Built to Honor a Victory: This Saab 93A Tribute Nails Every Detail

A modest Saab with monumental legacy

While many classic rally replicas aim for polish, this 1956 Saab 93A Mille Miglia tribute thrives in authenticity. Currently listed on Bilweb Auctions, this car is more than a nod to a golden motorsport era. It is a carefully restored homage to Carl Lohmander’s victorious class-winning Saab 93 in the 1957 Mille Miglia. For those who know their Saab history, that victory wasn’t just a win—it was a declaration: performance isn’t measured by displacement alone.

With a current bid of 50,000 SEK and a pre-auction estimate of 100,000–120,000 SEK, this 93A may be the most charming piece of underdog motorsport nostalgia on the Swedish market today.

From Stockholm streets to Dalarna’s forests and back again

This Saab 93A was first registered on January 1, 1956. Its original owner, a Mr. Woxblom from Stockholm’s affluent Östermalm district, eventually relocated to Vikarbyn in Dalarna—and the car followed. It remained in central Sweden for decades, passing between owners until it was finally taken off the road.

That changed in 2018. The car was recommissioned after years of being deregistered, and a comprehensive mechanical overhaul followed. While the engine internals (piston rings and bearings) were found to be in good shape, critical components were replaced or restored: brake cylinders, shoes, cables, ignition system, and even a new exhaust. The right front fender and driver’s door were replaced, but the body was left largely original.

Its current owner acquired the car in late 2023 with a very specific vision—to transform it into a faithful tribute to the car driven by dentist-turned-racing-legend Carl Lohmander.

Building a Mille Miglia tribute with heart and restraint

Unlike some over-restored replicas, this 93A retains its original soul. The patina has been preserved wherever possible, even as the car was upgraded to rally-spec visual standards:

• Reupholstered seats at Alfa Bilklädsel
• Rear bumper replaced for improved alignment with period accuracy
• Tikka searchlight and Marchal auxiliary lamps added for rally illumination
• Vintage-style directional indicators and custom “SWEDEN” windscreen banner
• Red wheels and Vredestein tires for authentic period aesthetics
• Repainted luggage compartment, while most of the exterior finish remains delightfully weathered

A Mille Miglia-style license plate and FIVA identity card round out the homage credentials.

The mechanics: two-stroke tech with racing credibility

The Saab 93A was a major evolution from its 92 predecessor. It featured Saab’s first three-cylinder engine, a 748cc two-stroke inline triple delivering around 38 horsepower. By modern standards, that may seem modest. But the combination of light weight, front-wheel drive, and freewheeling gearbox made the car agile and reliable—a perfect match for grueling endurance rallies.

Some of the key highlights include:

• 12-volt electrical system (a notable upgrade in the 1950s)
• Synchronized three-speed gearbox with freewheel mechanism
• Drum brakes all around, restored during 2018 mechanical refresh
• Lightweight construction (under 800 kg curb weight)

While not a performance monster, this car was built to endure—and that’s exactly what it has done.

Rally heritage you can register

This car isn’t just a trailer queen or showroom trinket. It’s roadworthy and registered as of August 2018, with no driving restrictions and full exemption from modern Swedish vehicle inspections and road taxes. The interior reflects both rally prep and driver comfort:

• Restored vinyl and textile upholstery with new foam
• Clean headliner and door cards
• Sabelt seatbelts add a dose of motorsport safety
• Instruments, steering wheel, and controls all in good working order

Mechanically, it starts easily and drives cleanly through the gears. The auction report highlights smooth operation in steering, clutch, braking, and handling—verified during local test drives.

Paint, patina, and presence

The exterior is a celebration of originality. Most of the car wears its original maroon paint, faded but unmolested, giving it unmatched period charm. The glass and chrome are in commendable condition, while accessories like rally lights and stickers add just the right flavor.

Only the trunk has been repainted, while the lower pedal box area shows minor corrosion—not unexpected in a vehicle approaching its 70th birthday.

This isn’t a museum-perfect respray; it’s a rolling tribute with the kind of storytelling surface that concours cars envy.

Nine owners, one mission: preserve Saab history

With nine registered owners over the decades, this Saab has seen its share of hands, but few have had a clearer purpose than its current custodian. By focusing on faithful recreation over modernization, the car strikes a rare balance between nostalgic aesthetics and genuine usability.

It has even been used as a promotional vehicle at the Gärdesloppet (Stockholm’s vintage car parade), flying the flag for Sweden’s motorsport past while functioning as a genuine rally participant.

Included in the sale are Saab-branded blankets, various historical documents, and a digital workshop manual—a thoughtful package for any future owner looking to continue its legacy.

Model overview: what the 93A brought to the table

The Saab 93 was launched in 1956 as a direct successor to the 92B. It marked a major step forward in terms of technology and design:

• Three-cylinder, two-stroke engine (developed in collaboration with German engineer Hans Müller)
• Redesigned front end marketed as “Italian elegance”
• Slanglösa däck (tubeless tires)
• Improved suspension and steering
• More advanced interior with standard clock and fold-flat seating

The first 3,000 engines were actually produced by Heinkel in Stuttgart, Germany. With 52,731 units built between 1956 and 1960, the 93 paved the way for Saab’s global rally reputation.

Carl Lohmander: the dentist who beat the giants

Lohmander’s class victory in the 1957 Mille Miglia is the stuff of Saab legend. Piloting a standard 93A in the Turismo Preparato 750cc class, he and co-driver Harald Kronegård not only finished the grueling event—they claimed first place in class, outperforming Italian exotics and purpose-built racers.

That achievement resonated far beyond Sweden. It showed that Saab could punch well above its weight and earned the brand a firm footing in international motorsport.

This tribute car celebrates that specific moment—not just with stickers and plaques, but with accurate period components and proportions.

Final thoughts: more than nostalgia

There’s a lot of talk in the collector world about provenance, patina, and storytelling. This Saab 93A checks every one of those boxes, while still being mechanically sound, road legal, and historically rooted.

It’s not just a vintage Saab. It’s a Mille Miglia tribute with FIVA backing, wrapped in authentic 1950s texture and Swedish motorsport spirit.

If you’re looking for a show-stopping Saab with a backstory that can rival cars 10 times its value, this might be the most affordable piece of rolling history in Europe right now.

For full listing details and current bid status, visit the official auction page: Bilweb Auctions Saab 93A Mille Miglia