SAAB History and Facts
Founded in 1937 as an aeroplane company the initials of SAAB stand for
Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget. This company was founded in Trollhättan,
Sweden.
From 1946 after WW2, the engineering design was applied to motor vehicles resulting in a distinctive SAAB feel. It is often said that driving a SAAB gives one the feeling that one is in a cockpit, rather than the drivers seat of a motor car.
In 1947 the first prototype SAAB was formed, featuring front-wheel drive and a 2 stroke engine. It was aerodynamically shaped, unsurprisingly.
The first production SAAB was released in 1949.
SAAB have always been known for their radicle designs. Early designs featured
3 cylinder engines and tubeless tires - fairly radical at that stage.
SAAB even produced a V4 engine in a sedan that would seat 7 people in 1959.
In 1969 SAAB merged with truck company Scania to be known as SAAB Scania AB.
The SAAB has continued to be at the forefront of automotive ingenuity and continues to sell extremely well in the prestige class that it is in.
Source: Saab Usa
Movies featuring SAABs:
- Swordfish
- Face Off
* Both star John Travolta
Perhaps John Travolta likes SAABs - he is definitely an aeronautical type
of guy.