Like most of you, I actively look for dozens of specific cars for sale online, and the offbeat Saab 96 is one of them. There’s something appealing about its functional shape, sheer quirkiness, and storied rally history with daring drivers such as Erik Carlsson and his wife Pat Moss-Carlsson. This specific example looks like a promising beginning for someone who shares a love for the 96 and doesn’t mind a little tinkering.
The 96 was in production for a long time with only minor visible changes to its appearance. My favorites are the ’66-’68 models, with their round headlights and clean eggcrate grille design.
The upside (or perhaps the downside if you like the ringing of a two-stroke) of this 96 is its engine. Well-known for its two-stroke three-cylinder, the Saab began to transition to the Ford-based V4 a year or two before this car was built. The V4 in our featured car was rebuilt at 70,000 miles (the listed odometer reading is 78,702); at that time, it also got a new fuel pump, clutch, and throwout bearing.
The seller claims that the only significant rust on the car is at the bottom of the doors. With the Saab’s simple curves and flat surfaces, a fairly competent metalworker could bend some lower door patches with little fuss.
If there is a downside to this particular Saab, it may be the interior: It’s mostly complete but will need some major freshening up if the new buyer wants a like-new car. The seller does mention that the front seats have been reupholstered, so if you’re OK with the pattern, a few cans of paint and some dash pad work may be good enough. Don’t forget the carpet!
A headliner is in order, too. On the plus side, the car comes with some spare parts, including a rear window gasket to replace the leaky/damaged one that is currently in the car.
The nice thing about cars like this is that they can be tailored to the buyer’s preferences. If I were to buy this car, I’d probably clean up the exterior, get the car on the road, and upgrade the interior as I drive. Someone who wants a nice 96 could also have a really good starting point, considering the lack of visible rust on this example. Either way, it’s currently for sale on eBay with a $2500 starting bid.
I recently informed our own Scotty G. of a Saab wagon on FB in Creed, CO. These are some of his favorite cars. Ever been to Creed, btw? Creepy place, and can’t drink the water. Anyway, someone has a ’68 wagon, about the same condition, they wanted $2,000, but has begun the “FB price slashing” and I bet a grand would get it. They claim it runs, but would have to be schlepped back, something the Jeep is clearly not up to. It’s been on FB for weeks, just not a lot of interest, as I speculate here too.
Time and time again, I think people would like a vintage Saab, but nobody is going to buy one in this condition. The wagon pretty much shows that. A quick search of Saab 96 parts reveals a lot of suppliers, so that shouldn’t be a problem. I wonder how busy those places actually are?
Spot on, H. If this were near me…like really close by…I’d run over there with $1000 cash and I’ll bet they’d take it…especially after they hear that it’s identical to my 66 96 first car….gray with red cloth interior…albeit the 2cycle/3cylinder version. Always wanted the V4 4 cycle. I’d replace the front drums with disc brakes to improve the poor braking, and clean it up. Fun car. Used to visit a friend at Vassar upstate from me and do donuts in their parking lots after it snowed.
It’s Creede, and he’s currently asking $1800.
Thanks, I wasn’t born here, some Wisconsin names may give you trouble as well. It’s been on FB a while, I bet 10 “Franklins” on the hood , they’d jump for joy.
I bought a used 1969 from the Northern NH Chevy dealer. The first owner was a local chicken farmer and the front wheels kicked up road dirt/gravel chunks. The tops of the fenders developed fist-size holes but those front fenders were easy bolt-ones and replacements available in the early 70’s. We also had tranny issues but the car was a blast to drive, freewheeling around in the snowy North Country. Today, no parking spot or time to wrench, but a 95 might be tempting…
I grew up with SAAB cars, I’m 70 now.
When the V4 came into play, the little beasties were like race cars by comparison to the old fun mosquito chasers!
Boy, these were fun cars. Rusted like crazy. I was a Saab guy in the seventies. Had four 99’s. For some reason, they did not rust. (Upstate New York) Had lots of other problems though. Funny thing: You would think a car built in Sweden would have an exceptional heater, but that just was not the case! Only way to get heat in the frigid winters was to completely block off the radiator w/cardboard. Loved my Saabs. Side note: Had a friend who worked at the Saab dealer and he used to ice race a 96. The hot setup was to install a v-6 out of a Capri. Same engine, just two more cylinders.
I lived in northern NH and Boston area and have owned either 5 or 6 SAAB 93 and 96 models – most with the 2-stroke. I I loved all of them except the one V-4, ( Actually I owned a 2nd V-4 – A SONNET III but it had body damage and I never got it on the road. With that 96 sedan, if the rear window seal was leaking EXPECT substantial rust in the window channel, which is a pain to repair. It is one of the problem areas on those cars. Also closely inspect the tops of the shock towers in the trunk and the mounting area of the rear trailing arms.
Hm, My husband and I used to ice race in Maine. Wouldn’t be surprised if we raced with your friend. We have 2 Saabs, a ’64 snub nose, 3 Cly. and a ’74 Sonnett, 4cyl. I would never say no to another 96, in decent shape. I don’t like the interior and would love to see the firewall/floor joint. I hate it when the nose and body are making a bend. Pain in the tuckas to weld.
I ice-raced a 57 Chevy 210 Wagon and a Corvair Monza but never reaced any of my SAABs
One of the SAABs I would like ti find is one pf the “Yellow Birds”. Never heard of them?? In 1967/8, SAAB had a few left-over 2 stroke engines. They dropped them into 96 Sedans and painted them all bright yellow. I expect they’re pretty rare.