The SaaB 93 was produced by SAAB and was the second production car in their line-up. The first Saab 93 was presented in December 1, 1955. It was styled by Sixten Sason, an industrial designer who designed several generations of Saab vehicles.
The first 93 was powered by a longitudinally-mounted three-cylinder 748 cc two-stroke engine giving out 33 horsepower (25kw). The gearbox came with 3 gears with the first gear being unsynchronized. The unsynchronized 1st gear meant you would perform double clutching to shift to another gear.
A fun fact that the unsynchronized transmission are also used in high caliber race cars because the shifting is much faster than a synchronized gear. The two-stroke engine came with problems such as oil starvation when engine braking, which was solved by putting on a freewheel which disconnects the driveshaft from the driven shaft.
With safety precautions on cars following up in the years of the 1950’s, seat belts were standard in the years to come. In 1957, two-point seat belts were given as an option for the Saab 93. A Saxomat clutch option was also available as an option. The Saxomat clutch was a type of automatic transmission during the 1950’s.
It was also fitted on lancia’s and fiat’s during it’s time. A cabrio coach which is a large clothed sunroof was also available as an option. The Design of the Saab 93 was liked by car enthusiasts because of the suicide doors and curvy smooth styling. Although the suicide doors was discontinued in the 1959 models. A version with a one-piece windshield was produced and was named the 93b.
In 1960, the Saab 93 came out came out with a much more bigger 850 cc three cylinder two-stroke engine.
The way you add oil to the engine was by putting it in the gas tank. Some newer models were oil injected. The car was also a 12-volt car from production. Up until the 1957 models the accelerator was only a little roller, in 1958 the accelerator placed was the common one you see today. In the 1959 model;s it included a glove box door and a much bigger radiator.
How can you tell if the engine is a 750cc or 850 cc engine?
The 750 cc has 8 head bolts while the 850 cc has 12 head bolts. The reason why it has more head bolts is because it has more area for leakage due to it having a larger displacement.
The Rally History of the Saab 93
The Saab 93 was used in Finland’s rally in 1957 and was driven by Erik Carlsson which he placed 1st. He also competed in 1959 Swedish rally and also placed 1st. In 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, it finished 2nd in it’s class and 12th total. The Saab 93 competed in the Classic Le Mans of 2008 and won 1st in its class and 2nd overall. It competed in various rallies throughout 1956 to 1960 and garnered podium places.
The Saab 93 although a small family car, shows that it can compete in races, be stylish and become a collector’s car for years to come.
Image: Jorchr
