Year/place: Mid 50s - mid 60s, Linköping

ASJ stands for AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna ('Swedish Railway Workshops'). As you understand, their main customers were railway companies.

In the mid 50s ASJs Karosseriverkstäderna (coach workshop) in Katrineholm built four buses, ordered by the swedish bus company Linjebuss. The first bus was finished in 1954.

About the same time Saab very secretly built a sports car prototype, presented as Saab Sonett Super Sport at a car show in Stockholm 1956. Five more prototypes were built by ASJ in Katrineholm.

This is number 5 of the 6.

The project didn't lead to production. One of the prototypes was later rebuilt, and became Facett (see Facett).

(See Saab for more about the first Sonett cars.)

More
When Saab started a new sports car project in 1963, named Catherina, ASJ in Katrineholm built a new prototype.

It is based on parts from Saab 96, and has a coupé body designed by Sixten Sason.

This time the project led to production. But, Saab chose to produce their sports car Saab Sonett II based on the prototype from the company MFI instead, although the test drivers considered the Catherina better to drive and also having a more attractive design.

A second Catherina only got to drawings.

ASJ then made drawings for another Saab sports car. The result is said to have been very attractive, but it didn't change Saabs earlier decision. However, the order for the Saab Sonett production went to ASJ in Arlöv.

ASJ Katrineholm later planned for another sports car. This should have a tube chassis, and a drive line with a Volvo engine and the same rear axle as in Borgward Isabella. But, it never got longer than drawings.

2000-12-03. www.konditori100.se. Text/pictures: Arne Granfoss ©. Prod: AG Informice