SAAB at Le Mans 1959

[Lazy B'stard]

Quite a tough one for you history bods but worth a shot....

Can anyone help with period reports, photographs, specs, storys or anything related to SAABs attempt at Le Sarthe with the little 2 stroke 93? Any help or info- no matter how small will be greatly appreciated.
 
After a fact finding mission at the weekend and an few E-mails to the organisers we have decided to take one of these wonderful little cars back to Le Mans for the 2010 Le Mans Classic. We have no car as yet and no idea what spec it was built to but love a challenge!!

 If anyone can help please get in touch.

Si

[Christopher]

You could try and get this translated, looks like it mentions engine and speeds. Plus some pictures.

http://www.saabklubben.com/saab_lemans_59.shtml

I asume you tried the ACO. Will they not have details of the entry; team name, drivers, owners, etc. And then start tracking these people down (to see if they are still alive) and collecting details.

[Christopher]

Alternatively, a letter to Motorsport magazine.

I often see cries for help, in the letters page, from people trying to track down a particular cars history to help with restoration, or for information when compiling a book on long forgotten lesser race cars.

A simple letter asking for help and give your contact details might throw up useful info. The magazine has a wide international circulation.

[Lazy B'stard]

Cheers Christopher, good idea, have written to Motorsport this week but had not thought of contacting the ACO. I have some info to go from, it was a factory entry and was pretty close to rally spec with larger fuel tank. Its the gearing thats got me stuck, rally car with standard box will only do about 80mph and i think i have read that it was geared for around 110. 
Thanks for the help mate.

[Steve Pyro]

Si, here's some details I've turned up -

Finished in 12th place (3rd in class)
Number 44
Car - SAAB 93 Sport
Drivers - Sture Nottorp, Gunnar Bengtsson, DNS Tom Brahmer, (reserve)  - all Swedish
Engine - 748cc 3 cyl 2 stroke
Competed in GT 501 - 750 class
Completed 232 laps (3130.973 km)

[Steve Pyro]

Here she is -

[termietermite]

The ACO website has a good search facility
http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/pages/retro_historique_gb.html

[Lazy B'stard]

Cheers you guys. I've found a few bits and pieces today. The car ran faultlessly and used just 2 spare tyres and 1 set of front brake shoes, the only thing they had to do was massage the grease in the CV joints every 4th stop. Car was driven to and from Trollhatten too- My kinda race car!
The search is on for a car to prep now- there is one in the lakes that might be for sale.
What have I got myself into?   

[Nordic]

Good luck!

Two cars were entered in 59
#43 entered by S. A. Hurrell / R. M. North - Saab 93 Sport - driven by Sydney H. Hurrell/Roy North - DNF
#44 entered by Sture Nottorp - Saab 93 Sport - driven by Sture Nottorp/Gunnar Bengtsson (pictured) above in Steves Post


As an aside in 1979 another was entered, I have never seen a picture of the car, and it may not even have existed as it did not turn up. It was entered by   Ecurie 3 Chevrons, and was listed as a  Saab Turbo -  in the GTP class. Heinz Schulthess was down as one of the drivers and I have also seen stig Blomquist as a possible as well.

Anymore info?

[termietermite]

It's referred to here, Nordic
http://www.experiencelemans.com/en-us/dept_158.html

[Lazy B'stard]

Thats interesting- none of my SAAB friends know anything about it. I have Stigs E-mail address at home and see if he can shed any light on things.
 Does anyone know what happened to the other SAAB entry in '59?

[Steve Pyro]

 Does anyone know what happened to the other SAAB entry in '59?

DNF - after 35 laps and 5 hours - reason given as 'Engine'
Drivers were Sydney H. Hurrell, GB and Roy North, GB
Was car number 43.

[Steve Pyro]

Si, it may also be worth contacting Saab's media / press office (now part of GM) in Luton.

http://media.gm.com/gb/saab/en/contact.html

They may be able to dig up some historic info and may even give you a bit of backing for the 2010 Classic.

[Lazy B'stard]

 
Cheers Steve, will give them a try but pretty useless in past when trying to get info about our rally car. There is a SAAB museum in Trollhatten that has a historical department, they are my next port of call. I have also to meet up with a chap from the SAAB owners club next week- they are interested, as is the Western Group who run many SAAB dealerships in NE and Scotland. This looks like its going to get off the ground- scary!   
Would be fun to enter as Ecurie Club Arnage!
 

[Nordic]

It is possible that Sydney Hurrell or Roy North are still around and could help out with pictures etc.

Sydney Hurrell and Roy North were also involved with Lotus in 1960 as drivers of an Elite, so if they are still alive it could be worth contacting the Lotus owners club.