updated October 2001

The Halda Speedpilot was an all-in-one mechanical rally computer introduced in the mid-1950s. Based on the speed set on one dial, internal gears drive an extra hand on the clock. The driver is supposed to keep the extra hand lined up with the minute hand to stay on "Pilot" time. Accuracy is only about 1/2 minute as a result.

The Speedpilot was popular in Europe where it was only necessary to arrive before your assigned time to keep from getting penalties. U.S. rallies were timed to the second, with penalites for being early as well as for being late, so the accuracy of the Speedpilot was insufficient to determine whether the rally team was on time.

The Speedpilot was standard equipment on the SAAB GranTurismo 750, a specially tuned competition version of the Saab 93 and Saab 96 from 1958 thru 1962. Saab built only about 600 GT-750s, most of which were sold in the U.S. They are quite rare today as many were turned into race or rally cars and were used up.

Following are reprints of several magazine articles and instruction manuals on the Speedpilot.

Speedpilot Mk. V

• A Most Accurate Average Speed Computer
  Reprinted from AUTOSPORT, March 9 1956.
• The Magic Box
  Reprinted from MOTOR RALLY, March 1956. Supplement to MOTOR RACING.
• Pilot Driving
  How to use the Speedpilot Sports Special as installed on the SAAB GT750
• Instructions on using the Speedpilot Mk. IV
  Next in the series.
• Instructions on using the Speedpilot Mk. V
  From a Burns Industries catalog, circa 1967
• Fitting Instructions
  How to install and adjust the Speed Pilot
• 1957 ad for the Halda Speedpilot
  from Sports Cars Illustrated, July '57.
• Speedpilot in the Saab GT750
  Part of the package on this 1950s performance model.
• 1960s brochure on Halda products
  Speedpilot, Twinmaster, Tripmaster
• Modifications for the Speedpilot
  Someone always comes up with an improvement.