What is this Saab? - Saab Forums

Samir · #1 12-15-2009, 10:44 PM

This is what it says on the nameplate, and this is a picture of the car.

I'm trying to help a friend tasked with discovering the history of this car. The only documentation we have says it's a "Saab powered Mid-1960's Prototype Formula Race Car with new chassis, custom fuel cell, Hillebrand Center Lock Indy car wheels with original tires, and alloy bodywork re-engineered by Hendrick Motorsports."

There's a lot of pictures of numbers stamped on the engine, suspension, and other components. Anyone have a clue? Any feedback appreciated.

Roto · #2 12-16-2009, 09:11 AM

I'm going to guess that the plate means that the engine is out of a saab 96, but that's about the only thing that hints to its relationship to Saab. Please keep this thread updated if you find more info, this is a fascinating car.

Samir · #3 12-16-2009, 09:54 AM

Thank you very much for the feedback!

The engine seems like a 3 cylinder carbureted flat-head engine. Was this what was in the Saab 96?

Roto · #4 12-16-2009, 10:55 AM

Yes! That look like the "96 sport" model engine.

Samir · #5 12-16-2009, 11:10 AM

Cool! Looks like this is a start.

Do you think this is a one-off racer or a replica?

Roto · #6 12-16-2009, 12:41 PM

I would go with a "one-off", but I have no idea about it at all. This is a very cool car. Where was it found? Who owns it? Whatever it is, it's a cool piece of Saab history that I would love to see with my own eyes one day.

Samir · #7 12-16-2009, 11:08 PM

This car currently resides at the Davidson Center for ****e Exploration at the U.S. ****e and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. It is on display, and I don't believe there is any admission charge to see it. It is also available for purchase (hence why we're trying to find out more about it).

Roto · #8 12-17-2009, 07:31 AM

I might have to take a roadtrip and look at it before it's bought. For some reason I think that is something original and not a replica.

Roto · #9 12-17-2009, 07:40 AM

Apparently your car was auctioned off in atlanta in 2006. May be loosely related to Saab Quantum iv?

Samir · #10 12-17-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roto

I might have to take a roadtrip and look at it before it's bought. For some reason I think that is something original and not a replica.

My thoughts exactly. There's just so many angles of the car documented in the pictures and photographed serial numbers on the various parts. I don't see why these were photographed unless they were originals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roto

Apparently your car was auctioned off in atlanta in 2006. May be loosely related to Saab Quantum iv?

Where did you find this information? It does look very close to the car in that picture: