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The Saab 92, and the 92001, affectionately known as UrSaab.
The first Hasselblad camera.
The Saab 93.
The first Saab Sonett.
Husqvarna’s Silverpil Motorcycle.
The Saab Catherina.
The Monark Monarscoot.
Electrolux Z70 Vacuum Cleaner.
The Saab 99.
What do all of these things have in common? They were designed by Sixten Sason, Swedish Industrial designer extraordinaire.
Born Karl-Erik Sixten Andersson in 1912, Sason was a prolific designer that seemed to innately know what Saabs needed to look like. Certainly, each of us have a differing view of what makes a Saab a ‘true’ Saab, but one thing is for certain: all of those views were shaped by Sixten Sason in one way or another.
In my view, Mr. Sason was an iconoclast, removing the precedents before developing concepts that redefined products. You can see his truly unique vision in the UrSaab and Hasselblad, enduring symbols of his work. Both are strong departures from those that came before.
Sadly, Mr. Sason passed on just before the Saab 99 was unveiled in 1967. He was just 55 years old. We Saabisti are certainly in his debt.
Some samples of his work:
The Saab 92001, aka UrSaab:
The Monark Monarscoot:
The Saab Catherina (Very Italian-looking. This could be a Swedish Alfa Romeo!):
And, the Saab 99:
Correction made — thanks Eirik!!
7 responses so far ↓
1 cj
// Jun 2, 2007 at 10:47 pm
good stuff! Ilike the bike
2 Carl
// Jun 2, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I nominate Swade! He made it on to the front page of the Boston Globe’s Automotive section today!!
http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2007/06/02/guardian_of_saabs_future/
STEVE SPEAKS!
3 napahlm
// Jun 2, 2007 at 11:51 pm
is it just me, or is the Catherina very AstonMartinSexy looking! i cant believe that saab choose the MFI13 (sonett II) instead of this beauty.
what i want now is a new sonett based on the this design. do it like Fiat did with the 500.
make it a tribute to Sixten Sason.
Pretty please! i sell my soul to get one!
4 ctm
// Jun 3, 2007 at 12:07 am
Yes please, with extra sugar on top, make an iconic little sports car with beautilful ur-Saab lines… And call it Sonett!
5 Eirik
// Jun 3, 2007 at 1:43 am
Is it right to call the 92 Ursaab??
- Ursaab is, as far as I know called 92001, and if you compare it to a regular 92, you will see the difference between them.
- If I’m not mistaking, The Ursaab/92001 is the prototype for the first Saab. And the first mass-produced Saab is the 92.
Or am I wrong?
6 Andy Rupert
// Jun 3, 2007 at 1:59 am
Congratulations, Swade. No doubt Shannon will hire you soon.
Eggs, thanks for the interesting article. I didn’t know anything about the scooter. Maybe you should start a Mystery Car section on your site?
7 eggsngrits
// Jun 3, 2007 at 2:33 am
Good catch, Eirik! Correction made.