An exciting car from a car manufacturer that was long at the forefront when it came to the development of family cars. This particularly applied to driving characteristics and design.
Saab started in 1937 as a manufacturer of aircraft for the Swedish armed forces. After the peace in 1945, the need for aircraft decreased so that new opportunities and markets had to be considered. A war with great destruction meant that the need for cars and transport was very great. Saab, along with many other manufacturers, saw a large market in the following years, and decided to start car production. In the early days, a small family car was produced with the name Saab 92. It was only the beginning of a number of well-known and smooth-driving car models from the Swedish car factory. Saab had a difficult start as a car manufacturer right after the war. Access to all types of materials was limited at the end of the 1940s. But it eventually became a car, even though production was relatively small at the start. The car had good driving characteristics which made Saab a good name among motor sports enthusiasts right from the start.
Saab 96 sports
The successor to the Saab 93 was the model with the designation 96. It was produced between 1960 and 1980. The new model was very similar to its predecessor but had a larger rear window and slightly better space for passengers and luggage. The changes to the bodywork gave the car a far more modern look. Here there was also a sporty version with the designation "Saab 96 sport". This was a model with more horses and better equipment. The front seats were thick and very comfortable, while the back seat became a small bench. The car was tailored for motor sports athletes and others who liked to drive sporty cars. This was a real winning car both on the track and on the road. The pictures here show the latest version with a new and extended front section. It was also the last model with a 2-stroke engine. When Saab replaced the old 2-stroke engine with a new V4 engine, the car lost much of its distinctive character and the sports version (also called "Monte Carlo") disappeared in 1968.
Data Saab 96 Sport
Length: 417 cm
Width: 159 cm.
Height: 147 cm.
Top speed 155 km/h.
Engine: 3 cylinders 2 stroke – 841 ccm, 55 hp
Saab 96 Sport. Extra instrumentation and thickly padded front seats.Saab SportAdvertising from JJ Jernes Bilforretning in Kristiansand
Tønsberg MC, Tønsberg Automobilklubb and Corvette Club Norway department Vestfold, Telemark and Buskerud exhibited their historic donations inside the Fix Arena at Eik outside Tønsberg.
In Tønsberg, visitors could get to know the Troll car brand. Not just one, but two. I have always thought that the project ran aground because the founders got in over their heads, but Troll was made for low-series production and an emerging Norwegian car market. It was the Norwegian authorities that halted the project, apparently due to trade policy reasons.
For the first time I got to see the Volkswagen type 81, - a rare van version, apparently based on the bubble. From what I have been able to find out, the car was constructed shortly after the war. Volkswagen used the Kübelwagen's undercarriage and the front part of the bobla. The taillights originate from the T1 Transporter. A bit on principle "you take what you have". I'm sure the engineers who later developed the first Variant must have had the Type 81 in mind. This is a very rare model - and it can be found in Tønsberg!
1954 Volkswagen Type 81. Norwegian history. Note the taillights. Taken from T1 van and pickup.
Bad photo conditions
Cars on display in sports halls never look good when photographed. At least not with automatic cameras. The lighting means that the cameras struggle to find the correct focus. That's why I'm going to show cars that were parked outside. There was a lot to see there too. You know you've arrived at a motor show when you park next to two stroked Ford V8s from the 30s.
2 Ford V8s.Beautiful interior too in this 1940 Ford V8.
Corvettes
On the way to the hall I passed some great Harley motorcycles. Many of the visitors had taken the trip on two wheels. I think some of the most polished bikes probably belonged to members of the organizing club Tønsberg MC. Likewise the beautiful Corvettes that were strategically parked in the area.
2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 (2005-13).2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C5 (1997-2004).1977 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe C3 (1968-82).Audi R8 4,2 FSI
The R8 is an eye-catcher
Cars with a visible mid-mounted engine are difficult to pass without taking a closer look. One could say that the Audi R8 is Lamborghini with Audi rings. The mid-mounted engine on this car, however, is Audi's own 4,2 liter FSI V8. Later models have Lamborghini's V10 engine. Although, what is Audi and what is Lamborghini can be difficult to determine when the companies are under the same umbrella.
Audi R8 4,2 FSI V8 – 420 HP.1959 Chevrolet Parkwood, based on Belair.
Amcars, of course
Outside stood shipowner Lorentzen's magnificent Humber Super Snipe. With its panoramic windows, it looks American but is British. You can see that inside it is the British school that applies. There were several nice Amcars, too. Some came and some left. The Chevy Parkwood is not something you see every day. This 1959 model is the Belair station wagon. It has 3 rows of benches, 2 facing forward and one facing backwards. I think it is possible to cram 9 people into this cruiser.
Save the vinyl roof!
I also stop at this 1969 model Catalina. I'm sure I've seen this before, but I can't remember where or when. I like the color combination, silver with black vinyl roof. From my own experience, I know that rust can easily appear under the vinyl roof. This roof appeared to have been re-laid in recent times. Vinyl roofs were a popular option in the late 60s and right up until 1980, especially on American and American-inspired models such as Ford and Opel, - and all the Japs models sold in the United States. I don't see a comeback for vinyl roofs on new cars, but I hope that old car owners take the time and money to replace existing vinyl roofs. I'm sure they can still be obtained from one warehouse or another.
1969 Pontiac Catalina Ventura.Vinyl roof – previously popular extra.1967 Saab Sport (two-stroke).
Saab Sport
In the 60s, a red Saab 96 Sport was a real dad racer. The 850cc two-stroke produced 56 HP and had a separate oil tank for the two-stroke oil. Externally, it stood out with decorative rings on the wheels, additional decorative strips at the bottom of the sides, as well as "Saab Sport" on the boot lid. In the USA, the Saab Sport was marketed under the exotic name "850 Monte Carlo". The standard model had 42 horses in 1966. The new front, the "long nose", came in 1965. That was the kind of car I learned to drive in. Four gears on the steering wheel and freewheel. In the turns, all you had to do was steer and give full throttle, - even when you came in a little too fast. Did you hesitate, it went straight ahead, thank you and goodbye...
1964 Cadillac Coupe Deville.
One should perhaps be careful in choosing the most beautiful Cadillac. In my opinion, the 1964 Cadillac Deville has the finest proportions and fins that are just right, without being vulgar – well, maybe a little…
And as for the exhibition inside the hall, it was fantastic. Several great Corvettes, some extremely rare cars, some with local history, some fun, not to forget the MC department.
