BMW isn’t the only automaker sending its vintage wares to this year’s Mille Miglia—Saab is prepared to get in on the action with three classic entries of their own. The Mille is no longer a competitive endeavor—instead it functions as a rolling historical museum—and the event rules stipulate that to participate in the contemporary event, a model needed to have competed in the original race. For Saab, this rule narrowed down its Mille options to their 93A model, which competed in only the 1957 race, winning the 750 cc class.
Saab’s three 93A entries are sourced from the Saab Car Museum in Tollhättan, which helped outfit the cars to the same spec as the 1957 Mille car. The 93 is a small, teardrop-shaped, two-door sedan that originally went on sale in 1955 with the “A” model designation (to be followed by the 93B and F). Saab’s renowned individuality is clearly displayed in the 93, which sports front-wheel drive and a 38-hp, three-cylinder, two-stroke engine with just seven moving parts. Other unusual touches are the radiator mounted facing the firewall instead of the front of the car and rear-hinged doors. While two of Saab’s 93As were already in their museum, the third car was recently (late 2010) sourced from a barn and fully restored at the Saab Museum (you can see the restoration photos here).
The 2011 Mille Miglia begins on May 12th, running in stages over three days during which competitors will recreate the 1000-mile race. The Saab entries will be piloted by Saab and Saab Museum employees.
by blog.caranddriver.com
