Gunnar A. Sjögren
Gunnar A. Sjögren | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1920 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Died | 1996 |
| Occupation(s) | Engineer, illustrator, author |
| Years active | 1941–1980s |
| Known for | Work with Saab Automobile; author of The SAAB Way - the first 35 years of Saab cars, 1949–1984 |
Gunnar A. Sjögren ("GAS"; 1920–1996) was a distinguished Swedish engineer associated with Saab Automobile and the author behind The SAAB Way - the first 35 years of Saab cars, 1949–1984.
Biography
Born in Stockholm in 1920, Sjögren spent his formative years in the northern city of Umeå, Sweden. During this time, he cultivated a strong interest in sketching various vehicles including cars, trains, aeroplanes, and boats, eventually focusing exclusively on automobiles—a passion that endured throughout his lifetime.
Following his completion of high school, he dedicated a year to working in an engineering workshop specializing in the production of trolleybuses. Subsequently, he enrolled at an engineering college in Örebro to pursue his ambition of mastering automotive technology and entering the car industry. A highlight of his academic journey was an essay penned during high school titled "About cars and car makes," which narrowly missed a perfect score due to a minor spelling mistake—writing "Orient" with a lowercase "o."
On December 1, 1941, Sjögren secured a position as a draughtsman at General Motors in Stockholm after submitting his portfolio alongside his job application. He later transitioned to the advertising department, where he created illustrations for the diverse range of GM vehicles marketed within Sweden.
In his leisure time, he contributed drawings to automotive publications and quickly became a regular contributor for Sweden’s "Motor" magazine. His combined skills in writing and illustration earned him the role of editor for "GM-Revyn," General Motors’ customer magazine. It was during the autumn of 1946 that he purchased his first automobile—a grey 1946 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Sport Sedan (model 2103).
After thirteen years with GM, Sjögren opted to become a freelancer, undertaking projects from advertising agencies and magazines. However, after five years of irregular freelance work, he chose to return to the corporate environment. His focus was set on joining one specific company: Saab. Fortune smiled upon him when Saab advertised for an illustrator position, prompting Sjögren to relocate to Saab’s headquarters in Linköping in late 1959.
Association with Saab
From that point onward, Sjögren remained devoted to Saab, relocating as needed alongside the company’s passenger car division—from its initial base in Södertälje to its current site in Nyköping, approximately 60 miles south of Stockholm.
At Saab, Sjögren played a significant role not only in crafting the advertising materials promoting their vehicles but also as an active participant in design and color scheme advisory committees.
Throughout his tenure, he amassed extensive documentation about Saab automobiles, encompassing their design principles and marketing approaches aimed at engaging potential buyers. This effort established him as a repository of invaluable knowledge about Saab cars and made him a pivotal figure behind the scenes.
Renowned for his automotive expertise, Sjögren possessed the remarkable ability to accurately render sketches of most major vehicles from the past four or five decades—especially those produced by Saab or General Motors—without hesitation.
Other pursuits
Although Gunnar Sjögren’s passion for automobiles was intense and all-encompassing, he cultivated deep expertise and enthusiasm in various other areas. As an avid admirer of nature, he made it a point to familiarize himself with the Latin terminology of plants, as well as the local flora and fauna he encountered. His skill extended to rendering these subjects through distinctive and precise line illustrations. Sjögren also explored painting natural landscapes, venturing into the medium of oil paints. Beginning in 1975, he became a dedicated stamp collector, meticulously arranging his collection on custom-designed sheets that combined artistic presentation with informative commentary. Among his indoor pastimes that complemented his primary focus were listening to classical music, particularly favoring the Vienna school, as well as enjoying a pipe or cigar alongside a fine glass of wine or Scotch whisky. He had little interest in sports, entertainment shows on TV, or popular music. Upon reaching 60 years of age, Sjögren chose to retire from Saab but continued to engage with the company occasionally—most notably by authoring "The Saab Way." Although retirement allowed him ample time for his diverse hobbies, his enduring connection to automobiles suggested he still had a strong affinity for gasoline running through his veins.