A svelte Swedish mystery

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Given that everything you do not know is often more intriguing than everything you have known for ages, we love images like these, showing vehicles about which we know absolutely nothing. The pale red sports car seen in these photographs appeared in an advertisement on a Swedish website as far back as 2012 and left us completely stumped. Naturally, we saved the images on our computer, hoping that one day we would discover exactly what it was.

Fourteen years later, that day still has not come. Swedish registration data tells us that ‘GAR 727’ was first issued in 1961 and is powered by a 1.2-litre, 34hp flat-four engine. It features rear-wheel drive, a four-speed manual gearbox and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 33 seconds. We think it is safe to say that it was based on a Volkswagen Beetle — the exhaust tailpipes, wheels and characteristic negative camber only reinforce that assumption.

That, however, is where certainty ends, as most of the rest remains pure speculation. The rear lights appear to come from a Simca or perhaps a Fiat, but what about the screens, bumpers and brightwork? And then there is that svelte body — perhaps inspired by the Saab Sonett? Is it made of steel or fibreglass? The blanked-off air intake in the long front bonnet makes us suspect the latter. So, after all these years, who can help solve the mystery?

Words by Jeroen Booij
Pictures from the Jeroen Booij archive

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