I can’t imagine a vehicle today being made for two decades with basically no changes in the body style at all, other than minor tweaks with headlights or trim, etc. The seller posted it here on craigslist just north of beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The seller is asking $9,900 or best offer, and here is the original listing. Thanks to Tony P. for sending in this tip!
New vehicles seem to always get bigger, fatter, and wider (wait, those are the same thing) every few years, but this 1969 Saab 96 looks the same as almost every other one made between 1960 and 1980. The stark contrast between these two opening photos is a little surprising, it doesn’t even look like the same car. The first photo shows a bright red car with very shiny paint, and the photo above, not so much.
The seller says that there is no rust on this car and it has a very solid original body, but the paint needs help. If that’s the only issue with this car, their asking price of $9,900 or offer seems like a good buy. Hagerty is at $10,500 for a #3 good-condition car and a whopping $28,500 for a #2 excellent car. The next owner would surely have room to do a nice paint job and keep it under that price.
I didn’t expect to see seats this color, and I’m guessing that this car was originally white rather than bright red? There are some hints of white in a few areas in the photos, but doing a full-color change wouldn’t be cheap. I’d most likely just work with the red paint and drive this car the way it is now. The interior looks great for the most part. This car should have a four-speed manual and a column shifter. A four-on-the-tree doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as a three-on-the-tree.
The rear engine… hey, wait. Just kidding, of course, this Saab has a front-engine with front-wheel-drive, which is why they had such great traction in the winter. Sadly, the seller doesn’t bother to pop the hood to show us that engine, after saying that an extra engine is included with the sale. I believe that this car should have a Ford-sourced Taunus 1.5-liter V4, which would have had 65 hp, but the seller says that it has a 1.7-liter engine, so maybe the “extra engine” is the original 1.5-liter? Who knows. This car is a bit of a mystery, which may explain why it’s still for sale ten days after the ad went up. At this price, it should have been snapped up by now. Any thoughts on this one?
Are we seeing Canadian dollar pricing here?
That’s a great question, Doone!
I owned 2 SAABS a 82 Turbo and a 95. Both were great cars but with a multitude of problems and most USA mechanics had no clue. Once I was in nowhere-land Florida and the ignition failed. It turned out a harness had jiggled loose from a fuel pump located under the back seat. 😳
These cars were derived from SAAB aircraft and JETS. They never get the respect they deserve but as snow cars, best ever made!
jv – smash palace
Modern pickup trucks, like the RAM haven’t changed in a long time, and well overdue, I might add, VW bugs, of course, what it shows, is that the style was good enough and no need to change. I guess the opposite of planned obsolescence. Again, in the 60s, there were such nice foreign cars, Americans wouldn’t know about unless their Buick ran into one. The Saab was simply one of the best, least appreciated ones. While it’s “Borne from Jets” motto is a bit much, it sent a message, not that Americans knew the quality of a Swedish jet. Like saying GM made tanks, but that didn’t necessarily translate to their cars. Trucks maybe, point is, great cars, and for a spell, nobody wanted these, and at 5 figures today, out of reach of many, and a shame. For like half this price, it would be a great car to have. I believe Saab was the 1st with standard seat belts, that usually stayed crumpled up under the seat. I agree, ” 4-on-the-tree” doesn’t have the zing, and “column shift” is good enough. Now, where is reverse??? A bit of a mystery, as I happen to know. A Saab 93 was the very 1st car I drove. Anyone?
Forward and down, baby…forward and down for reverse!
I have owned 3 SAAB’s. They out performed the 3 Japanese autos that I’ve also owned. I had more problems with the Japanese autos.
Easiest Saab to work on was my 2001 SAAB 9-3 turbo. I could do maintenance on my own and fun to drive!!! I still own it. 2010 SportCombi is a little more challenging but still easy. Both are still running great with little or no problems!!!
I have owned 3 SAAB’s. They out performed the 3 Japanese autos that I’ve also owned. I had more problems with the Japanese autos.
Easiest Saab to work on is my 2001 SAAB 9-3 turbo. I could do maintenance on my own and fun to drive!!! I still own it. 2010 SportCombi is a little more challenging but still easy. Both are still running great with little or no problems!!!
I have owned 3 SAAB’s. They out performed the 3 Japanese autos that I’ve also owned…..had more problems with the Japanese autos.
Easiest Saab to work on is my 2001 SAAB 9-3 turbo. I can do maintenance on my own and fun to drive!!! I still own it. 2010 SportCombi is a little more challenging but still easy. Both are still running great with little or no problems!!!
I have owned 3 SAAB’s. They out performed the 3 Japanese autos that I’ve also owned…..had more problems with the Japanese autos.
Easiest Saab to work on is my 2001 SAAB 9-3 turbo. I can do maintenance on my own and fun to drive!!! SAAB 2010 SportCombi is a little more challenging but still easy. Both are still running great with little or no problems!!!
I’m counting here that you have owned 12 SAABS …LOL
We are the Skyler. Resistance is futile.
https://www.nettiauto.com/en/saab/96?id_country%5B%5D=73&chargingPowerFrom=&chargingPowerTo=
Prices are increasing in Finland as well.