Saab Cars: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Saab 9-3 - The Complete Story

NEW

The Saab 9-3 has a complex development history spanning several decades, from its origins in the mid-1990s to its later revival as an electric vehicle under new ownership.
The first-generation model, produced between 1998 and 2002, was closely based on the Saab 900, effectively continuing its design under a new designation. It was manufactured at the Trollhättan plant in Sweden and offered in several body styles, including saloon, hatchback, and convertible.

In 2002, Saab introduced the second-generation 9-3, built on General Motors' Epsilon platform and incorporating a higher proportion of GM-supplied components. This version was produced until 2011 and was available in saloon, convertible, and SportCombi estate variants. Engine options ranged from four-cylinder petrol turbocharged units and diesel engines to a V6 petrol engine, covering both performance and efficiency-focused configurations.

Pages of the book "Saab 9-3 - The Complete Story"

After the end of Saab production under General Motors, the 9-3 platform was later revived by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS). Between 2013 and 2014, and again from 2019 to 2022, a limited number of electric vehicles were produced using the familiar second-generation 9-3 body style, adapted with an all-electric drivetrain.

This book traces the full evolution of the Saab 9-3, covering its development under General Motors, its technical variations, motorsport connections, and its later electric revival. Illustrated with a large number of photographs, it includes material on performance versions such as the Viggen, archival factory images, an interview with rallycross driver Per Eklund, and a foreword by Saab insider Kenneth Olausson.

Product details

Author:	Johnny Tipler
Details:	176 pages, 10.25 x 8.5 x 0.67 in (26 x 21.5 x 1.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2026)
Series:	The Complete Story
ISBN:	9780719846328

Saab Cars 1949 to 2011

NEW

More than a dozen years after production ended in Trollhättan, Saab remains popular with car enthusiasts worldwide. During its 60-year history, Saab became known for aerodynamic design, technical innovation, and solid construction. The brand attracted individualists and creative thinkers.

This full-color guide covers Saab's complete car history. It starts with the 'Ursaab' prototype and the original 92, which entered production in 1949 when the company moved from aircraft manufacturing after the war. The story continues through the final second-generation 9-5 models in 2011, released as the company faced financial difficulties.

Pages of the book "Saab Cars 1949 to 2011"

Individual chapters cover each Saab model, including the 93 and 96 saloons (successful in rallying), the 95 station wagon, and the Sonett sports cars. The book also presents the Saab Caravan and Formula Junior racing car.

Later came the larger 99 and the popular 900 range, with detailed specifications for each version, including the first turbocharged models that became Saab's signature. In 1985, the 9000 moved the brand upmarket through partnership with Fiat, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo.

The guide covers the 1990s and 2000s, when General Motors took control. Bestsellers included the 9-3 and 9-5 ranges, plus the 9-4X, 9-7X, and 9-2X models.

Product details

Author:	Julian Parish
Details:	144 pages, 8.25 x 5.9 x 2.01 in (21 x 15 x 5.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2025)
ISBN:	9781836440321

Saab 92 - 96 V4: The Original Saab - The Complete Story

Launched in 1949 as the Saab 92 before evolving into the 93, 96 2-stroke and 96 V4, this car was in production for thirty-one years. Attracting global admiration and sales, it also excelled in motorsport and by the early 1960s was the most successful rally-car in Europe.
A decline in sales in the 1960s was reversed with the launch of the 96 V4 which resulted in its success continuing into the 1980s.

With over 200 archive and colour photographs, this book provides a new description of the Saab company's original car. It includes detailed biographies of important Saab figures and extensive discussion of the engineering and design decisions that made the car such a success.
There is coverage of the original Saab story in North and South America and a comprehensive review of Saab 92, 93 and 96 motor sport history. Full technical details and specifications and tuning details are given. Finally, there is a chapter on owners' experiences and Saab veteran's recollections.

Product details

Author:	Lance Cole
Details:	208 pages, 10.25 x 8.5 x 0.83 in (26 x 21.5 x 2.1 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200+ b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2022)
Series:	The Complete Story
ISBN:	9780719840173

Saab Celebration - Swedish Style Remembered

Saab has gone, but its cars and its loyal band of owners remain. In this photographic album, internationally known Saab author Lance Cole celebrates all things Saab.
In a collection of over 200 photographic images accompanied by a detailed yet engaging commentary, the book delivers a record of Saab from its first car to its last. The engineering, design, and ethos of Saab's cars across the generations are captured in all their glory.

The author of many Saab articles and several Saab books, this is Lance Cole's new view on Sweden's other car maker - one that really did build cars to a different standard. This book is designed to be a memorial companion for the Saab fan. If you like Saabs, then enjoy this tribute to all things Saab.

Product details

Author:	Lance Cole
Details:	160 pages, 9.8 x 11.2 x 0.79 in (25 x 28.5 x 2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Ltd (GB, 2021)
ISBN:	9781526775238

Saab 96 & V4 (Rally Giants)

The complete story of the front-wheel-drive Saab 96 that made the brand into a rally icon in the 1960s. Superstar driving from Erik Carlsson, his wife Pat Moss-Carlsson and - later - from Stig Blomqvist, all brought real publicity and admiration for a car that always lacked the sheer straight-line performance of its rivals.
Saabs succeeded in events as diverse as the Monte Carlo, Britain's RAC rally, special stage events in every Scandinavian country, and the rough-and-tough Spa-Sofia-Liège Marathon.

The big change came in 1967, when the 96 received the V4, looking almost the same as before, but with a new and more powerful four-stroke Ford-Germany V4 engine. Works cars continued to be competitive in carefully chosen events for many years. It was only the arrival of much more specialised rivals that made them outdated.
Saab, though, was not finished with rallying, as the V4's successors, the much larger and more powerful 99 and 99 Turbo types, proved.
More than any other car of its era, the 96 and V4 models proved that front-wheel-drive allied to true superstar driving could produce victory where no-one expected it.

Product details

Author:	Graham Robson
Details:	128 pages, 7.7 x 8.25 x 0.59 in (19.5 x 21 x 1.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	135 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2018)
Series:	Rally Giants
ISBN:	9781787113329

The Classic Saab 900

This book traces the design, development and production history of the iconic Classic Saab 900 model, manufactured from 1978 to 1993, looking at every variant from the basic single carburetter Saab 900 GL to the blisteringly fast turbocharged Saab 900 Turbo 16S.

This unique car accelerated Saab into the global executive car market, and was its most successful model ever, with more than 900.000 sold across the world.

Today, the model that enthusiasts and casual observers immediately identify as "the Saab" is fast becoming a collector's car, and deservedly so, with good examples fetching premium prices.
This book is an essential reference for all the Classic Saab 900s produced. It covers the design, manufacture and launch of the Saab 900 and traces the various developments, including re-styling and engine modifications as well as the convertible and special edition models from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s.
The book also includes detailed tables with production breakdowns and engine specifications.

Product details

Author:	Richard Horner
Details:	96 pages, 9.25 x 6.5 in (23.5 x 16.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	120 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2016)
ISBN:	9781445653730

Saab Cars - The Complete Story

This book offers a detailed insight into the company's story, from the prototype UrSaab in 1947 to the end of production in 2012. A fitting tribute to the spirit and ethos of Saab design and engineering.
It investigates the history and founding of Saab, and the roots of its advanced aerodynamic knowledge from the company's origins as an aircraft manufacturer. In detail the design and engineering history of Saab's pioneering work in aerodynamics, form, function and safety are explained.
Included are recollections from Saab workers and those on the factory floor. Stunning visual coverage of the Saab models, with rare archive images and design sketches.

Product details

Author:	Lance Cole
Details:	272 pages, 11.4 x 8.9 x 0.87 in (29 x 22.5 x 2.2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	300 color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2012)
Series:	The Complete Story
ISBN:	9781847973986

Saab 99 and 900 - The Complete Story

This book contains a detailed history of the cars that came from the aeroplane maker Saab, whose first car, the 92, set the standard for advanced design epitomized by the 99 and 900. The author delves deep into the cars design and history, and into the core Saab values that they carried into production.
Topics include a detailed design history of the 99 and 900, year-by-year developments, technically detailed engineering overviews, detailed specifications, advice on owning and buying and, finally, coverage of rallying and special models.

Product details

Author:	Lance Cole
Details:	200 pages, 9.8 x 7.7 x 0.59 in (25 x 19.5 x 1.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	8 pages color photos, 100 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2001)
Series:	The Complete Story
ISBN:	9781861264299

La Saab 900 (Top Model)

After starting out in aeronautics, Saab launched into the production of economical cars that recalled the expertise of the engineers: lightness, aerodynamics, safety, rationality...
The small Saabs, although designed for the demands of the Scandinavian climate and roads, began to seduce many motorists around the world.
In 1967, with the presentation of the 99, Saab entered a new era with a modern, competitive front-wheel drive family car with an endearing personality. In 1974, the "combi-coupé" with its three doors combined the lines of a coupé and the modularity of an estate. Then in 1977, Saab unveiled a turbocharged version.

The following year, the 99 was transformed into the 900 to meet new American standards: larger, safer, better equipped, the new Saab was a success despite its high prices. Its turbocharged and multi-valve engines gave it unique performance and character. Its charisma seduced people all over the world and the convertible variant accentuated its power of seduction.
In 1993, production stopped with nearly a million units produced. Its replacement was designed under the aegis of GM, its new owner. This richly illustrated French book describes the whole history of the Saab 900.

Product details

Author:	Aurélien Gueldry
Details:	120 pages, 9 x 8.5 in (24 x 21.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	250 b&w and color photos
Language:	French
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2021)
Series:	Top Model
ISBN:	9791028304096

Saab, les voitures du pays des trolls

Founded in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer under the name Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, SAAB turned to automobile manufacturing in the late 1940s, creating the Saab Automobile division in 1947.
From then on, the brand managed to attract its customers with original creations, including the unusual 92, 93 and 96, while establishing itself as a preferred target for American motorists.

Over the years, SAAB experienced considerable technical growth, despite its financial difficulties, by launching even more powerful models such as the Sonett, the 99 and the legendary 900 Turbo, and thanks to which Saab triumphed in motor racing.
After its merger with Scania (1969) and its takeover by the GM (2000) and Spyker Cars NV (2010) groups, SAAB existed still under the umbrella of the Swedish holding company National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB since 2012.

Pages of the book "Saab, les voitures du pays des trolls"

• Large format reference book from the French ETAI series "Heritage".
• Richly illustrated with more than 350 photos of well-known and lesser-known Saab models, including the 92, 93, 96, 99 and 900 Turbo.
• Brief technical data and production numbers.

Product details

Author:	Xavier Chauvin
Details:	160 pages, 12.2 x 9.25 in (31 x 23.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	300 b&w and color photos
Language:	French
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2010)
Series:	Héritage
ISBN:	9782726889992

Saab 99, 90 & 900 - 1968-1998 (Schrader Typen Chronik)

When an aircraft manufacturer sets out to design automobiles, it shows. The profile of the original Saab from 1947 was suspiciously similar to the cross-section of an airplane wing, and in principle, although of course no longer as clearly recognizable, this basic shape remained current at Saab until the end.

Pages of the book "Saab 99, 90 & 900 - 1968-1998"

"Think differently" was the headline in a brochure from the Swedish manufacturer, and it is precisely thanks to this principle that Saab has become a brand for individualists. In this volume, Martin Gollnick pays tribute to Saab's successful 99 90 and 900 models.

Product details

Author:	Martin Gollnick
Details:	96 pages, 8.7 x 9 in (22 x 24 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	4 b&w and 91 color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2018)
Series:	Schrader Typen Chronik
ISBN:	9783613040779

Saab & Volvo - Klassiker aus Skandinavien (Schrader Motor Chronik)

Saab and Volvo, the two large Swedish car manufacturers, always built cars for individualists and lateral thinkers. This did not always make the economic situation easy for either of them.
But regardless of the economic ups and downs that lasted for decades, both created automotive legends and built idiosyncratic, magnificent and image-conscious cars that were great to advertise - as this wonderful volume in the Schrader Motor Chronicle series proves. A real gem, and not just for Scandinavia fans.

Pages of the book "Saab & Volvo - Klassiker aus Skandinavien"

Product details

Author:	Halwart Schrader
Details:	188 pages, 6.3 x 6.7 in (16 x 17 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	295 b&w and 24 color photos, 50 drawings
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2011)
Series:	Schrader Motor Chronik
ISBN:	9783613033443