The SAAB Grand Turismo 750, a luxurious sports version o f the standard SAAB 96 and 93. At the New York Automobile Show of April 1958, Saab exhibited a car that they called the Gran Turismo 750 – a sporty and luxurious model that was pitched specifically at the growing US market. The GT750 had twin carburettors and the engine had been tuned to develop 50hp.
The Granturismo is a hotter version of the 93 and 96 series which the SAAB people modestly state “may readily be tuned up for competition purposes.” “Race on Sunday, sell on Monday” – It’s an age-old mantra in the auto industry, a tactic that has been used to sell cars since the earliest days of personal transport. Enthusiasts like to watch racing and maybe even race themselves, so seeing cars like theirs flung around this circuit or that fuels passion. Looking back over Saab’s sporting history, most would agree it probably peaked in the rallying days of the Saab 96 Sport. The 96 era ended in 1971… Saab Grand Turismo 750 belonged to that era.
Its principal differences are a specially tuned engine with an increased compression ratio and super accurate timing. In its primary form it doubles in brass as a smart family sport car with that little extra zip over the other members of its family, but no sacrifice of any of the customary SAAB safety and comfort. The front seats-which, incidentally, are equipped with safety belts-are adjustable to 14 positions, right down to providing sleeping accommodation for the passenger. The arm rests of the rear seats have roomy built-in pockets for thermos flasks and sandwiches.
comfort.
New instrumentation included a Halda Speedpilot and a wooden steering wheel with three aluminium spokes. Standard equipment includes tachometer, extra large brakes, competition tires, racing type wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a fascinating device known as the Halda Speed Pilot which literally takes the worry out of rally driving and can be slated to fill the rumpus room with trophies. The 750 has a 4-speed gearbox, and a special type of clutch lining designed for rugged going. An appropriate touch which adds a note of distinction is the red painted 750 engine.
if you wanted to convert your 750 to a “Super” Granturismo, then you could get a special tuning kit at any SAAB dealer at taht time. But your car must be carefully run in before the engine is tuned. An optional engine tuning kit made it possible to convert the car to a GT750 Super with an engine output of 55hp.
The “Super” tuning kit contained the following:
- Carburetor, twin throated Solex 44 PII
- Extra fuel pump with hose and pipe connections
- Intake manifold
- Modified front muffler
- Exhaust pipe of larger diameter
- Throttle sshaft extension
- Air filter
Engine power could have increased by some 20% if the owner had integrated this tuning kit and these components. Before going to the start of a racing event, your SAAB should be thoroughly checked over.
As you can see, from all of the above, The GT750 Super was more sports car than family car.
