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For most of us, this is a rhetorical question — naming just about anything “Snow Weasel” would not only be ridiculous, it wouldn’t even be a known option.
But, we aren’t Finnish, we aren’t in 1985 anymore, and we, for the most part, are weasel-free. (I’ve got my doubts about a couple of you.)
In 1985, a Finnish Saab dealer entered a competition sponsored by a Finnish magazine to show how inexpensive it can be to modify a base model car for a more customized driving experience. Scan-Auto started with the Saab 90, a car that was sold only in Northern Europe and was essentially the front portion of the Saab 99 and the rear portion of the classic Saab 900 two-door sedan/saloon. They named the modified Saab 90 “Lumikko”, which means “Snow Weasel”.
I am not making this up. They named the thing “Snow Weasel”.
One the plus side, the modified Saab 90 won the competition, which resulted in a small run of orders — they produced ten of the cars according to the only source that I can find. The resulting modified 90 is quite a looker, as you can see.
The cars were not turbocharged, nor were they particularly well-equipped — this was a competition to explore the possibilities of low-budget motoring. Presumably, they were 2.0l 8-valve, 4-speed cars with standard equipment. The Lumikko added the Aero wheels, body kit, spoiler and the special all-white paint scheme.
Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction, let me tell you.
15 responses so far ↓
1 swade
// Dec 16, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Now how awesome would it be if there were still one of the ten driving around in good condition today? I’d LOVE to see that.
Great find!
2 Pika
// Dec 16, 2007 at 9:24 pm
http://www.lihikset.net/images/kuuppa/rare-saab.htm
3 saabyurk (Ted Y)
// Dec 17, 2007 at 12:27 am
Looks a little better than this Studbaker snow weasel — won’t go places it will though.
4 saabyurk (Ted Y)
// Dec 17, 2007 at 12:28 am
Duh, Studbaker –> Studebaker.
5 riku1100s
// Dec 17, 2007 at 2:49 am
The name ‘Lumikko’ (finnish for weasel)contains the word ‘Lumi’ (finnish for snow), which probably was intended to refer to the all-white exterior of the car.
Since this was a non-export version it wasn’t a problem unless you tried to translate the name… (as Chevy Nova etc)
Funny, though.
It is funny. Read this about the Nova. EnG.
6 eggsngrits
// Dec 17, 2007 at 3:08 am
Riku or Pika: could one of you help us out with the translation of the words on the picture?
Additionally, do you have any additional information on the Lumikko?
Thanks, Mike.
7 riku1100s
// Dec 17, 2007 at 3:19 am
Eggs,
if you mean the ‘Tervetuloa joulutorille’, it translates to ‘Welcome to the Christmas Market’. (referring to the Saab/Scania accessories in the small pictures – and the candles&stars, of course)
Thanks Riku!! EnG
8 TimJ
// Dec 17, 2007 at 7:35 am
I searched wikipedia for “Lumikko” and the English version of the article describes the Least Weasel:
“Its fur is reddish-ginger, brighter than that of most other weasels, with white belly fur; in the northern parts of its range it moults to pure white in winter, as camouflage against the snow (which is why it goes by the name of Snow Weasel in some northern regions, and is called Snow Mouse in Norway and Sweden).”
Uh, thanks Tim, but I was hoping for more information on the car. EnG
9 Pika
// Dec 17, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Finnish Saab club’s magazine Saabisti had an article about the models made only in Finland and there was a mention that it took almost a year to sell these 10 “Snow weasels.” It also mentions that one of the cars, with very low mileage, is archieved somewhere by former sales personel.
10 eggsngrits
// Dec 17, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Wow, fascinating that they couldn’t sell these! I wonder if the name had something to do with it? Certainly, they weren’t that ugly by any stretch. Perhaps they were priced too high? I’m very curious now.
11 riku1100s
// Dec 18, 2007 at 12:29 am
My 0,02 c theory:
The 90 was essentially an old man’s car (low specs and a tired single carb engine) and never a good seller.
The long tail didn’t make any good to the 99’s proportions, the 99 itself being rather long in teeth at the time.
When it was pimped up (don’t know if the word existed back then), it still didn’t appeal to young buyers and probably it was too flashy to the elderly ones.
Pricewise the cheapest 2-door 900 wasn’t far away, either.
I don’t know what the price for the weasel was but it could have done its part, too.
12 eggsngrits
// Dec 18, 2007 at 1:42 am
Wow. Great info, Riku!
Yes, American auto manufacturers have gone down that road many times themselves — Chevy Lumina Euro, Buick Century T-Type (ugh!), and the various K-car derived garbage from Chrysler come to mind.
I see. Again, great information!
13 Pika
// Dec 18, 2007 at 3:11 am
The idea of the contest was to use extra 10 000 FIM (apr. 1600 euros nowadays) at most to equip a standard car. Basic Saab 90 2D cost little more than 80 000 FIM (12 800 euros). Maybe that gives some clue about the final price of Lumikko. Btw, Cheapest Saab 900 cost little less than 100 000 FIM (16 000e) in 1985. I think Riku is just right: Saab 90 wasn’t very interesting car no matter how sporty they pimped the weasel. It was reliable, basic car for people who wanted simplicity and practicality, and it didn’t even try to be nothing more (except Lumikko).
There was one more little and funny detail in Lumikko. Namely the Lumikko badge itself. It was taken from Lumikko cold compressors (used in trucks) that were sold by Scan Auto too
14 eggsngrits
// Dec 18, 2007 at 6:13 am
Again, great info guys!
Interesting little morsel of Saab history.
15 Pika
// Dec 18, 2007 at 6:53 am
Riku said that 90’s long tail didn’t do any good. Well, did you know that first suggestion that came from Uusikaupunki was that Saab 90 should have it’s front taken from 900 and tail from 99… Sten Wennlo liked the idea but thought it would be too much like 900 so it must be done other way. Think what kind of 90 we might have today