In Memoriam: Erik Hilding Carlsson – Mr. Saab (1929 – 2015)

Erik Hilding Carlsson, born on March 5, 1929 in Trollhättan, Sweden, was known by two indicative nicknames among motoring enthusiasts, Mr Saab and “Carlsson on the roof“, and both nicknames are related to the history of the Saab company.

The gentleman from the roof

At first, he got the more recognizable nickname “Mr. Saab” thanks to the fact that throughout his career he exclusively drove cars from his native Trollhättan. In fact, he once tried behind the wheel of the legendary German car Volkswagen Beetle, but it did not suit his driving style.

He got the other nickname ‘Carlsson on the roof‘ (English ‘on the roof’, Swedish ‘Carlsson på taket‘) because of his aggressive driving style, which on quite a few occasions led him to exactly that position – flipping the car onto the roof. However, it is understood that flips on the roof, no matter how attractive they are, will not ensure the status of a legend for anyone – Carlsson, and he certainly is a legend, he gained such a status by winning the most famous world rallies.

The Cup is Mine

Among these victories, those at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1962 and 1963, and a triple victory at the British RAC Rally, stand out. ‘When we won in 1960‘, Carlsson recalled on one occasion, ‘The organizers told us that if we won again the following year, we would be allowed to keep the winner’s transitional cup. After we won again, they told me that according to the rules, the cup can become permanent ownership only if someone wins three times in a row. When we did that, they concluded that it must remain a transitional cup, so they refused to give it to me again. They played me again.‘

The fastest brothers-in-law in the world

Erik Carlsson told such anecdotes without any bitterness. It is especially clear that he does not feel bitterness towards the British – he was married for decades to Pat Moss, one of the best rally drivers of all time. Her brother was the legendary Sir Stirling Moss, four-time world runner-up in Formula 1, the best driver who never won that title. Erik and Stirling were the fastest brothers-in-law in the world!

A fatigue that was never visible on Erik’s face

For decades, Carlsson was the most famous global ambassador of the Saab company, and for a long time he was in charge of overseeing most of the rally and racing projects. It is interesting that Saab Carlsson took the promotion of the car very seriously even during the racing days: “My co-driver and I always tried to shave and change our clothes several times during the rally. We had to look rested, it was part of the game. While others complained about the difficulty of the race, we’d say it’s a shame it wasn’t longer and harder. We said it convincingly and with a smile on our face, regardless of how we really felt. Such behavior drove many crazy.”

And of course, apart from the psychological advantage over the opponents, it also gave a great image of the cult Swedish car Saab 96, with which you could easily drive several thousand kilometers, win and come out of it smiling, rested and fresh as a rose.

In reality, the lack of power of the two-stroke engine compared to the competition meant that it had to be kept at high revs all the time, even in corners: that’s why Carlsson developed the technique of simultaneously holding the brake and gas pedals with one foot, characteristic of Scandinavian rally drivers. But this demanding driving without relaxing must have been the main reason for those flips on the roof. Fortunately, the car was so strong and light that they would often just put it back on the wheels and continue the rally.

Asked in an interview for his opinion on the best car ever produced, Erik Carlsson fired like a cannon: ‘Saab 96’. He was then asked what the best part of the model in question was, and he replied: ‘Well… It had a very solid roof…‘

Erik Hilding Carlsson, Mr. Saab, Swedish rally legend, died May 27, 2015.