1959 Saab 93

„Like nothing you’ve ever driven before!“

There’s a spot at Havana’s Playa del Este that has become a regular meeting point for a bunch of interesting people. As eclectic as their background stories is the mix of cars they bring along. This Saab 93, for instance, belongs to an Italian signore, who has become a longstanding resident on the island. We won’t challenge his reasons for living here, but he definitely has the style and personality that doesn’t pass unnoticed among the female population.

As does his little red Saab. If you think it looks quite tuned-up, you are right. Especially the flared wheel arches make the car look pretty sporty, and let the vintage design appear surprisingly modern.

Under the bonnet lurks a Lada engine, because it’s easy to maintain in Cuba, and with 77 hp, it’s much more powerful than Saab’s original 33hp 3-cylinder two-stroke engine. The interior is adapted from a modern Seat, as are wheels and side mirrors. Add some bellowing side pipes, and ready is a nice, sporty runabout. And with the stylish foreigner at the wheel, it becomes quite the local „chick magnet”, too.