Saab 92
| Saab 92 | |
|---|---|
1955 Saab 92B
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Saab |
| Production | 1949–1956 |
| Assembly | Sweden: Trollhättan, Västergötland (Trollhättan Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 764 cc Two-stroke I2 (Gasoline) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,470 mm (97.2 in) |
| Length | 3,950 mm (155.5 in) |
| Width | 1,620 mm (63.8 in) |
| Height | 1,430–1,450 mm (56.3–57.1 in) |
| Kerb weight | 765–805 kg (1,687–1,775 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ursaab (Concept) |
| Successor | Saab 93 |
Saab 92 is the first production automobile from Saab. The design was very aerodynamic for its time, with a drag coefficient (cx or cw)) of 0.30. The entire body was stamped out of one piece of sheet metal and then cut to accommodate doors and windows. Full-scale production started December 12, 1949, based on the prototype Ursaab. All of them were of the Deluxe version. A standard version was advertised, but nobody was interested in buying it so no standard versions were produced.
The engine was a transversely mounted, water-cooled two-cylinder, two-stroke 764 cc, 25 hp (19 kW) thermosiphon engine based on a DKW design, giving a top speed of 105 kilometres per hour (65 mph). The transmission had three gears, the first unsynchronised. In order to overcome the problems of oil starvation during overrun (engine braking) for the two-stroke engine, a freewheel device was fitted. The suspension was by torsion bars.
All early Saab 92s were painted in a dark green colour similar to British racing green. According to some sources, Saab had a surplus of green paint from wartime production of airplanes.
Saab's rally history already started two weeks after the 92 was released, when Saab's head engineer Rolf Mellde entered the Swedish Rally and came second in his class.
Only 700 1950 models were made. In 1951, the German VDO instruments were replaced by American Stewart-Warner components.
In 1952 Greta Molander won the 'Coupe des Dames' of the Monte Carlo Rally in a 92, tuned to 35 hp (26 kW). In 1953, the 92B arrived with a much larger rear window and larger luggage space (with an opening lid). It was now available in grey, blue-grey, black and green. In 1954 the Saab 92 got the new Solex 32BI carburetor and a new ignition coil giving 28 hp (21 kW). The US headlights were replaced with Hella units. Another novelty was that a textile roof (semi-cab or cabrio coach) was offered as an option. The colour maroon was also introduced this year. In 1955, it acquired an electric fuel pump and square tail lights installed in the rear fenders. The colours were grey, maroon and a new color, moss green.
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Wikipedia