Introduction: Remembering Mr. Saab
On May 27, 2015, Saab lost its greatest ambassador – Erik Carlsson, affectionately nicknamed Carlsson på taket (“Carlsson on the roof”). Ten years later, his influence still defines Saab’s identity.
A new short documentary by veteran TV producer Carl-Ingemar Perstad, known for Trafikmagasinet, together with Saab Car Museum curator Peter Bäckström, brings Carlsson back into focus. Titled “10 Years Without Erik Carlsson – Honoring the Spirit of Mr. Saab,” it is both a tribute and a reminder: Saab’s legacy would not be the same without him.
How a Two-Stroke Driver Became a Global Icon
Erik’s journey began in 1951 as a co-driver. By 1954, he was behind the wheel of a Saab 92, quickly showing a natural flair for handling the quirky, lightweight two-stroke cars. His aggressive but controlled style brought him a factory seat — and soon, world recognition.
Carlsson himself recalled in Perstad’s archives:
“For Saab and for me, the two Monte Carlo victories must be the best. Incredible publicity, and you get so much out of it.”
His back-to-back Monte Carlo Rally wins in 1962 and 1963 — achieved with only around 70 horsepower — became instant legends. They cemented Sweden’s position in global rallying and turned Saab from a niche manufacturer into a household name.
“Carlsson on the Roof” and the Art of Rolling
The nickname “Carlsson on the roof” was not invented by marketers, but by fans. After a crash in 1954, when Astrid Lindgren’s children’s book Karlsson on the Roof was popular, the moniker stuck.
Carlsson laughed when asked about it decades later:
“Maybe I was a little crazier than the others. Sometimes it just happened. But it was fun at the start.”
Rolling over became part of his legend — so much so that a flipped Saab was no embarrassment. Instead, it became proof of how hard he pushed, and how tough the cars were.
Rallying as Saab’s Secret Engineering Lab
Carlsson often stressed that rallying directly improved Saab road cars. When cars overheated in the Alps, larger radiators went into production within weeks. When brakes faded on European tarmac, Saab was among the first in the world to introduce front disc brakes.
“We must have been the fastest in the world to get rally solutions into production. I can’t imagine a big factory doing that.”
In an era before computer simulations, real rallying was the test track, and Carlsson’s feedback shaped generations of Saabs.
Anecdotes That Defined an Era
What made Carlsson more than just a champion was his storytelling. In interviews, he mixed Swedish dialect with English, coining what fans called “Swenglish.”
He remembered training around Trollhättan:
“We hit many chicken houses, hens, even cats. Before Christmas, we drove around giving hay to the farmers so they were happy again — and we could keep training.”
Or during a rally in Småland:
“We needed fuel in the middle of the night. So we left a friend with a jerrycan, sandwiches, and a thermos under a pine tree. Twenty-four hours later, we picked him up after the finish. No problem!”
These stories, half-chaotic and half-comic, became as famous as his victories.
Pat Moss and the Power Couple of Rallying
Carlsson’s marriage in 1963 to Pat Moss, sister of British Formula One driver Stirling Moss, created rallying’s ultimate power couple. Pat herself was an accomplished driver, winning the 1960 Liege-Rome-Liege Rally in an Austin-Healey 3000. Together, they became symbols of international motorsport glamour — a Swedish rally ace and an Englishwoman from motorsport royalty.
Their union further broadened Carlsson’s reach. With Pat, he became more recognized in Britain, and Saab’s reputation grew across Western Europe.
Mr. Saab on Tour: America and Beyond
In the 1960s and ’70s, Carlsson became Saab’s global ambassador. He traveled to the United States, where rallying was little known, but his personality drew crowds. At auto shows, even when Saab had no groundbreaking models, journalists came simply because Carlsson was present.
“If there had been prizes for the best stands, we would have won,” he once joked at a motor show.
His booming presence and honest commentary made Saab’s exhibits lively — sometimes more entertaining than the cars themselves.
The Sensonic Story: Humor as a Weapon
Carlsson’s humor was legendary. At the 1995 launch of the Saab 900 Sensonic, he introduced Peter Bäckström to journalists with a punchline:
“My name is Erik Carlsson. I think you probably know who I am. Today we will see the Sensonic clutch system, with a lot of propaganda from Trollhättan. It is my honor to introduce Peter Bäckström, a new chap from Trollhättan — and I can tell you, he has not convinced me at all so far.”
The audience roared with laughter. Brutal but brilliant, Carlsson made even technical launches unforgettable.
Sausages, Airports, and Everyday Erik
Beyond rallies and PR events, Carlsson was a man of quirks. He loved grilled sausages with sweet mustard, often detouring hundreds of kilometers just to taste one from a favorite kiosk.
At airports, he would strike up conversations with strangers:
“You look strange. Where do you come from?”
What could have been awkward turned into long chats – Carlsson was genuinely curious about people. His ability to connect made him not just Saab’s face, but its soul.
Later Years: From Rally Legend to Convention Star
Even long after retiring, Carlsson remained active in the Saab community. He attended countless Saab Owners Conventions in the US and Europe, delighting enthusiasts with stories that grew funnier with every retelling.
His presence alone drew record crowds. For many fans, shaking Erik’s hand at a convention was as memorable as owning their first Saab.
The Eternal Chairman of Saab Spirit
Carlsson remained on Saab’s payroll until the company collapsed in 2011. For the Saab Museum, he is remembered as the “eternal chairman.”
Bäckström reflects in the documentary:
“He put Trollhättan on the map like no one else. We still live off that today. Thank you, Erik.”
Ten years after his passing, Saab still rides on his legacy — victories, stories, and laughter that no one else could replicate.
Ten Years Gone, Forever Remembered
Carlsson’s life was a blend of rally genius, engineering pioneer, PR showman, and humorist. The new documentary by Perstad and Bäckström ensures that his voice is not lost.
Watch the film here: 10 Years Without Erik Carlsson – Honoring the Spirit of Mr. Saab.
Even now, a decade later, Erik Carlsson remains the true embodiment of Saab — unorthodox, resilient, and unforgettable.
I met Mr.Carlsson in ’81 ,Chuck Cunningham introduced me to him at the LRP control tower. We were all there for the R&T “Nutworks Stars” magazine race. I was 30 yrs old and Eric seemed like a old beat up racing driver, until he got into the 900 Turbo. What a show he put on !