A rare Saab 92 prototype, one of three surviving examples left in the world, will make its UK debut at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show, with Discovery, at Birmingham’s NEC from 23-25 March.
Chassis number 009, one of just 20 prototypes originally manufactured just after 1945 and registered for sale in 1949, will be on display alongside two other rare 92 models, both barn finds.
The other two surviving prototype remain in Sweden, 92001 in the Saab museum and 92003 with a private collector.
Saab collector and owner Martin Healey explains: “I bought the 92 through a classic car auction house in Chantilly, France. The car was from Sweden and I met the owner at the auction. He told me that as a young man, he had travelled to a Forrest mill in this 92 where he worked for the owner of the Saab. His work colleagues told him this man was an important person in Sweden and that the Saab was a very special car.
“The owner was a furniture designer, whose work is now highly sought after. The car had been locked away in a barn until he purchased it in 1997 and had used it ever since. Unrestored and painted grey from its original green when Saab sold it in 1949, it is in a usable condition but does need some work. The 92 will be restored in the future but I will leave it as it is for the show so everyone to see it’s history.”
The 92 prototype will be seen together with two other models that were discovered and make their final appearance ‘as found’ before heading into the workshop for restoration – Chris Hull’s 1953 Saab 92B and Sam Glover’s 1954 example.
Show director Lee Masters said: “The prototype is a real rarity but to have three of these models in this condition is something that enthusiasts may have never seen before.”
More barn finds can be found in the UK’s biggest collection of rediscovered vehicles – the Carole Nash Barn Find display. Aaround 20-25 barn finds, discovered in sheds and outbuildings around the UK are brought to the NEC. This year’s line-up includes an Austin A35, a 1960 Singer Gazelle, and a 1982 BMW 535i MSport.
At the other end of the vehicles’ life-cycle is the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership where 20 finalists will be looking to capture the hearts and the votes of the visitors. Cars range from a 1925 Ford Model T to a 2000 Noble with a fantastic mix in between for the visitors to choose from.
This year’s Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show, with Discovery, will be the biggest yet as Spring’s fastest growing car show continues to add more clubs with over 150 attending, bringing more live working and more restoration than ever before as well as 1,000 vehicles.
