Saab Toad
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 1, 1945 |
| Headquarters | Trollhättan , Sweden |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Saab Toad, known as Paddan in Swedish, was a prototype vehicle developed by Saab Automobile in 1966. It served as a test platform for the new chassis, drivetrain, and engine intended for the upcoming Saab 99 model.
Background
On 2 April 1964, coinciding with Gudmund's day in Sweden, after extensive preparatory work, the Saab board initiated Project Gudmund.[1][2][3] This initiative aimed to create a larger replacement for the Saab 96. The resulting vehicle, the Saab 99, was designed by Sixten Sason,[2] and officially presented in Stockholm on 22 November 1967.[1][4]
Overview
The primary motivation behind this project was to maintain confidentiality throughout the development of the Saab 99, which featured the company’s first major body redesign since its initial models launched in 1947. To achieve this, the Toad utilized a Saab 96 body shell, which was sufficiently long but required an increase in width by approximately 20 centimetres (7.9 in).[5] This modification involved slicing the body longitudinally and inserting a 20 cm steel spacer. The seams were visible on both the windscreen (windshield) and rear window.
Adjustments to the bonnet (hood) and grille were made differently to preserve the symmetrical placement of central features, as depicted in photographs. Beneath the bonnet, the inline four-cylinder engine destined for the Saab 99 was installed; this engine was developed collaboratively by Triumph and Saab.
It was assumed that the broadened body would go unnoticed on Swedish roads, where numerous Saab 96 vehicles were commonly seen. This ruse was effective for some time until test drivers allowed a grey Toad to be trailed by a similarly colored Saab 96, revealing the size discrepancy clearly to observers.[6]
A total of four Saab Toad prototypes were constructed; only one remains today, painted dark gray. This surviving vehicle is exhibited at the SAAB museum located in Trollhättan, Sweden.[5][7]
Post-Saab Toad
Additional refinement was applied to the SAAB Daihatsu, a prototype car showcasing a new body design but carrying the "Daihatsu" emblem to disguise its identity from the press as an evolving SAAB model. This particular vehicle is exhibited at the SAAB Museum located in Trollhättan.
Literature
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lindh 1987, p. 135.
- ↑ Digital sources often inaccurately state 1965.
- ↑ Lindh 1987, p. 140.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lindh 1987, p. 137.
External links
- Saab Toad at the Saab Museum