7 replies to this topic

[Rainer Nyberg]

Something called Formula S is on sale at : http://www.sportscar.../01/scm-ads.php

66 SAAB FORMULA S, Indy car, functional art, hand-formed alum Indy body on 66 Saab Formula S chassis and drivetrain, special car, complete w/Halibrand Shrike, knock-off wheels and original Firestone tires, beautiful and unique $8,500. 805-466-1015. CA

Maybe somebody can explain what kind of category this car would be?

[FEV]

I found this pics of a 1965 Saab Formula S : http://members.aol.c...ges/earplug.jpg
Can't tell more but hardly an IMS contender Closer to a Formula 4, no ? Wonder where does the Indy mention comes from

[Rainer Nyberg]

Thanks, yes that is also what I think...

Looks more like a F4, and I know there were some SAAB-powered F4 during the mid 60s.

[carlos.maza]

Interesting.
Exhaust pipe suggests a two-stroke engine...
Is this a 96 family engine?
More details about this formula? What were Formula 4 specs?

Thanks

Carlos

[bobbo]

WAY BACK in the early - mid - '60s, a few fellows ran Saab 2 stroke powered open wheelers and sports cars in the Pennsylvania Hill Climb Association and, IIRC, they were all pretty darn quick. And LOUD!!

Bobbo

[karlcars]

Formula S was the brainstorm of Connecticut's Hank Rudkin, related I believe to the family behind the Pepperidge Farm products. It was a single-seater formula using Saab 2-stroke engines in which all the cars were the same, built by Rudkin's company. They were neat little cars with quite good performance.

I have a huge weakness for Formula S cars because I borrowed one from Hank to go to an SCCA drivers' school at Marlboro, Maryland. My aim at the time was to update my license so I could co-drive with Bill Wonder in his GT40 in a Daytona 24-hour race (!!!!!). The drivers' school went well and the S was great fun to drive and race but I didn't quite get the needed qualifications in time. Probably just as well!

[roger saretzki]

who has heard from BRUNO WERNLI in switzerland . does he build formula S cars as well ??

or does he drove them only ?

[ggnagy]

The moment someone says "formula S", and I think of the 'viral link' that made the rounds a whole back with the boy going "RING-din-din-din-ding" called the "smile test" or somesuch. I also think of the smell of 2-stroke oil, then I remember that the back yard needs mowed again. :

To be fair to the person advertising, he only said "indy body", and must have meant it in the generic bodystyle or type.

Currently, there is an unrelated "formula S" class in the US. In the past it has been used to define an open wheel only formula libre for the SCCA while the old A/Sports Racing class has served as the closed wheel one. These days, however, Formula S is morphing into a bike engined formula car class, with a combination of imported hillclimbers and converted Formula Fords.