With the Saab 93 A through the night - Rallye Monte Carlo Historique 2022
Thursday, near the Villa Reale in Milan. It's early evening. The teams for the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique are preparing for the journey to Monaco. The Milan Automobile Club takes care of the organization and the accreditation of the participants. Saab 2-stroke power meets at check-in. The 93 A of Steffen Wirth and Alexander Buchholz, behind them a 96 from the Czech Republic. A short exchange, the pasting of the vehicles. At 18.00:XNUMX p.m. we should finally set off towards the Principality. Rally fever is in the air!
With the Saab 93 A through the night
More than 100 historic vehicles are ready for the stage to Monaco. Big brands can be seen. The Italian heroes from Lancia, Fiat and Alfa Romeo do the honors. Of course – Milan and Alfa. A home game. Saab is also represented. The incomparable Swedish brand, for which the great Eric Carlsson took the trophy twice. Porsche must never be missing, nor can the historic rivals with the Mini. After the Saab triumph in 1964, they clinched victory.
Is it symbolic that a Mini is parked next to the 93 A?
A distance of 460 kilometers lies ahead of the teams during the first stage. Through the dark night
The Saab 93 A has no laser light, no night vision device and no fatigue warning system. Let alone ESP or ABS. The Milan - Monaco route is attractive if driven during the day. In the dark night it gets exhausting with a historic Saab.
At 19.23:110 p.m., the starting flag is finally lowered and together with 2 other vehicles, the XNUMX-stroke Saab fights its way through the rush hour traffic in Milan into the darkness. With every kilometer and every hour, it gets lonelier on the streets. The Saab, Steffen Wirth and Alexander Buchholz drive through the night. The two-stroke engine runs like clockwork, Götz Welge with the service car is also on course.
On nights like these, the Saab ghosts travel with you. Rolf Mellde, Erik Carlsson, Greta Molander and Gunnar Ljungström are suddenly on board. What would they say to a 2022 Saab driving in their footsteps in 1957?
The journey through the night ends at 3.00 in France near Gap. The Saab 93 A held out brilliantly, the team can relax. The first 460 km stage is done. But the calm doesn't last very long. Historical motorsport also has something to do with sportiness and challenge. After just a few hours, you continue through the Maritime Alps.
Across the Maritime Alps to Monaco
At 7.38 am, Steffen Wirth's team is already back at the start. The flag is lowered, the Trollhättan two-stroke howls, and off we go through the Maritime Alps. Saab two-stroke power! The spectators are excited. You like the legendary sound of the two-stroke engine, it arouses strong emotions. The small Saab, with its unmistakable design, is generally popular.
There is another stop for the teams in Saint-André-les-Alpes. The sun is shining, the audience interest is immense. The team has to answer questions about the vehicle and give the Saab the little service it needs. In between, the suppliers of the digital stage software explain how to use it to the participants. There must be so much progress, even if the rally is deliberately kept analog. “Digital Average Time Recognizer” is the new hot word to get familiar with.
After a short rest we continue. The two-stroke engine rattles through the Maritime Alps again. The Principality of Monaco is waiting and the Parc-fermé at the port, where all the participants, who have come from three different cities, will meet.
12V or 6V (@ Black Saab)
I don't know in 1957, but in '58 it was 12 volts and the alternator was 160 watts. That might also explain the three headlights. There was simply no electricity for more than one additional person.
Nevertheless, the electrical system of the 93 is proud in the 58 prospectus. Even with good reason. Volvo only switched to 1961 volts in 544 Hump (PV 12) and Amazone ...
I find it incredibly charming at what level and with what frugality sales arguments and competitive advantages were found back then.
Today, when a seller lists heated rear windows, front seats, air conditioning, central locking and power windows, buyers turn on their heels without saying goodbye ...
Revealing - I thought these events were leisurely old man rides. It reads really challenging what Tom is describing.
Which headlights does a Saab from 1957 have? No H1 or anything - 12 volts or 6?
Don't be fooled...
There are also such fancy "scavenger hunts". But also rallies where only the best (shortest) time in each class counts.
A good example is Midsommar in Sweden. Here, the victorious drivers of vintage cars were celebrated, at least in the small circle of fans of this rally and the respective victorious brand, as if current vehicles and drivers had just won the world championship. It's like the car and its driver are the youngest, hottest, and most important shit in the automotive world. The cars are vintage, mind you. Not necessarily the drivers. And some of them are actually incredibly good.
You have to read and understand the regulations. Before that, you can't make any judgments about the driver or the car. The classic car scene is more exciting and complex than Formula 1 😉
Wow, with a 2-stroke, that's another number.
Have fun and a safe journey colleagues!
96 greetings
Robert