Saab 60th Anniversary
Carlsson's Choice: Erik Selects Six Favorites from Saab's Hall of Fame
The career of Eric (“Mr. Saab”) Carlsson, international rallying's first superstar, spans six decades. It has taken him from test driving in Trollhättan, to the top of the podium in Monte Carlo and on to a globe-trotting role as Saab's international ambassador. Here Erik chooses his six favorite Saabs, one from each decade. His recollections, and the cars themselves, tell the story of how the automotive aspirations of an aircraft manufacturer took wing.
Preparing to lead the celebrations for Saab's 60th Anniversary next week, he is happy to take up the theme by identifying his six favorite Saab cars, one from each decade.
1950s
“I think we all have a special place in our heart for our first car, “he says. “In my case it was a Saab 92.
“"Saab was the big local company and they had just started making cars. It was an exciting time and the 92 really was something different from other cars, with its streamlined shape and aircraft engineering. Most cars then had a separate body and chassis bolted together, but the 92 had one single body structure, as most cars do these days. It was light but extremely strong, as I found in my rallying."
1960s
His 'Saab of the 60s' is the famous Saab 96 that brought international rally success for him and for the company.
“"The 96 had more power, good suspension, disc brakes and great handling. We didn't have a roll-over cage, but with the 96 you didn't need one, as I appreciated a few times. Although I got the nickname 'Carlsson on the Roof', I don't think I rolled all that many times. But I remember one occasion when I rolled over in a ditch and water was coming in. It was like sitting in an aquarium but the roof pillars were extremely strong so we weren't drowned or hurt much at all.”"
1970s
Carlsson's choice as 'Saab of the 70s' is the now iconic, black Saab 99 Turbo.
"The 99 was a great chassis and with the turbo we had real power to exploit its potential,” says Erik, who remembers secret forest test driving and his first experiences of the explosive performance on full boost. “We had to do a lot of work to control the boost, to stop the engine blowing up and to get the power on the ground. But, of course, we showed it could be done and just about everyone now uses turbocharging.”"
1980s
Carlsson's choice for the 'Saab of the 80s' - the Saab 900 Convertible - surprised the automotive world when it was revealed as a design study at the Frankfurt Show in the autumn of 1983.”
"Back in the 80s, convertibles were not as popular as they are now and Saab was to play a pioneering role in establishing the attraction of an open-top car as a practical, all-year-round means of transport. “We always had a strong soft-top which was fully automatic, quick and easy to use,” says Erik. “That was an essential requirement and we were able show people this was a car that was good to own and drive in winter as well as summer.”"
1990s
The Saab 9000CS Aero of 1993, Erik's choice as the 'Saab of the 90s'. It set a first template for top-of-the-range Aero models that continue at the pinnacle of Saab's product range today.
“"The 9000 was a great car, very roomy and comfortable. It was a large hatchback that offered all the versatility of a wagon,“ says Erik. “With the rear seats down, you could carry a hell of lot and with the seats up it was just like being in a sedan.”"
2000s
That honor goes to the Saab Aero X Concept, shown at the Geneva Show last year.
âThat wraparound windscreen gives it a good Saab character. It is, of course, a design concept, but I'm not sure about the opening canopy without any doors, but then my first Saab did not have a boot lid and the doors opened from the front!â
Erik will be reunited with his Carlsson's Choiceâand many other favoritesâat Saab's 60th Anniversary Festival in Trollhättan, from 7-10 June, celebrating the unveiling of the first Saab car exactly six decades ago.
In what could be the biggest-ever gathering of Saab fans and enthusiasts, more than 30,000 visitors are expected to come from all over the globe to enjoy a packed program of events. Visit here for all the details.
“I think we all have a special place in our heart for our first car, “he says. “In my case it was a Saab 92.
“"Saab was the big local company and they had just started making cars. It was an exciting time and the 92 really was something different from other cars, with its streamlined shape and aircraft engineering. Most cars then had a separate body and chassis bolted together, but the 92 had one single body structure, as most cars do these days. It was light but extremely strong, as I found in my rallying."
1960s
His 'Saab of the 60s' is the famous Saab 96 that brought international rally success for him and for the company.
“"The 96 had more power, good suspension, disc brakes and great handling. We didn't have a roll-over cage, but with the 96 you didn't need one, as I appreciated a few times. Although I got the nickname 'Carlsson on the Roof', I don't think I rolled all that many times. But I remember one occasion when I rolled over in a ditch and water was coming in. It was like sitting in an aquarium but the roof pillars were extremely strong so we weren't drowned or hurt much at all.”"
1970s
Carlsson's choice as 'Saab of the 70s' is the now iconic, black Saab 99 Turbo.
"The 99 was a great chassis and with the turbo we had real power to exploit its potential,” says Erik, who remembers secret forest test driving and his first experiences of the explosive performance on full boost. “We had to do a lot of work to control the boost, to stop the engine blowing up and to get the power on the ground. But, of course, we showed it could be done and just about everyone now uses turbocharging.”"
1980s
Carlsson's choice for the 'Saab of the 80s' - the Saab 900 Convertible - surprised the automotive world when it was revealed as a design study at the Frankfurt Show in the autumn of 1983.”
"Back in the 80s, convertibles were not as popular as they are now and Saab was to play a pioneering role in establishing the attraction of an open-top car as a practical, all-year-round means of transport. “We always had a strong soft-top which was fully automatic, quick and easy to use,” says Erik. “That was an essential requirement and we were able show people this was a car that was good to own and drive in winter as well as summer.”"
1990s
The Saab 9000CS Aero of 1993, Erik's choice as the 'Saab of the 90s'. It set a first template for top-of-the-range Aero models that continue at the pinnacle of Saab's product range today.
“"The 9000 was a great car, very roomy and comfortable. It was a large hatchback that offered all the versatility of a wagon,“ says Erik. “With the rear seats down, you could carry a hell of lot and with the seats up it was just like being in a sedan.”"
2000s
That honor goes to the Saab Aero X Concept, shown at the Geneva Show last year.
âThat wraparound windscreen gives it a good Saab character. It is, of course, a design concept, but I'm not sure about the opening canopy without any doors, but then my first Saab did not have a boot lid and the doors opened from the front!â
Erik will be reunited with his Carlsson's Choiceâand many other favoritesâat Saab's 60th Anniversary Festival in Trollhättan, from 7-10 June, celebrating the unveiling of the first Saab car exactly six decades ago.
In what could be the biggest-ever gathering of Saab fans and enthusiasts, more than 30,000 visitors are expected to come from all over the globe to enjoy a packed program of events. Visit here for all the details.
gmguy111 says:
11:14 AM, 06/ 2/07
their cars did travel alot in 60 years and thanks to GM Saab has been driven straight into the ground. Now I know what you all must be thinking, why would a guy with GM in his name diss Gm? well let me explain, Saab before the GM buyout/takeover had plenty of unique cars the 9000CS aero a personal favorite. But as the 9-7x SUV unfortunatley showed us that saab spirit is dead at GM. the Aero X concept is an exception but oither than that Saab is not the same and it is not as unique as it once was Honestly it does not matter if it has an ignition key between the seats the 9-7x is STILL JUST A MILDLY RESTYLED TRAILBLAZER