thursday 7 January. It is touch and go whether the brand will be sold or closed. According to Used Car Expert Magazine prices on Saabs have been depressed for the last 18 months. Editor Matt Tumbridge thinks there is only a short time left for consumers to bag a bargain.
'Time To Buy' Saabs
General Motors is due to announce its plans for Saab on Thursday 7 January. It is touch and go whether the brand will be sold or closed. According to Used Car Expert Magazine prices on Saabs have been depressed for the last 18 months. Editor Matt Tumbridge thinks there is only a short time left for consumers to bag a bargain.
23 March 2010
Production Resumes At Saab
The production lines at Saab Automobile’s state-of-the-art Trollhättan plant began rolling again today, heralding a new era for the Swedish premium car maker as an independent company.
Production Resumes At Saab
The production lines at Saab Automobile’s state-of-the-art Trollhättan plant began rolling again today, heralding a new era for the Swedish premium car maker as an independent company.
02 March 2010
Flextreme GT/E Concept Car
This one of the first official images of Vauxhall’s stunning Flextreme GT/E concept car, which will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show today. In Vauxhall’s commitment to achieving power without the need for fossil fuels, electricity plays a key role, and the 4.
Flextreme GT/E Concept Car
This one of the first official images of Vauxhall’s stunning Flextreme GT/E concept car, which will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show today. In Vauxhall’s commitment to achieving power without the need for fossil fuels, electricity plays a key role, and the 4.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.