It’s a shame to think a company like Saab is effectively dead and buried (don’t start with their Chinese reincarnation, it ain’t ever going to be the same), especially when you can see the ingenuity that was baked into even their oldest vehicles. This 1967 Saab 96 is a very decent looking survivor, with what appears to be original paint and lots of other details that speak to a gentle life in North Canton, Ohio. Find it here on eBay with bids approaching $5K and the reserve unmet.
Despite living in Ohio, the seller says this cheerful 96 is free from rust of any kind and has its share of dents and bruises. The little details appear correct, with matching hubcaps, mudflaps and straight bumpers all projecting an air of completeness. I’ve always been impressed with the high levels of fit and finish from one of Saab’s earliest automotive forays, and even the few I’ve spotted in junkyards over the years still felt remarkably solid. I’m assuming, however, this 96 came from somewhere dry and sunny to have such an honest exterior.
The interior was also a high-grade affair, and the seat upholstery was recently re-done. Door panels are curious to me, as they don’t appear original but it could be the aftermarket speakers throwing me off. Regardless, they look a tad wrinkled and mismatched, so perhaps the seats wear a new color that isn’t factory-correct. The seller notes there’s a new dashboard for the next owner to gaze at, and the headliner is a bit weak in places. The steering wheel shows some worn surfaces but that’s to be expected.
The two stroke, three cylinder engine is said to hum nicely, and while not overly powerful, these were best suited as a small city car that could happily churn from block to block and made street parking a breeze. The seller notes new front and rear shocks installed by a prior owner, and that the four-speed manual shifts nicely. If the reserve is low, this seems like an easy decision for a fun classic to own with maybe even some room in the budget for improvements that won’t exceed the value of the car.
Door panels are 100% correct and do fit a 1967 car. The design is very nice because the line of the dashboard continu in the design of the doorpanel. It is a pity that someone has put in the aftermarket speakers. Very nice looking car.
Yeah, especially since the noise of the two stroke drowns out the radio. The motor is the music in this car. :)
This is a fantastic example. I haven’t seen a better 2 stroke since I had one in 1977. I took title of it after the owner towed it off of the highway and and left it at my repair shop. I gave him an estimate more than it was worth to fix the tranny that was locked up. After a year of sitting it started right up and drove on for 4 more years as if nothing was ever broken. I gave it to a friend who drove it another year and when the tranny locked up at a stop on the Blue ridge parkway he left it there. It was this green. Loved it.
I forgot to mention the owner had left a case of oil for the gas in the trunk! The original condition of this one is beyond belief.
Anything with an Edsel grille wins me every time.
That’s a beautiful little oiler. Very pristine from the looks of it…
I love these. Saw a 95 (wagon) in this same color on a rainy day in Boston just a couple of weeks ago! (And I mean, in the city!) Mine was a ’68 95 with the V-4 engine. It was a great little car. That door panel looks original to me. Mine looked just like that with the funny little circles. (No speaker though.)
Another Saab story.. Lol
So Saab, just plain Saab and pitiful.
Saabs were a great car, solid. A buddy of mine had one and was t-boned, the insurance co. totaled it out and he bought it back, fixed it and drove it a long time after that.
Ugly as a wart on tar but a really good car.
I’ve got 2 words for this post,,,Scotty,,,Gilbertson. (so much so, his avatar next to his name shows the 3 cylinder) Scotty, if I had the money, this would be on it’s way. ( I got news for ya’, if it had a V4, it would be on it’s way to my house) I’m a little indifferent about the “ring-ding”, not because it’s unreliable, liquid cooled 2 strokes can go for many miles, but it’s the lack of power for today’s roads, and does this have oil injection? Otherwise, pre-mix is a pain. Make no mistake, 2 strokes can be made to run, fast, but this, as is, is pretty lackluster.The V4 was a much better unit. If I’m not mistaken, ’67 was the last year for the 2 stroke, as it couldn’t meet 1968 US emission rules. For me, the coolest Saab made. Think they’d trade for a ’77 GMC?
For 1968 SAAB did sell a reduced displacement “SAAB Shrike: two stroke (800cc Vs 841cc) that was permitted by law, but the car sold poorly and was discontinued as a result. The V4 had 40-50 percent more power and pulled from very low revs, so it was easier to drive.
Sweet looking Saab 96. I had a neighbour when I was a boy who had one. I cannot remember what year his was, but it had the same body shape as this car. It’s a damn shame that Saab is no longer producing cars, for they produced some interesting and cool cars over the years.
Just google the ‘1962 and/or 1963 Monte Carlo Rally’ (in Europe) and be amazed at the heritage and ability of these humble wee cars…..in the right hands of course !
Nice period correct 67 96. My Dad bought a new 67 96 in 66 with the V4. Seat inserts were cloth with vinyl not being an option until 69 when they went to all vinyl. Door panels are correct but I would move the speakers since the panels need to be redone..
I agree. I’ve always loved this era Saab cars. I also like Saab 99 and 900.
How Swede it is!
Here’s a photo of the 1966 Volvo 122S I just re-commissioned in time for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Kickoff Rallye. I’m driving it from Columbus to P’burgh on Saturday, and the rallye is this Sunday. This will be my 4th P’burgh Rallye in various cars, and my lovely wife of 31 years is again my navigator (she is that in life too, so that’s a metaphor I guess).
Wish us luck!
Hi,
Just a short SAAB story.
In 1967 I bought a SAAB Shrike engined 96 with triple carbs and tuned
Exhaust. It was a very good road car. many trips from CA to ND to visit folks.
In 1967 I bought anew SAAB 96 shriek with triple carbs and tuned exhaust.
Drove it until 1990 then sold it in Billings MT.
Moved to ND in 69 and shortly bought an old 63 model 96 and restored it for my
Kids. They drove it to high school and college then it came back to me.
I then bought a 74 96 for my Daughter and a 74 Sonnet 97 for my son.
After college it came back to me again and I restored it back to new condition.
I still have it and drive every day.
Take care
Barry
Love the roar and corn popping sound of those engines.
I am slightly puzzled about some of the details. I was under the impression that ALL 1967 Two stroke saabs sold in the United States had an alternator (this car has a DC Generator instead), and this car has no oil injection. Instead you mix a quart of oil to every 7-8 gallons gas at fill up. Again I *thought* for the US market ALL the two strokes had oil injection. It is possible that an older motor was swapped in at some point (?) Overall the car appears to be in excellent condition… there are a few minor blemishes.. rust bubbles that suggest minor body work might be needed… but nothing serious I can spot from the photos.
Also for the 1967 model year and up, all US motor vehicles were required to have reverse lights. This car doesn’t have them (for a ’67 you should see two small rectangular white back up lights below the rear tail lights). It still MIGHT be a 1967 car, that has had the rear fenders swapped with an earlier model year, but this is clearly a “flag” that this car has had some major work done to it at some point.
This is THE car all the cool kids drove, when I was in high school!
I bought a new 1968 SAAB 96 w / 817 cc 2 stroke engine. A 96 C M. Replaced the weak original cultch w / one for a Monte Carlo / G T 850. Also installed a Monte Carlo exhaust. Sounded much better. I feel the SAAB 2 stroke was not a city car and that lugging killed it . The ball bearing crank loved to be revved. Top speed was 82 m p h. City cars also suffered from plugged up exhaust. A problem I never had. As part of routine maintenance we would drive the cars in second, throttle floored, until the heavy white smoke stopped. Also I never let it idle for more than a few minutes. If I was waiting for a train I would shut it off. It is unfortunate they had to use that boat anchor V 4. There are so many modern, light aluminum engines that would make a 96 a well balanced, fun car to drive.