Saab 93 93B

Saab 93 93B

The Saab 93, produced from 1955 to 1960, was the car that transformed Saab from an aircraft manufacturer dabbling in automobiles into a serious car company. Building on the lessons learned from the experimental Saab 92, the 93 refined the concept into a production-ready vehicle that would establish many of the design principles Saab would follow for decades.

The 93's design was heavily influenced by Saab's aviation heritage. The aerodynamic body shape, developed with the aid of wind tunnel testing at the Saab aircraft factory, gave the car a remarkably low drag coefficient for its era. The teardrop-shaped body, while unconventional by the standards of 1950s automotive design, was highly efficient and contributed to respectable cruising speeds despite the modest engine output.

At the heart of the 93 was a three-cylinder two-stroke engine displacing 748cc. This engine, developed from a DKW design, produced 33 horsepower and required the driver to mix two-stroke oil with the fuel, a characteristic that would define Saab motoring for years to come. The distinctive blue smoke and characteristic two-stroke wail became beloved quirks among Saab enthusiasts.

The 93 was front-wheel drive, a relatively unusual configuration in the 1950s. This layout, combined with the car's light weight and low center of gravity, gave the 93 surprisingly nimble handling characteristics. The car quickly proved itself in rallying, where its combination of traction, aerodynamics, and durability made it competitive against more powerful rivals.

The freewheel device in the transmission was a clever engineering solution to the two-stroke engine's lubrication needs. Because a two-stroke engine requires fuel mixture for lubrication, engine braking could potentially starve the engine of oil. The freewheel prevented this by disconnecting the engine from the drivetrain during deceleration, allowing the engine to idle and maintain lubrication.

The 93B variant, introduced in 1957, brought several improvements including a more conventional windshield design replacing the split windscreen of earlier models. This change significantly improved forward visibility and gave the car a more modern appearance.

Production totaled over 52,000 units, establishing Saab as a viable automobile manufacturer. The 93 laid the foundation for the legendary 96, which would continue the two-stroke tradition into the 1960s and achieve worldwide fame through Erik Carlsson's rally victories. Today, the Saab 93 is a prized collector's item, particularly among enthusiasts who appreciate automotive engineering that dared to be different.