Eric Carlsson

ERIC CARLSSON


Erik Carlsson, aka "Carlsson på taket" ("Carlsson on the roof"), was born on 5 March 1929 in Trollhättan and passed away today 27th May 2015

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Carlsson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKxRiP2RLQs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NHOD4Kd9jI

Fiercely loyal to SAAB he won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1962 & 63 and the RAC Rally in 1961, 62 & 63 often against much bigger cars.

I remember Eric taking us around Goodwood Race Track at some South Coast Motor Show many years ago in a SAAB 900?? There were two of us in the car with him and I was in the front passenger seat. All I can remember is him leaning into the B post driving one handidly whilst casually chatting to us both and it felt like we were on two wheels around most corners.

Then on a trip to Sweden to see the SAAB museum in Trollhaten a few years ago we got there and it was shut for a dealer conference. Fortunately the museum manager turned up and let us in as he knew my colleague a SAAB OC member in the UK. Then suddenly from behind the shop area and much too our surprise and delight Eric appeared and in his Swinglish said..what yer bloody doing yer ....and signed a few postcards we had just brought!!

As a lad he was the first rally driver people had heard of after all his exploits winning the Monte in that SAAB.

Eric always had lots of old stories to tell so much so that he had everyone in stiches at one Friends Evening at Beaulieu a few years ago.

He was a really nice man and a true gent of Rallying.

more on the C&SC website

http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/obituaries/rip-erik-carlsson-1929-2015

Another of the pioneers sadly passes away.

nice article though chris, another legend passes ....

Another pioneer of the sport gone RIP EC.

RIP Erik