Today’s announcement that Saab has filed for bankruptcy could be the final nail in the coffin for the Swedish car maker, which has been active for more than 70 years.
Although Saab’s recent history has been dogged with financial problems, the company has an illustrious history of automotive innovation. Here’s a potted history.
1937
Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget is founded to manufacture military aircraft in the industrial town of Trollhättan.
1945
Saab diversifies into cars. During the next two years, prototypes 92.001 (known as the Ursaab) and 92.002 commence testing.
1949
Production of the 92 starts. It is powered by a 764cc, twin cylinder, two-stroke engine, driving the front wheels.
1955
Saab 93 replaces the 92. It has a 748cc three-cylinder engine, developing 33bhp, and new frontal styling and suspension.
1959
Saab’s first station wagon, the Saab 95, is launched. The engine is enlarged to 841cc and features a fold-down, rear-facing third row of seats, making it a seven-seater.
1960
The Saab 96 saloon is unveiled. Saab Great Britain Ltd is established.
1966
Saab's first four-stroke engine, a Ford-built V4, is introduced in the Saab 96 and 95. The old two-stroke engine is taken out of production when the V4 becomes a success.
1967
The Saab 99 saloon is premiered in Stockholm. It is the first all-new model since the Saab 92-96. Power is provided by a 1.7-litre four-cylinder engine developed for Saab by Ricardo and built by Triumph in England.
1968
Saab merges with truck company Scania.
1974
The Saab 99 range of two and four-door saloons is expanded with the launch of a three-door hatchback, marketed as ‘Combi Coupé’, which lives on in various guises until 2002.
1976
The one-millionth Saab car comes off the line at Trollhättan. A five-door 99 appears and Saab creates a sensation by revealing an innovative turbocharged engine will be installed in the 99 in 1977.
1978
The Saab 900, an evolution of the 99, goes on sale. Production of the Saab 95 ceases. Saab concludes a collaboration agreement with Fiat/Lancia. The two firms co-develop the Type Four chassis, which produces the Alfa Romeo 164, Fiat Croma, Saab 9000 and Lancia Thema.
1980
Production of the 96 ends, marking the conclusion of the 92/93/95/96 family, after 30 years on the market and a total production run of 730,607 units.
1984
The Saab 9000 five-door luxury car is revealed. It is only the third all-new model to come from Saab. Annual Saab production exceeds 100,000 cars for the first time.
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