1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

The article says this was an in-house design exercise by Saab, with the only comment in the text about the windows calling them "toll-booth window lifts". It was based on the 900 Turbo. This was from 1984, so around the time of the Delorean.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...V-1+cover.jpeg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z...EV-1+rear.jpeg

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

Pretty cool. Front end is kind of ugly.

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

Front end, typical Saab design, the rest an eerily pre-SVX design exercise. Good find Rod.
Gene

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

The shape reminds me of this Saab, the Sonnet:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_szY6czURhx...llpaper_03.jpg

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

The Wikipedia pictures is even more:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../Saab_EV-1.jpg

Cockpit like glass-to-glass canopy, integrated lipspoiler, distinctly wedge shaped and aerodynamic wheels..... Wikipedia credits "The design was made by Björn Envall".

Same Envall worked alongside Giugiaro on Saab 9000 which was released in 1984. Given the time aspect, one could imagine Envall moving directly from the 9000 onto the EV-1 project, strongly influenced by one of the world's top car stylists.

When studying the picture, you can suddenly see the heritage of the Merak and Bora. Benefits and drawbacks of split windows were acutely known to Envall based on Giugiaro's experience with DMC-12. What Envall does very well with the EV-1 is providing rounded lines that are not really seen as "popular" until many years later (the organic rounding of the 90s). Envall then progresses to fine car styling later on, eventually working with / mentoring Bård Eker who in turn goes on to design the Koenigsegg.

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

They are way too small. Imagine getting a bag through it at the drive through. Do they flip or roll down ?
I loved the Sonnet .until I drove it.....

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

We don't do much drive through in Europe. And never, ever, evernever in a sports car :) You cannot fully enjoy clipping an apex with the smell of a Quarterpounder in your nostrils :cool:

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

Here's a nice photo from http://www.conceptcarz.com

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E...oncept-001.jpg

And it was even in the 1989 movie Back to the Future Part 2:
http://www.imcdb.org/i020254.jpg
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_20254-SAAB-EV-1.html

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

So probably Giugiaro was like "Hey Björn, I know some Hollywood guys that can iconize your car" ? :)

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

That's a great photo Rod. Regarding the Back to the Future shot, I cracked up seeing a VW Beetle. What other car will never go away until the earth melts?:lol:
Gene

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

With all their for site they could not imagine every man woman and child would have a cell phone attached to their ear. And No Wi Fi

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

The more pictures I see the more I like it.

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

Pretty sure they're still making the "old beetles" just for certain markets such as Mexico. (Thought they may have finally stopped in more recent years) There are many other cars still being produced that are long gone here such as MKII Jettas and quite a few other models. It's quite comical seeing an MKII Jetta be made to look more modern.

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

When I visited Panama, I noticed the same thing - You could buy a new B13 Nissan Sentra (like $4k), or a new B15 Sentra from the same dealer. And the B13s were updated a bit, and just looked different because they hadn't aged yet. It really makes so much sense. Think how many people need just a simple car that's reliable and gas efficient, those fill the role perfectly.

Re: 1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows
 

Maybe if Saab had put it into production, they might not have gone belly up. As I recall, GM made their first investment in Saab around the time of the EV-1. Too bad there wasn't more money (and guts?) for R&D. It would have been interesting to see how a production EV-1 would have compared to the SVX. I had a Saab 9000 and then a 9-5 -- both turbos. Still two of my more favourite cars. My best turbo, though, was my STi. Saab and Subaru did eventually hook up with the unlamented 9-7. They really did lose their direction under GM.