SAAB Motorsport kicked off an epic adventure, tearing through snowy Scandinavian trails all the way to slick UK racetracks. This Swedish crew didn’t play by everyone else’s rules, they mixed crazy ideas with some serious smarts to make a name in racing.
Most car brands chased trophies on fancy circuits, but SAAB dove headfirst into the messy, tough world of rallying, shining bright with some of the most challenging cars built with Sweden’s top-of-the-line engineering.
And guess what—rallying’s just the start; SAAB also rocked circuit races and long-haul endurance stuff, and even tried their hands at formula racing, showing they weren’t just one-trick ponies.
SAAB’s Iconic Racing Story
Saab began after World War II when aircraft engineers in Trollhättan had extra skills and wanted to create something new. They switched from making planes to cars, aiming to design vehicles that were different in both looks and how they were engineered.
SAAB aimed to build unique and tech-filled cars that eventually paid off in the 1960s and 1970s which became Saab’s best years for the company. During this time, they introduced innovative models like the Saab 99, which had new safety features and turbocharged engines. Saab’s focus on innovation and quality helped it gain loyal customers and worldwide recognition.
This article will look at important events like Saab’s rally racing victories, which proved that they built strong, high-performance cars.
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Rally Days: How SAAB Got Famous
Back in the 1950s, SAAB jumped into motorsport when rallying meant staying alive as much as going fast. Their first rides, like the SAAB 92, and then the tougher SAAB 96, turned into legends for taking a beating and still rolling strong.
With sleek shapes borrowed from airplane designs — these cars owned Europe’s brutal rally roads. People still wonder today, “Does SAAB still make cars?” because they miss those unbeatable beasts that ruled the rally scene, even though the factory shut down in 2011.
Erik Carlsson, who everyone called “Mr. SAAB,” was the guy behind the wheel, making it all happen. The dude’s skills, paired with the SAAB 96’s knack for not breaking down, scored big wins that got SAAB noticed worldwide. He crushed it at the RAC Rally from 1960 to 1962, then snagged back-to-back Monte Carlo Rally victories in ’62 and ’63—proof SAAB could outsmart and outlast anybody.
Carlsson had this wild trick, braking with his left foot, squeezing every bit of juice from those little two-stroke engines, turning him into a rally hero. The wins didn’t dry up after Carlsson, either.
Stig Blomqvist picked up where he left off, nailing races like the Swedish Rally in the ‘70s. His 1979 win there with the SAAB 99 Turbo changed everything—not just for SAAB but for all of racing. It was the first time a turbo car took a World Championship rally, locking in SAAB’s rep as the turbo kings.
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Turbo Power: Shaking Up Rallying
The late ‘70s hit, and SAAB dropped the SAAB 99 Turbo like a bomb. Turbocharging was still new, and barely a thing in cars. Nevertheless, SAAB went all in, cranking up power for their rally machines. That SAAB 99 Turbo could blast speed out of nowhere, letting drivers rip through rough trails like it was nothing.
Blomqvist’s big 1979 Swedish Rally win was the highlight, sure, but it was not the only time they shined. That turbo engine gave SAAB an upper hand in tons of races around the globe, showing their brainy ideas actually worked on the track. Those years proved SAAB wasn’t scared to try stuff others wouldn’t, a vibe that stuck with their racing game forever.
Circuit Racing: SAAB Surprises Everyone
Rallying felt like home for SAAB, but they didn’t stop there—they crashed the circuit racing party too. Teams like Abbott Racing took SAAB cars that nobody expected. In 1992, Abbott’s squad blew minds, winning the UK Production Car Championship with the SAAB 9000 CS 2.3. Front-wheel drive beating out the usual rear- and four-wheel setups? That’s SAAB’s engineering magic, plus some gutsy teamwork.
Even cooler, they owned the Willhire 24-hour race at Snetterton. Endurance racing’s no joke—cars and drivers get pushed to the edge—and SAAB winning showed they built stuff to last, not just to flash. Circuit wins weren’t as common as rally ones, but they screamed SAAB’s ability to switch it up and not get stuck in one lane.
Formula Racing: SAAB’s Sneaky Side Gig
Not a lot of folks know this, but SAAB dipped into formula racing too. In the early ‘60s, they cooked up Formula Junior cars and raced them all over Europe. Underpowered next to the big dogs, sure, but they still grabbed some podium spots, proving SAAB could hang in the fast, fierce open-wheel scene.
Then, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, SAAB engines fired up the Barber SAAB Pro Series over in North America, running strong until 2003. Short-lived maybe, but it showed SAAB loved testing new waters, way beyond their rally comfort zone.
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SAAB’s Lasting Mark: Breaking Rules, Winning Hearts
SAAB’s whole motorsport trip was about smashing what people thought cars could do. Turbo engines ruling rally stages, shock wins on circuits, a little formula action—SAAB kept pushing limits. Their rides, total underdogs, showed that smarts and grit could beat brute strength any day.
Production stopped in 2011, but SAAB’s racing spirit is still kicking. Old-school rally teams keep those classics alive, tearing up tracks, and you can spot SAAB’s ideas in today’s hot cars. For anyone who loves racing, SAAB’s wild history proves going your own way—and showing up the doubters—never gets old.
