A meeting of Saab minds in Borås
Two years ago, the workshop TB Performance AB in Borås, known for restorations, tuning, and bespoke builds, received an unexpected message. A collector named Fredrik reached out after watching their Saab 92 video, offering something far rarer: a Saab 93B De Luxe.
The meeting that followed quickly turned into more than just a transaction. What began as a conversation about a potential purchase evolved into a tour through one of Sweden’s most remarkable private Saab collections. Fredrik and his father had spent decades gathering rare models – from two-stroke Sonetts to early 93s—building a shrine to Trollhättan’s engineering ingenuity.
Watch the first video here, featuring the visit to Fredrik and his father’s collection and the initial purchase of the Saab 93B (Swedish with CC translation available on YouTube):
The Saab 93B: more than an intermediate step
Produced between 1956 and 1960, the Saab 93B marked a pivotal evolution in Saab’s postwar lineup. It refined the pioneering Saab 92 formula, offering a roomier body, improved aerodynamics, and the now-iconic three-cylinder two-stroke engine.
Fredrik’s car had already seen some careful upgrades in the 1990s:
- Disc brakes borrowed from a later Saab V4, dramatically improving safety.
- A four-speed gearbox instead of the original three, lowering engine revs and making long-distance cruising more bearable.
- An original-style sliding sunroof, a feature so uncommon on early Saabs that only a handful of 92/93s are known to exist with it.
The result is a car that remains true to its 1950s origins while offering usable, confidence-inspiring performance.
Imperfections that tell a story
Despite its strengths, the 93B De Luxe had a few quirks when TB Performance acquired it. The paintwork carried imperfections dating back to its 1990s restoration, possibly due to a poorly executed wet sanding before respray. For perfectionists, that meant compromises. But for drivers, the car retained an authentic, solid presence—good enough to show at meets, yet still a candidate for further refinement.
Fredrik’s honesty about the car’s past ownership added to its character. The Saab had once been parked outdoors for years, its beauty dulled by neglect, only to be brought back to life by enthusiasts unwilling to let it fade away.
Why the 93B stands apart
What makes the Saab 93B more than just a stepping stone to the later 96 are details that Saab fans recognize immediately:
- The small headlamps paired with the wide “shark-nose” grille, creating one of Saab’s most distinctive front-end designs.
- Suicide doors, phased out later for safety reasons but beloved for their period charm.
- The balance of vintage simplicity and drivability once mechanical upgrades—gearbox, brakes—are added.
It’s a car that bridges eras, still rooted in Saab’s aviation-inspired beginnings yet pointing toward the practical, innovative family cars Saab would soon perfect.
The collection behind the sale
While the 93B itself was a highlight, the real story lies in the Saab collection Fredrik and his father built together.
Among the rarities:
- A two-stroke Saab Sonett I, one of just 258 produced, freshly restored after years in Missouri.
- A Saab Sport 850 with rally pedigree, complete with unique seating and performance upgrades.
- An exceptionally rare Saab 93 with factory-installed sunroof, one of perhaps only four surviving examples.
- A GT750 Grand Turismo, the direct forerunner of the Saab Sport, reportedly once gifted to Dutch royalty.
This wasn’t simply a garage – it was a living archive of Saab history, where every car carried both mechanical intrigue and personal meaning.
From garage relic to Borås project
After securing the 93B, TB Performance quickly set about preparing it for the next stage of its life. Their follow-up video documented a full walkthrough of the car, examining body condition, upholstery, engine bay, and driving dynamics.
Key findings included:
- A sound, rust-free chassis—a rarity among 93s, which often suffer extensive corrosion.
- Original upholstery re-trimmed in Poland, showing period-correct materials and style.
- A three-cylinder two-stroke engine running smoothly after Fredrik’s careful repairs.
- Minor interior wear and sun-fading, offering scope for sympathetic improvements without requiring a full strip-down restoration.
Watch the second video here, showcasing TB Performance’s detailed introduction of their Saab 93B (Swedish with CC translation available on YouTube):
Behind the wheel: character intact
Driving impressions were telling. The car retained the quirky freewheel system that defined Saab’s early two-stroke philosophy, allowing the engine to disengage on overrun. It still demanded careful shifting, with its unsynchronized first gear. And yet, on the open road, the little Saab pulled eagerly, its distinctive two-stroke soundtrack drawing smiles from bystanders.
Compared with Fredrik’s fire-breathing tuned examples, this 93B was gentler, quieter, and more discreet—the kind of car that could slip through Swedish villages without drawing noise complaints, but still deliver joy to those behind the wheel.
The Saab community connection
Perhaps the most enduring part of this story is not mechanical but human. The sale of the 93B forged a bond between two different Saab worlds:
- Fredrik and his father, lifelong collectors preserving Saab’s rarities with meticulous dedication.
- TB Performance AB, younger enthusiasts restoring and showcasing classics for a new audience.
Together, they represent the continuity of Saab culture: the knowledge of the older generation passing to younger hands, ensuring that cars like the 93B remain relevant, visible, and appreciated.
A 93B that carries more than history
The Saab 93B De Luxe from Borås is more than just another vintage car changing owners. It’s a story of passion, preservation, and community—values that have always defined the Saab world.
From its rare sunroof to its upgraded brakes, from the imperfections in its paint to the unmistakable hum of its three-cylinder engine, this car embodies the real-world complexity of keeping Swedish automotive heritage alive.
And thanks to both Fredrik’s generosity and TB Performance’s enthusiasm, the Saab 93B now enters a new chapter—still running, still cherished, and still reminding us why Trollhättan’s smallest cars left such an outsized mark on automotive history.
