Monthly Archives: March 2013

Extinct Brands Pt2: Saab

We really miss Saab. Isn’t there some crazy Swedish billionaire who could buy the Trollhättan plant, headhunt a dozen Scandinavian engineers and product designers and build a new Saab. And when I say a new Saab I mean a new REAL Saab with aeronautically inspired styling, unusual ignition key position, four wheel handbrake, heated seats with funky headrests, cockpit styled dash and black steelies!

Saab 1960 RAC Rally

Saab 1960 RAC Rally

This is Erik Carlsson’s 1960 RAC Rally winning Saab 96.

Saab 1960 RAC Rally

Saab 1960 RAC Rally

And this is a rare shot of Erik and co-driver Stuart Turner after they took a wrong turn during the rally and ended up power-sliding through the stage door of the London Palladium. Luckily they were dressed for the occasion!

Source: Dove Publishing Ltd

Saab 90

Saab 90

We love later Saabs (though not too late – GM = bad), this model is called the 90 and was a particularly odd car as it was basically a Saab 99 from the nose to the B-post and then all 900. NB wheel colour has been doctored a tad!

Extinct Brands Pt1: Lancia

You have to love Lancia, you have to. It was a brilliant brand; inventive, eccentric and different, but now no more. Here is a lovely little Fulvia to remind you of Ol’ Vincenzo’s greatness. And oh, those steelies!

Lancia Fulvia Coupe Safari

Lancia Fulvia Coupe Safari

Lancia Fulvia Coupe Safari

Lancia Fulvia Coupe Safari

 

Full-Sized: The Mighty Pontiac Catalina Pt3

1963 Pontiac Catalina

1963 Pontiac Catalina

In our third and final (for now) Catalina instalment we present John Mead’s utterly beguiling 1963 Catalina. Could this be the ultimate dual-purpose classic: hubcaps on, it won’t look out of place in any show ‘n shine. Snap the shiny bits off and you have a formidable drag racer.

John races the Catalina in nostalgia and vintage events, and turned a best 1/8th mile ET of 8.94 last season, “not bad for a C/S, 3,790 lb car.” John’s Cat is powered by a 405 h.p. 421” with stock heads, forged flat-top 10.5:1 pistons, a forged crank, forged rods, and a street cam. The induction is a tri-carb setup, and the ignition is stock.

Check out Dragtime News for more info.

Thanks to John.

1963 Pontiac Catalina Black Steelies

1963 Pontiac Catalina

1963 Pontiac Catalina In Show Trim

1963 Pontiac Catalina In Show Trim

 

Full-Sized: The Mighty Pontiac Catalina Pt2

1963 Pontiac Catalina

1963 Pontiac Catalina

The ’63 Cat wasn’t a bad looker either. This particular example is the “Swiss Cheese” special that Pontiac engineers created to keep the Chief’s nose in front of heavy hitters from Ford and Mopar on the drag strips of America. The name comes from the extreme lengths they went to save weight – everything was drilled out to within an inch of its life.

For more info check out to the Mecum Auction site.

Nasa 1963 Pontiac Catalina

Nasa 1963 Pontiac Catalina

NASA also got a slice of the Catalina without hubcaps action. This is a ’63 Convertible used as a tow vehicle for the M2-F1.

Subaru Love Pt2: Wish We Got This Version Of The BRZ

Subaru BRZ Steel Wheels

Subaru BRZ Steel Wheels

baru BRZ Steel Wheels Front

baru BRZ Steel Wheels Front

Apparently Subaru in Japan sell this stripped down version of the BRZ as a track day weapon. It is called the BRZ RA and we want one!

Everything about the spec sheet rings our collective bells including roll cage and four-point racing harness, but the stand out item is the 2 speaker stereo – perfect.

Youngtimer: Audi TT

Audi TT Steel Wheels

Audi TT Steel Wheels

We’ve always liked Audi’s TT and this example in undercoat grey with black steelies is right up our strasse.

Thanks Michael in Florida.