The Saab Granturismo (also Monte Carlo and Sport) was a series of up-powered sedans sold by Saab Automobile AB from 1958 to 1968. They were powered by three-cylinder, two-stroke engines until the 1967 model year. Most variants were distinguished from the standard model by twin metal stripes along the rocker panels.
Saab 93-based variant
The Granturismo 750 was a performance version of the Saab 93, which was introduced at the New York International Auto Show in 1956 and produced until 1960. The Saab 93 offered seat belts in 1958, which only became required on US models in 1973.
The Granturismo model shared multiple features in common with the standard model, including front drum brakes. Upgraded features included a wood-rim steering wheel, a Halda Speedpilot timing device (used in rally racing), sport seats, driving lamps and metal trim along the rocker panels. Rear-hinged doors were offered on the 1958 model year only. Of the 600 Granturismo 750s built in 1958 and 1959, 546 were exported to the US.
Its augmented-output Saab two-stroke engine featured a 9:1 compression ratio, a two-barrel Solex carburetor, a tuned exhaust system, and twin fuel pumps to develop . An optional twin-carburetor Saab Competition tuning kit boosted engine power boosted to . The engine gave most power at high revs, 3400 to 5000 rpm. Engine lubrication was supplied by mixing two-stroke oil with the gasoline in the fuel tank at a three-percent ratio. The gearbox had three speeds. In order to overcome the problem of lubrication for the two-stroke engine when the rpm exceeded that required by the throttle setting (owing to the reduction of oil being delivered with the fuel), a freewheel device was fitted.
- Production ended in 1968.