MEET THE OWNER - ROBERT CRAWFORD AND HIS SAAB GT850

Fifty-five years ago, a 14-year old motor enthusiast named Robert Crawford was moderately awestruck by his father’s new car; a dark blue 96 ordered from the Ayr dealership Cambuslea Garage. At that time, Saabs had twice won the Monte Carlo Rally and the RAC Rally three times. Such was its impact that he bought a 96 of his own in 1968, which had to be sold to raise funds for his wedding.

And so, several decades later, Robert craved another 96. Moreover, it had to be the ultra-rare ‘Bullnose’ GT850 variant, and with a red paint finish. The original high-performance Saab saloon was the GT750, based on the 93 and made from 1958 to 1960. Two years later, the Sport/Monte Carlo (the last name was used in the USA, their principal market) featured a two-stroke three-cylinder engine that boasted triple Solex 34 BIC carburettors.

The Sport/Monte Carlo’s specification also included front disc brakes and five stud wheels with competition tyres while the well-appointed cabin featured a passenger head rest, a wooden rimmed steering wheel and a tachometer. Twin chrome stripes mainly distinguished the exterior, for this was a machine for the connoisseur.

Saab renamed the Sport as the ‘Monte GT850’ for the American market in 1963, and the brochure informed potential buyers how it differed from the typical (i.e. imported British) open two-seater. “It can beat a sports car. Yet couldn’t possibly disguise as one”. The copy also made a snide reference to “play Make Believe with a stick shift compact from Detroit”.

Indeed, the GT850 could never be confused with an MGB or a Triumph TR4. Furthermore, it was the diametric opposite to a Pontiac Tempest, a Buick Skylark or a Ford Falcon Sprint in terms of engineering. Nor were they destined to be familiar sights in the UK, mainly due to swingeing import duties and in 1965 Motor Sport noted: “One would have to be truly a two-stroke fanatic, and terribly keen on durability and an element of luxury, to pay £1,139 for a Saab Sport capable of 85 mph but only 21 mpg when a Mini Cooper S costing £778, also renowned for cornering power and stability, will give 96 mph and 30 mpg.”

1964 saw a significant facelift with a new ‘Longnose’ front, and in the following year, Saab rebranded the GT850/Sport as the Monte Carlo 850. A V4 powered model replaced the two-stroke versions in the 1967 model year, and production ended in 1968.

The sporting versions of the 96 were never exactly common sights when new, and Robert’s task was all the more formidable as the Bullnose GT850 was never officially imported into this country. However, he eventually learned of a red 1964 example that resided in New York State and that its owner was considering selling. Furthermore, it was believed to be the best unrestored GT/Sport in the world. Eventually, on the 4th March 2019, Mr. Crawford became its third owner, buying the Saab unseen.

The GT850, chassis number 213105/engine number 2458, was ordered by one John L. Pellinger of New York State in January of that year at the cost of $2,842. In 1973 he sold it to Bob Abels, the Sales Manager of Drake Street Motors, who kept it for another forty-six years. The Saab arrived at Felixstowe on the 17th June 2019, thereby doubling the number of GT850s in the UK. It was then trailered back to Ayrshire.

Somewhat incredibly, the Saab came with a brand-new replacement engine complete with a Lifetime Warranty. In the mid-eighties, Abels was aware that the factory was planning to cease building spare two-stroke units, so he bought one “just in case”. In terms of condition, the GT had been repainted in 1973, and Robert observes, “It’s a typical American 1970s respray which is not up to today’s standards but adds to the car’s history”. The first owner also specified a Blaupunkt radio.

Most importantly of all, the GT850 lived up to Robert’s dreams. Plus, it really did “Go Swift, Go Safe, Go Saab”.

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