Saab Monster
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The Saab Monster was an experimental car made by Saab in 1959. This project was part of Saab's flirtation with motorsport and the need to derive more power from their two-stroke powerplant. It consisted of a 'Toreador Red' Saab 93 with all excess weight removed. Even the bonnet was replaced by a plastic one, in order to reduce weight. The engineers then installed two transverse 748 cc two-stroke, three cylinder engines, in a 'split in-line' configuration, driving the front wheels through a modified clutch and gearbox assembly. There were two distributors and an enlarged radiator.
This arrangement gave the car about 138 bhp and a top speed of 196 km/h (achieved at Såtenäs airfield). This was a speed record but was not recognised on account of discrepancies in scrutineering and recording. The low weight and the 'drop' or aerofoil shape of the body gave the rear end a tendency to become airborne when approaching the top speed. The amount of torque, coupled with front-wheel drive, also gave rise to severe understeer. It was the combination of immense power and poor handling that gave rise to the name 'Monster'. The project was terminated because it proved impractical.
The restored Saab Monster is now on display in the Saab museum in Trollhättan.
In the early 1970s SAAB and Sportpromotion built a similar vehicle powered by two V4 engines giving 144 hp. The car was also designed to run backwards.[1]
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