Mr. Saab Celebrates 50th Anniversary of First RAC Rally Win

Rally legend Erik Carlsson, also known as Mr Saab, today celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first British RAC Rally win by being reunited with his co-driver, Stuart Turner, and a replica of the car that took them to victory.

Erik, who is now 81 years old and still working as a roving ambassador for Saab, was joined by the Saab 9-6, shipped over from the Saab Car Museum in Trollhättan. The vehicle will be displayed at the RAC Club in London for a week in honor of his achievements.

Carlsson won 50 years ago at the wheel of the small three-cylinder, 750 cc car, marking the first of a hat-trick of RAC victories. He went on to win the Monte Carlo rally twice, as well as the Acropolis and San Remo Rallies in the early 60s.

Co-driver Stuart Turner was a motor sport journalist at that time, and then achieved fame as international competition manager for BMC and Ford.

To mark the occasion, Saab Great Britain also announced the launch of a 280 hp, Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson model, a limited edition of which only 96 will be produced.

“This is a great occasion for me. It has been wonderful to see so many old friends again, including Stuart who did such a fantastic job reading the maps. I wouldn’t have won without his help,” stated Carlsson. “I also feel very honored to have a car named after me. Anyone who loves driving and is as passionate about Saab as I am, will be excited about getting behind the wheel.”