Want to play Eric Carlsson, but still get groceries? This slightly modified 1973 Saab 96, advertised here on craigslist for $8995, might fit the bill. Located in Truckee, California, this car could be driven to your garage one day and rallied the next. Modifications have boosted horsepower, and the car even comes with a set of studded tires mounted on steel wheels for ice racing (’tis almost the season!). We’ll delve into what makes this car not only special but a bit of a bargain too. Meanwhile, we owe ToddK a nod for the tip – thanks!
The Saab 96 followed the successful 92 and 93. Evolving the original design by Sixten Sasson, the new car received a larger rear window, a longer front end, and a repositioned radiator. Launched in 1960 with a three-stroke engine (Saab’s typical idiom in those days), the 96 quickly gained favor in auto sports. It wasn’t powerful, but it was tough and reliable; in capable hands, it won many rallies. Later, two-stroke motors lost favor and Saab switched to the Ford Taunus V4, first displacing 1.5 liters, and later 1.7. Unfortunately, the listing doesn’t include engine photos, but we are told the engine is a 1.7 from a ’72 Saab, with a Weber carburetor, Perlux pointless ignition, and a straight exhaust. These changes have boosted horsepower from about 65 to 85. This motor has traveled about 46,000 miles; reportedly, compression tests show a steady 150 lbs in each cylinder. This example also sports a four-speed column-shift manual transaxle driving the front wheels.
Interior photos are not available either, except for this trunk shot. The seller does note that the headliner has been removed and the remainder of the interior is original, as is the paint. The seller assures us the car has no rust. Saab’s innovations included headlamp wipers introduced in the Swedish market in the early 70’s; these were an extra-cost option elsewhere. Heated front seats were offered starting in 1972, and soon crept onto the “standard features” list for many cars.
The standard wheels have been replaced by the Sonett “soccer ball” type – a great look. The lenses are clear and the chrome is mostly straight. The body panels are clean and well-gapped. While this car isn’t perfect cosmetically, similar cars sell for considerably more than this seller’s asking price. Here’s a price point at $14,250, and another at $14k on the dot. Someone will snag a good deal on this clean California Saab.
Pretty sure you meant three-cylinder two-stroke instead of “three-stroke,” though I admit that there’s something fascinating about splitting the four-stroke/two-stroke difference.
I owned 2 ,1973 , and 1970. Great cars , with the free wheeling lever down by the gas pedal.
You are correct! Sorry….
I’ve had a ’67 back in the ’70s and have never forgotten the short time I had it.
There certainly aren’t many left as nice as this one!
A friend of mine owned one and it was fun to drive! It is probably one of the cutist and ugliest (both) cars of all time! I am in the middle but prefer the positive side!!
lub ’em.
Frugal, smart, ol maid aunt (gee I loved her) had several (93 1st, then this model) in Hagerstown, MD as new purchases. Probably odd as her (inspector at MacDonald/Douglass airline plant). I was 10 (the 96) so noticed but not too attentively.
My fav (sez “Mr. Wagonman”) is of course the monticarlo, the waggy that won all the european rallies. All the lghts on frnt, the ol style roof rack, really wanna play w/ANY bent 4. This 1 went on to become the bent6 (essex) in my ford fox wagon 10, 15 yrs later~
Found a Monte Carlo 850 in a junkyard one time, thought the SAAB fans would eat up the parts. Stripped the triple Solexes, intake manifold, linkage, and air cleaner. Gave the parts away if buyer paid for freight.
Lovely looking car. I had a neighbour when I was a boy who owned one just like this. Same colour, etc. At the time, I didn’t find it attractive, particularly from the side and from the rear of the car. Today, I see one and I just cry “S-s-s-aaaab!” :)
No “corn popping ” with this one. Your neighbors would appreciate it.
Boy this is so tempting if only I had room…drive as is and just add a couple of Cibie spots and off to the next Breakfast Club Rally…(and give my 56A Porsche a break from Rally duty).This will see fast IMHO..
When I think of Carlsson,I don’t think of this model,
I think of the two-stroke one.
Of course,you might be thinking of Satch Carlson.
My BIL had a 850 Monte Carlo which was a wonderful and responsive all weather car. Recaro seats great cruiser. Eric Carlson going all out through Alps during Monte Carlo Rallye: Navigator says: Eric, please keep on the road; if we go off here our clothes will be out of style before we hit bottom.
Love it. So much character for little money
Nice little Sabb and the price sure seems reasonable. I agree with Malcolm on the Cibies. While you’re at it change out the sealed beams for the euro spec 7 inch conversions and don’t forget the gravel guards. My biggest question for the seller is how do you get 20 hp. From a muffler delete, and a purlux ignition system?
I only own 4, a 1977 99GL 5-door, a 1984 900 3-door Turbo 5-speed, a 1991 3-door 900S with A-t, & a 1989 CV 5-speed. What is my daily driver?
The 2004 Toyota Camry! Something has gotta go!
Funny thing about Saabs. I had four 99’s and every one of them had terrible heaters. You’d think a car built in Sweden would have a killer heater? The only way I could get any heat was to completely block off the radiator with cardboard. And, no, the thermostat was not stuck open. They just ran too cool.
I considered buying an early model in the late 70’s and I agree.. for an American they definitely did need a heater upgrade, but to the Swedes where the average summer temp is under 70 degrees and they get used to extreme cold these were probably delivering a very reasonable temperature.
If only more pics were posted. It would’ve been nice to see the engine, the boot of the car, the interior, etc. Just 10 pics, showing all exterior of the car, just not okay. I would think most people would like to see as much of a car as possible. I know I would.
As to the 99 heater comment….I have two 99s…a ’77 GL and a ’78 Turbo, and the heat could move you right out of the car. Either roll down the window or turn down the heat or you start to sweat. There is a lever against the firewall that you have to move…..if I recall, it’s UP for winter and DOWN for summer. If you don’t move this lever, you’ll have weak-to-no heat.
Every Saab I own has absolutely glacier melt heat, which is welcome 9 months out of the year here in the mountains of New Hampshire.
Saabs were quite an item in northern New England in the 60s-80s. The first one I saw was a 2-stroke (of course) that my Dad’s coworker had in about 1960. It was a strange beast, although not so much as the Isettas with the door in front. I drove several 99/900s owned by college friends and my brother. The dealer in Skowhegan, Maine, (now Cold Brook) was a prime resource. Subarus began to encroach on Saab’s “good car in the winter” territory. GM then took over SAAB, melded it into their own messes (Saturn, etc.), and put them out of the car business. They deserved a better fate.
A girl cousin taught me to drive a stick when I was around 13. Over the years I wondered if her saab really had 4 on tree. Now I know!!
Many years ago I attended a Saab demonstration day at Goodwood race track, Eric Carlsson drove me round the circuit in a Saab 9000 from memory, he had his arms folded across his chest the whole time and we were shifting, I thought the mud flaps were rubbing on the ground on fast corners, the car did not have any mud flaps….