The Saab Granturismo (also Monte Carlo and Sport ) was a series of up-powered sedans sold by Saab Automobile AB from 1958 to 1968. They were powered by three-cylinder, two-stroke engines until the 1967 model year. Most variants were distinguished from the standard model by twin metal stripes along the rocker panels.
17-554: The Granturismo 750 was a performance version of the Saab 93 , which was introduced at the New York International Auto Show in 1956 and produced until 1960. The Saab 93 offered seat belts in 1958, which only became required on US models in 1973. The Granturismo model shared multiple features in common with the standard model, including front drum brakes. Upgraded features included a wood-rim steering wheel,
34-710: A Halda Speedpilot timing device (used in rally racing ), sport seats, driving lamps and metal trim along the rocker panels. Rear-hinged doors were offered on the 1958 model year only. Of the 600 Granturismo 750s built in 1958 and 1959, 546 were exported to the US. Its augmented-output Saab two-stroke engine featured a 9:1 compression ratio, a two-barrel Solex carburetor , a tuned exhaust system, and twin fuel pumps to develop 50 hp (37 kW). An optional twin-carburetor Saab Competition tuning kit boosted engine power boosted to 57 hp (43 kW). The engine gave most power at high revs, 3400 to 5000 rpm. Engine lubrication
51-640: A 1960 Saab 96 , which became the basis for the 1960 and 1961 Granturismo 750. The Saab 96-based model had a four-speed transmission with freewheeling, and chrome wheel trim and venting rear quarter windows. It was succeeded by the Saab Sport in 1962, also based on the Saab 96, with slight modifications and with a different interior configuration and equipment. The engine was upgraded to an 841 cc two-stroke three-cylinder engine with one Solex carburetor per cylinder, giving 57 hp (43 kW). The engine
68-459: A new, smaller car that could deliver good fuel economy would assure the company's future. A raw materials shortage during the war drove home the point that an automobile should be smaller, and also complicated Volvo's ability to mass-produce the product. In 1944, when the car was finally introduced to a car-hungry public, response was very positive and orders poured in from the Swedish population. It
85-605: A one-piece windshield. In 1957, Erik Carlsson finished 1st in the Finland Rally in a Saab 93; in 1959, he was 1st in the Swedish Rally , also in a Saab 93. However, Saab was not the first Swedish manufacturer to win the Swedish Rally . Saab's long-standing Swedish rival, Volvo , had beaten them consecutively in 1957 and 1958 with the PV544 . In late 1959, the 93F was introduced, featuring front-hinged doors from
102-590: A single downdraft carburettor . The power of this engine increased to 44 PS (32 kW) in October 1950, and to 51 PS (38 kW) in October 1955. US models, beginning to appear in early 1956, received an up-rated version called the B14A , which was given twin side-draft 1½ in SU carburetors for a total of 70 hp. Most early US sales were limited to Texas and southern California. American customers also had
119-432: Is the second production automobile that was manufactured by Swedish automaker Saab . Styled by Sixten Sason , it was first presented on December 1, 1955. The 93 was powered by a longitudinally-mounted three-cylinder 748 cc Saab two-stroke engine giving 33 hp (25 kW). The gearbox had three gears, the first unsynchronised. In order to overcome the problems of oil starvation on overrun (engine braking) for
136-532: The P1800 sports car introduced the previous year. This 1.8 L engine had five main bearings. Again single and twin carburettor versions were offered, designated B18A and B18D , respectively. The B18A was a slow seller in the US market since the United States' public prioritised performance over fuel economy. Also in 1962, Volvo changed from 6- to 12-volt electrical systems. In 1963 Volvo began producing
153-664: The Saab GT750 . 1960 was the last year of production for the 93. The 93 was replaced by the Saab 96 , although the two models were sold side by side for the earlier part of the year. A total of 52,731 Saab 93s were made. The Saab Sonett I roadster shared many of its components with the 93. PV544 The Volvo PV is a series of two-door, four-passenger car models — the PV444 and the PV544 — made by Volvo from 1947 to 1965. During World War II 's early stages, Volvo decided that
170-707: The 544 at their new Canadian Dartmouth/Halifax plant, the first Volvo plant to be located outside of Sweden. The PV544 was also made as an estate (wagon), the Duett , initially designated the P445 and later the P210 . The 544 received incremental mechanical revisions and trim changes until its final production year of 1965. Exactly 440,000 units were built during the 18-year run. The car had so endeared itself to its owners that Volvo ran self-deprecating advertisements in late 1965 and early 1966 imploring PV owners not to be angry with
187-423: The option of European delivery, in which case they could also get a cheaper model with the basic B4B engine. By the 1957 model year, engine displacement was increased to 1.6 L and both single downdraft- B16A and twin side-draught carburetted B16B versions were offered. In 1958, the PV544 was phased in. Subtle differences with the PV444 included the introduction of a curved one-piece windshield to replace
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#1732798647445204-512: The two panes of flat glass, larger taillights, and a ribbon-type speedometer . The 444's three-speed manual transmission was also supplanted by a four-speed unit in the 544. The interior was modified to accommodate five people instead of four by increasing the width of the back seat and using thinner backrests on the front seats. The next significant change occurred in 1962, when the B16 was replaced by Volvo's new B18 engine , initially developed for
221-481: The two-stroke engine, a freewheel device was fitted. In 1957, two-point seatbelts were introduced as an option. The 93 was the first Saab to be exported from Sweden, with most exports going to the United States . A Saxomat clutch and a cabrio coach (large cloth sunroof) were available as options. On September 2, 1957, the 93B was introduced. The original two-piece windshield was also replaced with
238-536: Was October 1965, some were sold in 1966 and titled as such, but last model year is 1965. The PV444 was Volvo's first unibody car. Its body structure was influenced by the 1939 Hanomag 1.3 litre, which was purchased and studied by Volvo engineers. It was also the first Volvo in almost 20 years to come with a four-cylinder engine (earlier models had used side-valve straight sixes ). The first PV444s were powered by 40 PS 1.4 L inline-four engines designated B4B , with three main bearings, overhead valves, and
255-535: Was another three years though, until 1947, before series production began. The PV quickly earned a reputation for being strong and rugged, although the design was considered outdated from early on. The PV also competed successfully, in the American SCCA class but also internationally, with a second-hand PV544 memorably winning the Safari Rally in 1965. No PV 544 were produced in 1966. Last production
272-426: Was lubricated via an oil injection system, fed from a separate tank for two-stroke oil, obviating the need to mix oil with gasoline in the fuel tank. The car also used disc brakes at the front, something that was unusual at the time, and the wheels had four studs instead of the five used on the 96 and were of a stronger build, to withstand the extra workload. Saab 93 The Saab 93 (pronounced ninety-three )
289-452: Was supplied by mixing two-stroke oil with the gasoline in the fuel tank at a three-percent ratio. The gearbox had three speeds. In order to overcome the problem of lubrication for the two-stroke engine when the rpm exceeded that required by the throttle setting (owing to the reduction of oil being delivered with the fuel), a freewheel device was fitted. Swedish rally champion, Erik Carlsson , won three Royal Automobile Club rallies in
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