Rolf Mellde

Rolf Mellde (1922 – March 2009) was an engineer who specialized in performance engines and also a car racing enthusiast.

Mellde's grandfather August Johansson built one of the first cars in and sold it to Lars Magnus Ericsson. Mellde's father, Evald Johansson, taught car mechanics at a school in Stockholm. Following his father, Mellde started drawing turbo compressors and diesel engines at the age of ten.

After finishing his basic education, Mellde studied thermodynamics for two years at the Stockholms Tekniska Institut (STI) under Folke Mannerstedt (race driver and engine designer) and Nils Gustafsson. His first job was at Bergbolagen in Lindesberg that made engine powered inspection trollies. After that he worked two years at Skandiaverken in Lysekil working with two stroke boat engines.

Mellde started working at SAAB in September 1946 and was put in charge of engine development.

In 1948, he started his competition career in a DKW in Skarpnäck. When he became head of testing, he suggested that SAAB participate in automotive competitions to show off SAAB's engines. In 1950, SAAB entered the Rikspokalen and won. SAAB won eight times up to the final Rikspokalen in 1961.

In the 1960s it became harder to sell two stroke cars and Rolf Mellde went ahead with his idea to test a four stroke engine. They had tested several four strokers and the one that was best was the Ford V4. the board were invited to drive a test car but none of them wanted to. Tryggve Holm even thought the idea of a SAAB with a Ford engine was absurd. Lars Brising refused to state his opinion. The Saab management instead wanted him to continue working with the Saab 99.

...
Wikipedia