Rolf Mellde

Who was Rolf Mellde?

Rolf Mellde was an engineer specialized in engines and a car racing enthusiast.

His grandfather August Johansson built one of the first cars in Stockholm and sold it to Lars Magnus Ericsson. His father, Evald Johansson, taught car mechanics at a school in Stockholm so it was natural that Rolf Mellde would work in the same field. Already at the age of ten he drew turbo compressors and diesel engines.

After finishing his basic education he studied thermodynamics for two years at the Stockholms Tekniska Institut under Folke Mannerstedt and Nils Gustafsson.

His first job was at Bergbolagen in Lindesberg that made engine powered inspection trollies. After that he worked two years at Skandiaverken in Lysekil working with two stroke boat engines. Then he started working at SAAB in September 1946 and was put in charge of engine development.

In Skarpnäck in 1948 he started his competition career in a DKW. When he became head of testing he suggested that SAAB should participate in automotive competitions to show what the engines could do and in 1950 SAAB entered the Rikspokalen and won big. Up to 1961 and the final Rikspokalen SAAB won five times.