The Reynard 853/SAAB

Background:

Concept work leading to the first F3 Reynard started in the summer of 1983 and design work in 1984, leading to the completion of the first car early in 1985. It was laid down with a view to production in quantity and it had the first unitary carbon fibre/composite monocogue laid out with that in mind. The monocogue shell weighed just over 18kg (40lb), before bulkheads, mounting plates and roll-over hoop were bonded in.There was an aluminium floor panel and a controversial nose box. Inboard pushrod suspension was used all round (designed to shear away from pick-up points on impact, to minimize hull damage). The 853 was designed to take a range of engines. Most cars had VW-based engines, but in an effort that turned out to be a footnote, albeit an interesting one, Saab engines were run in some series, and at least the engine supplier saw Thomas Danielsson win the Swedish series.

Conception and fabrication:

Engine: B202, 2000cc 16V DOHC unblown. (SAAB in Sweden and US).

Power: Approx. 160 BHP @ 5 800 rpm

Engine electronics, ignition system: SAAB Direct Ignition (developed by Mecel AB)

Transmission: Hewland MK9, 5 speed.

Wheels: (originals still missing, though)

Brakes:

Dampers:

Some pictures:
(click on the images to get a larger view)


I also have some photo's from '85, and will try to get them scanned so I can put them here too.
Just some samples:

The drivers were Maurizio Sandro Sala and Anthony Reid as Madgwick Motorsport regular drivers, and they were really nice guys when I met them during the SAAB F3-year of 1985.