Saabs are, well, different, especially the earlier cars. Barn Finds reader Rocco B found us this interesting Saab 95. It looks more like a candidate for a LeMons race so the first glance is certainly not promising.. It’s listed here on craigslist for $3,000 so perhaps it’s worth a look. The paint scheme is described as “special” and the car as “award-winning”. There are many positives, though, really there are. It has a freshly rebuilt engine and a long list of other mechanical work performed. Two running engines are included as well as a couple of transmissions for parts. It’s a California car and does not appear to have any rust issues. And folks, average low retail on these little wagons is over $9,000, and average retail for nice driver quality cars is over $20,000. You say you don’t like two-stroke engines and remembering to mix oil with your gas? 1967 is the first year Saab used a Ford Taunus V4 engine in place of the little 3 cylinder 2 stroke engine. So, no more coasting down hills in freewheel to avoid seizing the engine due to lack of lubrication.
The inside sure looks better than the outside. It could use a good cleaning but otherwise looks quite usable.
Here’s the roomy rear facing seat. You’d think the seller would at least remove at least some of the bigger pieces of trash.
Here’s the little V4 Ford engine. This engine was a familiar sight under the hood of a number of Fords built for the English market. It could use a lot of cleaning and perhaps a proper air cleaner, but everything else seems to be in order. I don’t see any obvious signs of collision damage to any of the structure under here.
One matter of concern is those license plates. California historic plates are to be used solely to display the vehicle in parades, car shows and such. The California DMV site says in one place they are reserved for cars from 1961 and older. Also, how can it also have an Arizona historical plate? Can you register a car in two states? These are very desirable little wagons to lots of Saab folks. It could make a nice driver if you could figure out what to do with the paint. It doesn’t appear to have lived a sheltered life, so there may well be lots of other work needed. The front fenders and hood don’t match the rest of the car, so it seems likely it has had its nose crumpled and repaired. This Saab has lots of possibilities, but it will take a close look to see what they might be.
I believe this wagon is owned by Walter @ Right Solution. I’ve seen it in person. It’s a beautiful car.
Did you archive the ad? It’s been deleted by the author?
Steve R
Got to be quick with these. Just my favorite small wagon, and apparently, I’m not alone. VERY hard to find these days. The thing I always wondered, for a car that touted safety ( I believe they were the 1st with shoulder harness belts) didn’t have any head restraints. What, no rear enders in Sweden?
Do not believe the Taunus V4 was ever used in the English market. The similar but different Essex V4 was built in the UK for its market.
Interesting factoid, those tail lights were also used on the Porsche 904. Buying a NOS pair is very pricey.
That was a cheap price for one of these in good condition. No wonder it’s gone
These are wonderful little cars. Cruise all day at 80, solid as a rock. Can seat seven people. Just fantastic. Had mine from college up through six kids! Wish I still had it.
yep, add gone, wish we archived 1.
Wheels look like Sonet’s, didn’t the hoods open’ backwards’ on the 95 w/the radiator near the passenger’s compartment (our firewall)? May B that’s the Sonet too.