SAAB Mayo P1: The Forgotten Swedish Supercar

Forgotten GEMS - In the world of automotive legends, few brands evoke as much loyalty and admiration as SAAB. Known for its steadfast reliability, this Swedish icon has built a dedicated following across the globe. But amid the many myths that swirl around the automotive industry, one particularly intriguing story stands out — that of the SAAB Mayo P1. This car, which could have been a worthy successor to the SAAB Sonett, had the potential to shine as a Swedish super sports car, competing with the fastest vehicles of its era.

The SAAB Mayo P1, built on the SAAB 9000 platform, was a collaboration between Leif Mellberg and Sune Envall, making its public debut in 1991. (Picture from: SAAB Blog)

The story behind the SAAB Mayo P1 begins with a serendipitous encounter between Sune Envall, an industrial designer, and Leif Mellberg, a renowned car builder. Sune, brother of famous SAAB designer Björn Envall, initially approached Mellberg to renovate an MG TV. But through their collaboration, they realized they shared a mutual passion — the dream of building their own Swedish super sports car. This dream eventually culminated in the creation of the Mayo P1, a car that would have carried SAAB’s legacy into the world of high-performance sports cars.

In the picture above, you can see the Mayo P1's first model from the late 80s, with its most striking features being the gullwing doors and Ferrari-like elements, including the red color and various design details. (Picture from: SAAB Planet)

Sune Envall had a deep love for design, having started his career in Sigvard Bernadotte’s legendary design studio. His passion for cars, motorcycles, and ships helped fuel his drive to create something truly unique. When Sune and Mellberg crossed paths, their combined expertise sparked the beginning of a project that would forever be associated with the Mayo P1. Mellberg, well-known for his concept cars like the SAAB Gullwing, brought his own creative flair to the partnership. Together, they embarked on building a super sports car that would be distinctly Swedish, naturally incorporating components from SAAB, thanks to their connections in Trollhättan.

Constructed from sheet metal, the SAAB Mayo P1 prototype was designed based on 1:5 scale models tested in wind tunnels to enhance aerodynamic efficiency. (Picture from: BilSport)

Interestingly, the car was initially supposed to be named "Maya" as a playful reference to the Mayan civilization, which, despite its many innovations, never invented the wheel. However, a mix-up in a German newspaper led to the car being named "Mayo" instead, a name that ultimately stuck. Adding to the drama, a letter from Bolivia even threatened dire consequences if the creators didn’t pay a large sum for using the name "Maya." Thus, "Mayo" became the final name of this extraordinary car.

Sune Envall, an industrial designer, and Leif Mellberg, a renowned car builder posed along with their car creation, the SAAB Mayo P1. (Picture from: CarsNeverMadeItEtc)

Constructed using sheet metal, the SAAB Mayo P1 was an impressive prototype. Its design was based on 1:5 scale models tested in wind tunnels to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. Notably, the car’s retractable rear-view mirrors could improve the top speed by three to five kilometers per hour. This attention to detail showed just how much thought went into every aspect of the vehicle’s design. 

The SAAB Mayo P1’s striking "pot red" color, humorously named after Sune’s wife’s favorite potato pot, added to the car’s uniqueness. (Picture from: BilSport)

The engine, a 16-valve 2.3-liter turbo from SAAB, was a key component of the Mayo’s power. With increased charge pressure, it produced 285 horsepower, propelling the car to a top speed of approximately 300 km/h.

The SAAB Mayo P1’s interior features a three-spoke steering wheel, driver-centered dashboard, stylish central console, and ergonomic seats with gray and tan covers, all of which enhance the car's aggressive look while showing minimal wear. (Picture from: SAAB Planet)

The Mayo P1’s striking "pot red" color, humorously named after Sune’s wife’s favorite potato pot, added to the car’s uniqueness. The vehicle was set to be publicly revealed in 1991, and Mellberg, had plans for a limited run of 20 cars. Unfortunately, despite the excitement surrounding the project, only one Mayo P1 was ever built. Economic challenges at the time, coupled with the high cost of producing the vehicle — around 1.5 million SEK in 1991 — meant that the dream of mass production never came to fruition.

Powered by a 16-valve 2.3-liter turbo engine from the SAAB 9000, the SAAB Mayo P1, with increased charge pressure, generated 285 horsepower, enabling a top speed of approximately 300 km/h. (Picture from: BilSport)

What happened to the sole prototype remains a mystery. Some speculate that it crashed and burned, while others believe it was purchased by an Arab sheikh or even ended up in the possession of a deep pocket lawyer in Stockholm. Despite these rumors, no one truly knows where the car is today, leaving the SAAB Mayo P1 shrouded in intrigue.

Notably, the SAAB Mayo P1’s retractable rear-view mirrors, which could boost the top speed by three to five kilometers per hour, highlighted the meticulous attention to detail in the vehicle’s design. (Picture from: BilSport)

The story of the SAAB Mayo P1 is one of ambition, innovation, and unfulfilled potential. Although it never saw mass production, the car still holds a special place in the hearts of those who know its story. It serves as a reminder of what could have been — a super sports car from Sweden that might have challenged the fastest vehicles of its time, leaving a lasting mark on the automotive world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BILSPORT | SAAB PLANET | SAAB BLOG | SAABCLUBCOUK | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC ]

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