#TBT | Want to race a Saturn? Here's some insider know-how.

Most people who own a television (read here: you) are probably pretty familiar with the Saturn product—a cute, reliable commuter car targeted at single buyers who like to have a free donut while their car is in for an oil change. You probably also know that these same Saturn owners are invited to retailer picnics, new owner clinics, and get …

Read the rest of the story

This speaks to me on a personal level

[Saturn: A cornerstone of my childhood that will never return]

Walker's red #34 ITA Saturn ended up in the hands of Jeff Lawton in CT, and we raced it up here for a while; it made an appearance at the ARRC in 2006.

Jeff subsequently sold it to Bill Stevens of Ohio who, I'm pretty sure, may still have it.

Some specs on the car at the below site (no longer maintained much).

https://kakashiracing.com/

I've had both too many and not enough saturns. They are the only car I've ever "collected em all" of, owning a Coupe, Sedan and Wagon all at the same time.

I'm seriously looking for a '95 wagon to restore and just tool around in an take to Radwood shows.

In reply to AClockworkGarage :

Saw a decent, probably 95, wagon around Poughkeepsie N.Y. area last week... It stood out as you just don't see them any more... Also saw a nice red suv I had to compliment the lady owner on... I'm a wagon fan in general, liked the big Ls also, good sized wagon and cool sedan.. The last edition sedans which were Opels were very handsome cars

The Alfa dealer I work at was a Saturn dealer in its previous life.  There are still plenty of old Saturn stuff floating around and a Saturn actually in the service drive as we speak.  I know this is all completely useless info but I just thought it was neat 

early SC2's make great Champcars.

JG had a good one–fast E Stock car, too. 

I may have missed it but didn't see anything about traction control.  Depending on the class you are running , this could be a problem accelerating out of slower corners.

On reliability, my experience racing a Saturn was not as rosy as the author's, caveat emptor!

I miss Saturn EVERY DAY.  here I am in 1993 with my 1993 Saturn SL2 5speed.  It was in Hawaii.

We bought a new SC2 in 1997. 4 wheel disc brakes with antilock and a five speed. I liked it so much a few years later I got another one. If you remember to check the oil between changes, it will keep going for years. We also loved the no haggle price at the dealers. No BS like the others.

I have numerous sets of Saturn Carbo Tech brake pads and rotors (all new) for a SC2 if anyone wants them! Free if you pick them up, just hated to throw them away!!!

I have trouble forgiving Saturn for their odd choice in styling.  Their idea of appealing to buyers was to take the clean good looking Pontiac Solstice and adding fake chrome gewgaws to it - 'vents' that were just stick on and didn't go anywhere etc.  There are advocates of each model, of course.

I still have feelings for a midnight blue '95 SL2.

There was a group of people back inna day who raced them in, I think, Improved Touring.  They did tests of underdrive pulleys on a chassis dyno.  What they found was that it made no difference in power, even with a run made with the belt completely removed!

Tech tip that I can divulge now, that I learned in my time at a Saturn dealership:  Pulling the trans involves removing the exhaust, popping the ball joints, unbolting the rack, dropping the subframe out...  Or you unbolt the master cylinder, swing it up out of the way, and R&R the trans up through the hood.  Shaves about eight hours from the job.

RIP sub 2500lb wagons 

Pulled from the stacks: JG’s Saturn SC2, a fast E Stock car at the time. 

EricM said:

 

I miss Saturn EVERY DAY.  here I am in 1993 with my 1993 Saturn SL2 5speed.  It was in Hawaii.

Too cool. My Dad was stationed in Hawaii in the late '80s/early '90s (though may have been mid '80s) with my mom before I was born. No Saturn then, but both had fond memories of living there.